Peter Coutu, Business Insider

Peter Coutu

Business Insider

Norfolk, VA, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Business Insider
  • The Virginian-Pilot

Past articles by Peter:

Top tech lawyers reveal the biggest legal mistakes that startup founders make — and how to avoid them

Startup problems can often be traced back to simple errors early on. Insider spoke to lawyers who shared their top tips for avoiding legal trouble. → Read More

4 legal recruiters share their predictions for 2022: In another busy year, tech practices will be especially hot

Insider spoke with legal-industry insiders to learn what's in store for 2022. Here's what they said. → Read More

How Family Dollar kept worker lawsuits hidden from public view

Family Dollar workers said they put in 80-hour weeks, slept in chairs, and found snakes in stockrooms. Their complaints have been secret until now. → Read More

The weird ways law firms push lawyers out instead of firing them

In most of corporate America, getting fired happens in a quick meeting with HR. But not at Big Law firms, where "stealth layoffs" are common. → Read More

How to transfer into a top law school after your first year: admissions officers and a student who switched to Harvard share tips on nabbing a coveted spot

Law schools typically accept transfer students in the spring. Here's how much grades matter, and why your personal statement can be critical. → Read More

The 29 lawyers leading billion-dollar M&A deals for companies like JPMorgan Chase, Disney, and Microsoft

High-stakes mergers and acquisitions come with big fees tied to blockbuster closings. Here are the top lawyers representing companies like Microsoft. → Read More

Meet the Supreme Court's new clerks, 37 millennials set to be the most powerful lawyers, judges, and politicians in the US

Of this year's 37 Supreme Court clerks, nearly one-third graduated from Yale Law School. Most clerked for at least two other federal judges. → Read More

I took a $100,000 pay cut to be a public defender, but I work the same hours. I've never been happier.

After 18 months as a Big Law attorney, Adam Heyman left to be a public defender. Here's why he took an equally demanding job with much lower pay. → Read More

Why I quit Big Law: 4 lawyers reveal why they left top firms, and their message to former colleagues

Former associates at firms including Mayer Brown found new gigs outside of Big Law. Here's why they left, even when it meant taking a salary cut. → Read More

A 12-hour workday in the life of a Chicago public defender trying to keep kids out from behind bars

Amber Miller walked Insider through her 12-hour day as a public defender in the law office of the Cook County public defender. → Read More

Hiring partners share how young lawyers can land a job Paul Weiss, one of the country's top law firms

Two recruiters share how to get hired at Paul Weiss, the 20th-highest-grossing law firm that represents some of the US's biggest companies. → Read More

How to land a job at Cooley, one of Silicon Valley's top law firms

Cooley represents clients like Facebook and Google. Here's how to get hired, according to its recruiting director and a tech transactions partner. → Read More

Here's a breakdown of what entry-level prosecutors get paid across the US, from $50,000 in Miami to $127,518 in San Jose

Assistant district attorneys have widely different starting salaries. See a breakdown of pay rates from Los Angeles to Tulsa to New York. → Read More

How to land a job at Gibson Dunn, according to two partners leading the law firm's recruiting and hiring efforts

Big Law firm Gibson Dunn is looking for summer associates who are collaborative and passionate. Check out the firm's interview questions here. → Read More

How to get accepted into the elite Skadden public-interest fellowship, according to two people reviewing applications

Skadden fellowships draw an ultracompetitive pool of candidates. Here's how to set yourself apart, according to two people reviewing applications. → Read More

I quit my Big Law job to start my own law firm. Here's how I did it.

Warren T. Allen II gave up a high-paying job at Skadden to start his own law firm. Here's how he navigated costs, subscriptions, and ethics rules. → Read More

How to leave Big Law and start your own legal practice, according to lawyers who made the leap

Giving up a steady Big Law paycheck to venture off alone can seem like a daunting task, but some careful preparation can go a long way. → Read More

The top 5 lawyers defending large fossil-fuel companies in climate-crisis litigation

Major oil companies are facing litigation seeking damages for the climate crisis. Here are some of the top attorneys defending them. → Read More

With new funding pouring in, Virginia flood program readies for first round of projects

Flooding throughout the state, and particularly Hampton Roads, has gotten worse in recent years. → Read More

Virginia Beach officer said nothing to Donovon Lynch before shooting and killing him, witness says

The night of laid-back bar-hopping — the gregarious Donovon Lynch, easy to spot and easier to get along with, was everyone’s best friend — turned into bedlam as shots rang out. → Read More