The general counsel at Nixon Peabody was once responsible for handling a full docket of clients in addition to advising the firm as its top in-house lawyer, according to William Connolly, who recently joined the firm as its chief legal officer and general counsel.

But in today’s corporatized law firm leadership structure, managing the business risks of a Big Law firm has become a full-time job, said Connolly, who previously headed the litigation efforts of State Street Bank and Trust before serving as GC for Salary.com.