Most lawyers in the United States practice in law firms or serve in government, and quite a few, like myself, have crossed between those spheres at least once. Many have been successful leaders in both government and private practice by demonstrating qualities associated with leadership generally—substantive expertise, high ethical standards, a commitment to hard work and the advancement of the larger organization, and respect for colleagues and their opinions. The meaning and means of leadership in each environment are different, however, and success as a leader in one role does not necessarily guarantee success in the other. The qualities that characterize effective leadership in public and private law offices tend to reflect different institutional structures and orientations. What follows are some thoughts about distinctions and commonalities between leadership in government and leadership in large law firms.