Lawyers who transitioned out of the legal field

given2fly23

Any other lawyers out there who feel/felt burned out and either have or are considering transitioning into something else less stressful?

I've been practicing for about 4 years now and I'm not even in one of those contentious, everybody-hates-you areas of the law, but I think its the billable hour pressure and greed of the partners that is discouraging me. I'm considering going out on my own but dont know if I can generate the business. another part of me just wants to give up and go be a bartender or something.

Anyone else been through this?

Given to...

Have you ever thought of just leaving the area and seeing what other parts of the country had available? A different scene to use your expertise...

Bob Mayo on the keyboards Bob

given2fly23 wrote:

Any other lawyers out there who feel/felt burned out and either have or are considering transitioning into something else less stressful?

if a day ends in "-day", then, yes...

given2fly23

P.T. wrote:

given2fly23 wrote:

Any other lawyers out there who feel/felt burned out and either have or are considering transitioning into something else less stressful?

if a day ends in "-day", then, yes...

can I ask which area of the law you practice in and what type of organization you work for? is it a firm setting or in-house, etc?

adropinthepark

I used to work for a very large city Planning and Building department. Seems most of the department directors were lawyers, so I'm guessin' this happens quite frequently.

TitoFuentes

I transitioned out of the law almost immediately. But the reason for my discontent was twofold: one, was that I was always more interested in doing something else. And, two, because I didn't love being a lawyer I felt that I was never going to be as successful as other practicing lawyers who really dug doing what they were doing.

I did transition into a field where my legal education came in very handy, so I didn't have to write off the three year education. But I am happy with my decision.

given2fly23

TF, thanks for your input. can I ask what it is that you do now and how long you practiced law? If you dont want to post it, can you PM me? thanks.

I dont think I would ever consider my legal education and license a waste. I think it would come in handy no matter what I choose to do in the future, but part of me thinks this is what I know, I am getting paid decent money, and doing anything else would require starting over at the bottom.

NoCode416

given2fly23 wrote:

Any other lawyers out there who feel/felt burned out and either have or are considering transitioning into something else less stressful?

I've been practicing for about 4 years now and I'm not even in one of those contentious, everybody-hates-you areas of the law, but I think its the billable hour pressure and greed of the partners that is discouraging me. I'm considering going out on my own but dont know if I can generate the business. another part of me just wants to give up and go be a bartender or something.

Anyone else been through this?

start your own practice and then hire me please :-)

i'll be done with law school in december, so it's wonderful to hear all of this talk about desire to transition out of law.

Get_Right

I left my law firm last year and have been practicing on my own since.
Not easy, but definitely better for my state of mind. The income has dropped though-big time.

My advice: stay at your job and develop a moonlight practice until you earn enough to quit
Now is not the right time to be thinking about starting a business or leaving a steady job.

Law jobs are not easy to come by at the moment.
In-house would be nice, but most corporations wont hire people with only law firm experience.
Anyway good luck.

given2fly23

Get_Right,

thanks for the advice. can I ask what your specialty is?

the reason that I think I could be successful on my own is because I am in a specialty where I can work on my own, but I see what you're saying...in this economy, it's just stupid to leave a guaranteed paycheck for something uncertain. plus if it doesnt work out, there isnt a thriving job market to fall back on.

I would be interested in hearing more about your experience though. you can email me at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dissident79@gmail.com">dissident79@gmail.com</a><!-- e --> if you're up for it.

thanks.

Get_Right

given2fly23 wrote:

the reason that I think I could be successful on my won is because I am in a specialty where I can work on my own, but I see what you're saying...in this economy, it's just stupid to leave a guaranteed paycheck for something uncertain. plus if it doesnt work out, there isnt a thriving job market to fall back on.
.

EXACTLY
I practice international trade law-although I have been branching out.

Unless you are a trusts and estates lawyer or a criminal lawyer, lawyers are getting hit all over-the industry is changing rapidly.

feel free to pm me any questions, as Id rather not do email.

thanks

given2fly23

Get_Right wrote:

EXACTLY
I practice international trade law-although I have been branching out.

Unless you are a trusts and estates lawyer or a criminal lawyer, lawyers are getting hit all over-the industry is changing rapidly.

feel free to pm me any questions, as Id rather not do email.

thanks

that's the one.

Get_Right

given2fly23 wrote:

that's the one.

well then-that is the area I have branched out in, just doing simple wills and not trusts or anything complicated, the demand is pretty strong.
the baby boomers are in need and there are a lot of folks that dont have wills-I am probably undercutting your market

I am sure you could develop business. Just market yourself. I know its hard to do when you are working XX hours for the man, but thats what its all about. Step back from law school and being the most knowledgeable in your field and think about sales. Really, I know its hard, but thats the name of the game.

given2fly23

Get_Right wrote:

I am sure you could develop business. Just market yourself. I know its hard to do when you are working XX hours for the man, but thats what its all about. Step back from law school and being the most knowledgeable in your field and think about sales. Really, I know its hard, but thats the name of the game.

thanks, that's good advice. we do much more complex stuff, like Trusts, GRATs, QPRTs, ILITs. it's funny that you say that about developing business because some of the partners tell me to do the exact opposite, but obviously they dont want you to learn how to run because you might realize that you're better off on your own. I agree with you though.

Get_Right

given2fly23 wrote:

thanks, that's good advice. we do much more complex stuff, like Trusts, GRATs, QPRTs, ILITs. it's funny that you say that about developing business because some of the partners tell me to do the exact opposite, but obviously they dont want you to learn how to run because you might realize that you're better off on your own. I agree with you though.

they dont want you developing business because they want that business!
but also, in that field it does take time to get full command of all the different vehicles, perhaps thats what they mean
anyway, the difference between successful lawyers and being a worker bee is clients
get clients and you will be able to call the shots, on your own or with a firm
good luck

that will be $500

given2fly23

turns out that I will be joining the ranks of the unemployed tomorrow.

I'm 70% worried, 15% excited to see what is next and 15% happy that I wont have to be in this environment anymore.

NoCode416

given2fly23 wrote:

turns out that I will be joining the ranks of the unemployed tomorrow.

I'm 70% worried, 15% excited to see what is next and 15% happy that I wont have to be in this environment anymore.

good luck.

Get_Right

bummer dude

get the abacus guide to starting your own firm
I found it to be very helpful

I think the ABA also publishes a guide.

good luck

given2fly23

thanks GR, I have one book already and will try to get my hands on those. now that the moment is here, I feel very insecure about my experience level. I wonder if everyone feels that way when they are getting ready to go out on their own.

iluvcats

I know many lawyers....but I'm not one.

You could always apply for a job in the government as a lawyer or you could work in Procurement as a Contracting Officer. We have some procurement people where I work with law degrees, although they never practiced.