Anyone have experience going from being a lawyer to a software developer? Maybe doing a coding boot camp?

I’m a senior litigation associate at a V50 firm—I might be paranoid, but I think I might get asked to leave the firm soon, and, either way, I think I’d like to get out. I’m pretty burnt out, and I don’t really see myself continuing to practice law.

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Have you looked at in-house positions in tech? Instead of doing a full career switch, maybe you could move into the industry and see what things are like. If you don’t want to practice law, I don’t want to stop you. But if there’s something drawing you to tech, maybe a change in environment would help. Product Counsel positions in particular are possible for ex-litigators and would expose you to the technical side of the business.

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I know this can be a scary jump so if anyone wants to really discuss this- feel free to DM me. I’m currently really excited and refreshed because I have taken a 8 mo sabbatical gifted to myself and I love the company I’m about to join.

But I do have thoughts on bootcamps and can tell you more about my experience.

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Hi all! This may put me but I just did this. Quit end April. Took basic coding classes on team treehouse in May after 2 week break. Got accepted to coding bootcamp in midJune. July started the pre work for coding bootcamp. July-Oct = coding bootcamp.

November = begin job search and realize we didn’t learn data structures and algorithms to pass technical interviews. Pause applications and cram those.

Nov-Dec => interviews for applications I submitted before the pause go into play. Early December do final round onsites at some companies. Mid December accept offer.

Total time = 7.5 months approx.
3 out of 5 if my capstone group have secured offers at companies they like at this point.

Note - pay is much less than big law. Starting pay can be 70-130K for a first year wo experience. It’s up to you to cram in leetcode to get on the hiring end of that range. However, 2-3 years in and the job opportunities are much greater than inhouse because companies are dying for good programmers.

Flip side - WLB and culture seems to be much better. Even senior engineers at AWS (where culture is rumored to be toxic) said hours are like 60 per week or like 80 if you’re doing a sprint. The 200+ billable hour kindof lifestyle seemed even traumatic to them and they get paid more than big law comp.

YMMV. It’s not easy and I was told that the search can take 6mo to a year. I lucked out. It also really depends on if you like coding and can grind leetcode. I’d try a free coding tutorial online first to see if you like it…and be prepared to float yourself for a year or freelance for a year.

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Super helpful! Thanks!

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Interested in hearing experiences with this. I considered doing it in 2020 when my practice was super slow. It seems like, at least as an entry level software developer, you won’t be making anywhere near entry level biglaw salary, but your salary can go up a lot and you’d also have the potential to make big money through stocks.

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I don’t know if it would be worth it. Speaking as ex-lawyer running a tech company. I think it depends on your money situation and willingness to start something totally new. Tbh you’ll never make as much money as you do now. It’s just how much less you’ll be willing to take and also how willing you are to retool. That being said it can def be rewarding if it actually interests you. Have you ever thought of getting more involved in discovery tech?

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I have considered this, but have not pulled the trigger. Decided to try out another law firm. I enjoy programming in my free time (or, rather, learning to program) but figured I would exercise different avenues in law before deciding to make the full career transition. If I ever do, it will be because I am confident I will enjoy (at least more than law) a career as a software engineer (not just studying cs, as I felt with law school) and it’s likely I would go back to get a second degree - either a post bacc cs degree or masters intended for those without a background in cs. I think it’s a fine balance between thinking the grass is not always greener, taking a pay cut and taking a chance on something you might actually enjoy and be able to stay in and grow in long term.

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