Ex big law attorneys - please share your experiences. Do you regret leaving? Have you found happiness? Pros and cons?

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I don’t regret it one bit. It was never my intention to stay. I did it because it was the path of least resistance and I didn’t have anything better on the table, and it seemed like the best way to eliminate my terrifying debt. I loathed and continue to resent probably 80% of my time there. Obviously it’s a little irritating seeing all the raises and bonuses and special bonuses etc lately, and in some way I’m a little envious of people who seem to be okay with the work and are able to cash the checks as a result, but at the end of the day that’s just not me.

In-house and much happier now. Not leaving until I retire.

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Well, to be clear, I don’t really need more money. I’m about to buy a home, and I think I’ll also be able to buy a small vacation home and retire on or ahead of schedule. I’m perfectly comfortable. So for me it’s more just a matter of knowing that there’s more money sitting there on the table for the taking, that could let me retire sooner or with a few fancier things. Even other in-house jobs pay more than mine, but I just don’t want to work at those companies.

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I left in 2013 after five years in. I have since done everything from selling motorcycles, getting a food prep certificate, doing discovery work, starting a few companies, and getting married to a woman who knew better than to speak to the person I was in my big law days. Could not have made a better decision, but wouldn’t mind that paycheck for a few more months.

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