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Looking for producer roles - NYC as well.
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I knew I didn’t enjoy practice within the first 6 months, but I kept telling myself it would “get better” with experience. It wasn’t until around the 2-3 year mark that I felt confident saying this wasn’t for me long-term. I just started year 5 & am looking for an exit.
This is also me. I’m finishing up my first year but haven’t felt a single day of peace since starting this job. I’m afraid of leaving and regretting it but also don’t want to be miserable for longer than necessary simply because I was stubborn/didn’t trust my gut/sunken cost fallacy.
The law can be for most people if you find an area that challenges and interests you in a healthy way. Like a college major, one’s first practice area choice often isn’t the best fit but most people stick it out for no particularly good reason. That said, if what you truly love to do is create or build or teach or sell or engineer then law is probably not for you.
I realized it with a semester left in law school. On year seven and working on my exit now (that my loans are done). I'm also suffering from significant depression and anxiety so maybe don't wait as long as I have to get the fuck out.
I hope you feel better. I too suffer from anxiety and depression and my job as an attorney I’ve learned is simply not healthy for me. Best of luck friend! Seven years is one hell of a resume.
Im approaching month 4 and am about to quit
^Sorry I meant A6
Community Builder
I knew it wasn’t for me pretty early on probably year 2-ish. Started acting on it pretty quickly took another 3 years to make a move. Now doing legal recruiting much happier.
I would also love to chat with you if your inbox isn’t already overloaded! Lol
Well, I’d like to echo A3. The law is so vast that there are fits within it for just about everybody. I felt like you during my first legal job and was on the verge of getting out. But, fortunately some of my friends had my back and got me into a clerkship (which I LOVED). From there, I’ve gone to my state AGs office and have found a great niche I never would’ve thought I’d find. However, there’s nothing wrong with finding something else. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best. This career navigation stuff ain’t for the faint of heart.
Look for a career trajectory where knowing the law imperative or a needed credential to perform the task, but the actual practice of it is not in your hands but in attorneys around you (e.g. consultant/strategist).
You can identify the strategy, know the key points needed to effectuate a successful outcome, but the drafting an execution is handled elsewhere.
Sometimes it’s worth mentioning you’re unhappy to someone at the firm. They may be willing to help you try a different practice that makes you happier.
In the meantime, try to cultivate skills that you can translate into other jobs, and start searching to see what other opportunities you may find.
I will say though, if you’re in transactional, the practice kind of sucks until you get to your 4th/5th year and start getting real responsibility/a better idea of what the hell it is you actually do.
I’d rather be doing something I love, honestly
I knew within the first year of practice. I’m now in my 6th year at BigLaw and am finally really considering my options.
I truly admire you all knew it right after but still stuck to way later.. I can never have this patience lol
Been a litigator at two large firms for about three years now. The realization that I cannot actually take vacations without being stressed out about hours and the prospect of never seeing my family again when I make partner made me realize what a massive mistake I have made. But I am very optimistic. There are so many opportunities out there for attorneys! I’m glad I realized this when I’m 28 as opposed to 55.
Have always found aspects of it I didn’t enjoy - but always thought it valuable to do research on potential Plans B, C, D etc and (a bit like democracy) never found anything that felt like it would work better. Now, at 15yrs, switching to be a GC in-house: really excited about it and think it will be a better fit.
To be clear: am not advocating the “work 15yrs then switch to something similar” route, more the “do research on other things so you don’t frying pan/fire yourself” aspect.
I knew within the first three months of working at my first firm that it wouldn’t work out. I left after only six months. I had been suffering from anxiety and depression, and I felt like the firm was consuming my entire life. I shared that with a few close friends and had no idea what my next move would be. I considered leaving the law altogether but felt clueless as to what to do next. Thankfully, a friend helped me land a clerkship with an incredible judge as a term clerk, and I have since switched to a career clerk spot. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in this role, but I feel so much peace. I no longer wake up dreading my work day, and I actually look forward to it! I’m glad I didn’t leave the law altogether because there’s nothing better than curling up with a cup of coffee and reading caselaw without the pressure of the billable hour.
I knew I wanted to be an attorney after watching The Paper Chase and probably every episode of Perry Mason. Everything was smooth and I was happy until I was about to sign my contract with the best white shoe practice in town. My offer was so incredibly low I could not do it. I have kept my CE credits up and am still a member of the bar but up until a year a ago I did not do anything in the area of law. Better to graduate, pass the bar and keep up your CEs so if you want to go back you can than suffer doing something for which you do not have a passion.
Too lazy to read earlier comments. But I’ll be brief because I’m eight years in and leaving.
Started not liking things within a year but didn’t know if it was me or the profession. Have had a few private firm gigs since then and am more confident today that it’s not a good fit for me. I don’t think you can very easily make that call until you really work at it for a few years. Maybe try a couple different jobs to make sure it’s not just the one firm/position. But work to become good at what you do. If, even after several years of trying to become good at your job and having a growing amount of responsibility and expertise, you’re dissatisfied, that’s probably a reliable signal. Tomorrow might figure it out earlier. But there’s a good chance you’ll always wonder “did I quit too early?” Plus, having 4+ years of practice experience rather than a few months or a couple years seems more substantial in whatever you choose to pursue next.
That being said, once you’re confident the law isn’t for you, don’t let fear stop you. Rip off the bandaid and move to the next thing.