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Following. After 20 years in and achieving pretty much what I set out to achieve, having a hard time thinking about doing this another 20 years.
I was a judicial law clerk and then litigation for 3.5 years. I went to work for two nonprofits inhouse learning to get rid of the legalese and learn the business side. I now manage a law firm and do not practice. I’m essentially the COO.
If you want to get out learning HR, Insurance, finance/budgets, and how to weigh the risks and not automatically say no are vital skills to learn. We have plenty of skills to leverage outside of practicing law. I know I could move on to a CEO or COO position with my skills. If you want to learn more, message me.
Chief
Given our skillset I think the best thing we can become is a crooked politician
Chief
Buddy went in-house at a developer and is slowly transitioning from the legal side to the business side.
That's probably my exit path as well should I ever want to leave.
^^ insert clapping gif
And if someone could share one for litigation in specific
Similar...project management.
I went from big law to a nonprofit (must not be motivated by salary, because there will be a cut). Nonprofits allow more flexibility and are open to you learning new things. I am positioning myself to transition to either VP of HR, Diversity and Inclusion or Pro-Bono Services at a fortune 500.
What’s the salary range for a D&I role?
Couple friends went to HR, couple teaching. Also know personal trainers, owner of a yoga studio. Business consultant. Find your passion.
What level are they teaching at?
I’m tired of having a job. Looking to start a franchise business or buy an existing business. Manage for 2-3 years, develop business and management skills, then hire a manager to replace me. Perhaps buy another few businesses down the road. Requires some cash, but not as much as you might think.
If you can overcome the idea that you will NOT be changing jobs in a lateral or upward way (as you are now competing with MANY MANY more candidates), then eventually you’ll find a way out.
Me:
Im On the tech and Innovation side, got turned down from FAANG due to a lack of tech talent around me in my experiences in law who could vet what i did and built (i lucked out and was handed lots of decision power while only mid level). But got a sweet offer from a sub-FAANG company due to all my non-law experience. Only other things you may have a direct avenue into is anything directly related to your practice area. Ie: transactional/m&a/emerging comp = biz dev/acquistions/VC, litigation = in house, etc. So basically, Without a semi skill or career pivot, your best bet is to see yourself as a tradesman (just like engineers have to pitch themselves anyways), highlight your big accomplishments and push your abilities to achieve and adapt to knew things.
For example, if tech is your thing or what you want to jump into: it’s rumoured some tech firms/SV companies can throw some tech questions at you for a non technical role.
So just be open minded to change, and be prepared to grind your way to each interview as you will likely have lots to learn if you’re looking beyond what you’ve been used to. Mainly because as a lawyer, your path is very well defined, which is good, but can be daunting to step out of when changing fields like what this thread is about.
LegalTech is a great place to start. Your knowledge of the law will help and is preferred in those roles. Knowledge management roles are also a good route.
I do not recommend this if your goal is to work tech, as LegalTech and the law is viewed as very niche from the outside.
I’m going to get my MBA 🤣
Chief
What we all should have done in the first place. Damn.
Critical thinking, reading comp, “no assholes”
Law Librarianship is a great alternative or second career for attorneys. Yes, you will need a masters degree in library and information science, but it's a great way to keep building on the knowledge you have already acquired. The money is not as good but there is so much less stress it's worth it. https://www.aallnet.org/careers/about-the-profession/
In IP, a lot of people leave to form legal tech startups. I know a few non-IP attorneys who left law to pursue passion projects, but they spend time building up savings or setting up passive income sources first.
Obviously plenty of ex-attorneys become recruiters or go into other law adjacent fields (i.e., Westlaw and Lexis reps).
I never practiced law. Went straight to work in JD preferred jobs, performing legal writing and legal
editing.
Walmart will take you. 😉
I started doing introspective work early in my law career. It was interesting to discover my interpersonal, analytical and persuasion skills were transferable to many things. It came down to mapping out my life story to pinpoint the trends, patterns, experiences and strengths. My strong interest in personal development was a clue as to explore a certain path. Wisdom to help people solve personal and professional problems come natural and are extremely enjoyable.
Choosing different opportunities to showcase my expertise came when I just begin moonlighting. The finally crossover came when I made me the decision that I can be both a happy lawyer and do what I really want . Helping professionals monetize their expertise so they can work less make more and enjoy more free time is my specialty. Thanks for asking this question! Reach out if you’re interested in discussing your unique situation.
I once had a professor tell me that the public thinks lawyers can do anything but surgery and I think there is a lot of truth to that. The basic skills needed in law:critical thinking; research; and writing are applicable to a large variety of jobs. Salary may be the issue but not necessarily. If you want something with a legal flavor you could do something in the compliance field.
LAWYERS think (the public thinks) lawyers can do anything but surgery
In many states, those with a law degree can practice real estate.
We have an attorney in my state that helps home buyers and sellers on the transactions, although I don’t know if he does the traditional showing homes. He has a flat fee based on the price of the home. If he represents the buyer, he collects the buyers agent’s share (typically 3%) and returns to the buyer the excess cash after closing. So buyers pay nothing out of pocket up front and get money back after closing. For sellers, money comes out of closing but is substantially less than if seller paid seller’s agent 3%. Added benefit is his deals are less likely to fall through based on sloppiness you often see with agents.
Check out the former lawyer podcast!!