Please be kind, feeling vulnerable. Got let go from my firm on Friday after one year of work. Getting paid leave and website time. Ruminating on all the things I could have done differently. Any words of encouragement or advice?

This is so hard, and I’m very sorry this happened. Years ago, I also was let go on a Friday afternoon after just over a year at my first job. I was blindsided and all I wanted was to have done something different to get a different result. But it turned out to be such a good thing, in the long run. I landed in a much better place, and so will you. Let yourself feel what you are feeling, but I promise that in five years, this will be nothing more than a blip in a great career. You’ve got this.

I was fired from my first job as a lawyer. You will get through this. Highlight the skills that you acquired at this and other jobs and apply widely. You will land in a better place.

I got let go last year, I didn’t know it then, but it was the best thing that happened to me. I landed at a practice group in a firm that was a much better fit and met my husband through that job!

Take time to lick your wounds, but get back up, call a recruiter, and keep moving forward ❤️

It just wasn’t the right fit this time. You can apply what you learned (law, firm, and personal) through this experience to your next role. Don’t let this shake your confidence (easier said than done I know). Everything will turn out alright.

So sorry this happened to you. Even good lawyers get laid off or have bumps in the road. When I was laid off (a month after being back from maternity leave mind you), I was a wreck. Someone who had been in my shoes told me that I should acknowledge that losing a job is a trauma. And let myself grieve accordingly. But also that it won’t define me and I’ll be okay. Fast forward to I’m now at my dream job and on the verge of promotion. Take the time you need to process, update your resume, work with a good recruiter, and take this as a sign your firm wasn’t the right fit. A better fit is out there, and now is your time to find it. Thinking of you ❤️

I’m sorry to hear that. What was your practice area? Was this a Big Law firm? You will land on your feet again. What were some things you struggled with? Realize that this is very common and says nothing about you as an attorney.

Also, don’t beat yourself up about the past. Focus on what you can control.

Thank you all! I have been ruminating so much on things I would do differently. These kind words brought me so much peace and hope.

Been there, done that. My third job (2nd law firm) after 4.5 years. I was also blindsided, traumatized, and deeply angry; knew I’d done nothing substantively wrong (though the dept head tried mightily to catch me out, she couldn’t - a point of pride). A week later, she was demoted (and my favorite partner promoted to her place), and a year later, she was forcibly retired.

I was unemployed for 8 terrifying months, because local economy sucked and I was married - couldn’t move. But I eventually did land another job in-house, then another in a third firm that I only survived with my mental health intact because of what I’d learned at the second firm. Finally found my dream job at a regional firm that’s been nothing but supportive.

It happens to very many of us. It’s usually the best thing that ever happened to us. Most of the time it’s just bad fit or other things we can’t control. Take what you learned and move on to bigger and better things.

I was fired from my first lawyer job too. I’ve been with my current firm for 8 years now. Sometimes it’s just not a good fit, and that’s ok. It doesn’t mean you’re not a good attorney.

Sending hugs and love your way. The same thing happened to me some years ago. I was absolutely devastated and I honestly felt embarrassed. Once I got past those feelings and understood it for what it was things got a lot better. I did doc review for a while and honestly it was what I needed. I got to recalibrate and earn comparable pay while catching my breath. I went on to start my own law firm, made more money, and was able to comfortably start a family. All that to say that it gets better! Use this time to catch your breath.

I promise you will find a better fit that you love.

Even though it’s been said many times already, it’s worth repeating…..what does not destroy us only makes us stronger.

When I was “forced out” of my last corporate position, my boss said one day I would look back at the experience as the best thing for me.

Guess what?

He was right.

I should have made the move for myself but didn’t because I was comforted by the security of a regular pay check.

You WILL look back and see that this WAS the best for YOU.

Write a few words of GRATITUDE in a journal and focus on all the things that you HAVE not what you’ve lost. You will be amazed at how you’ll feel when you reflect on your blessings and not your circumstance.💛

I am so sorry. Make sure to eat some protein, hydrate, and take care of yourself. I have never seen layoffs like we’re seeing this year.