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UBS If I had to move within the company to a different location , how does it work? For example if I move from low cost of living area to high cost of living area does the company re-evaluate the base salary within USA? Or do they come back and mention its your family requirement since your partner is located and you are moving ?Suggestions or experiences any !
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I am 48, married, with a 9 & 3 year old. Burned out and disgusted doesn’t even begin to describe my mental state over the past couple of years with the legal profession. Like you, I’ve been trying to find a way out. The job market is tough and no you cannot do anything with a law degree like all the self-help books state. What you can do with a JD degree is practice law.
Do you have the ability to buy your freedom? In other words, do you make great money and can you sock it away for the next couple years and exit the profession?
Burned out and disgusted hits the nail on the head.
I found that trying a new area of law is reinvigorating. However, I also found the Law to be a struggle full of shady characters, unethical lawyers, biased and bought-off judges, fake lawyers, demanding and cheap clients, it's been a lot. I started reading Napolean Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, and I have had a sudden spurt in side-hustles. It has not been easy but I want to be free, no boss, and I am looking at ways to build a business so I don't have to be chained to my desk and beholden to nasty bosses and unappreciative clients.
How about compliance or regulatory law? Or in house?
I dont know your specific practice area, but the easy answer is to leverage your client relationships to pick up more regulatory work from them, and pawn off the litigation internally
Fishing cabin in Alaska time bro
If it were feasible to replace $180K in income by starting my own business, consulting, or building an altruistic solo practice (like estate planning), I’d do it in a heartbeat. But that kind of transition isn’t immediately sustainable. It would likely take several years to reach that income level, with the early years involving significant financial strain. It would amount to a net loss in the short to mid-term, even if I eventually hit the $180K mark.
I had an opportunity to fill in for an Assistant General Counsel who was about to go on maternity leave. A six month role (which included some overlap and handoff before she delivered, then more overlap when she slowly began returning to the office) paid about 1.5 years of salary.
One door closes, another opens - take the leap.
I felt like this a couple years into the job. Now about 20 years later. Sometimes I wonder what might have happened if I had just bailed, but extrapolating from most (not all) of the people who bailed and became random things without any particular skills (real estate agents, recruiters, coaches, generic business roles without special training or experience, etc.), there is a very high likelihood it would not have been all that lucrative or otherwise satisfying.
That’s a sobering but fair point.
Is there not a way to make a business out of it — like have someone else to do it for you . Z
I feel exactly the same way and have for about 5 years. Moving in house did help some, but it’s an exhausting profession regardless.
What are the drivers of your golden handcuffs? Can you take a step back when kids are out of the house, downsize home, hell — maybe buy a business (not less work but different) or try your own consulting?
Agree with C1. Talk to your family about it. Your happiness might be a bigger priority for them than you think. Your spouse may have career ambitions you didn’t even know about.
I've done litigation my whole career, including construction litigation. I just took a new job doing the contracting and project management side of construction law for owners. I am finally excited again.
I have also been looking at doing a pivot to project management and am just getting started taking a look at it. Is there anything required outside of the certification?
Find younger lawyers and take them as apprentices. Mold them. Teach them to channel their hate. When they are worthy to step up, you can pass the battle to them.
This also works if you are a Sith Lord.
Grass is always greener. Similar situ here but still not married, no kids.
Also non-lawyer: teaching, recruitment, law school admin, business!
I don't know what kind of area you practice but a shift towards something more altruistic may help - professionally or personally. Public service? Volunteering or working for a cause you feel passionate about? I will say when I was itching to switch jobs I started reaching out to friends and colleagues for lunch/coffee just to see if the grass was greener or to brainstorm ways to get out
Good morning, what about changing type of practice? or assisting in a self help type program? something like helping elders- like wills or trusts.
Go in-house. Be there for a while. Learn the business. Switch to business side. This maybe take a long time. But I’ve known several who have done it successfully. Make sure the employer is open to that before you take the job
That’s what I’m aiming for. The in-house market is tight though.
I’m 20 years into family law. I hate it. My peers are awful. I’m regularly dealing with lying attorneys on the other side. People have completely forgotten how to meet and confer or pick up the phone to do what’s best for a family. Almost all lawyers seem to be out for the money and themselves not caring how it damages a family or children. There are a few older ones left I’m always happy to see come across my desk but for the most part the younger newer generation send nasty emails nasty letters and won’t even entertain settlement that is if they’ll even call or email you back . I am thinking of ways to make a change, I’m open to leaving law and leaving the country. I don’t need to make the money I make if I’m living somewhere much cheaper. Honestly I’ve done therapy, taken meds, took mental health leave, I meditate and do yoga. Family law attorneys traditionally die 7 years sooner than other lawyers. I have to get out for my own sanity and health. Any suggestions would be appreciated.