What did you do if you transitioned out of being a lawyer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider what it is about being a lawyer that you dislike first. For me it was client development and actually going to trial. I liked the research and investigative/discovery aspect of litigation. I now work in an inspector general's office. I also considered seeking jobs with the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office (working with one of the the analyst teams).

Going to trial is the fun part!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider what it is about being a lawyer that you dislike first. For me it was client development and actually going to trial. I liked the research and investigative/discovery aspect of litigation. I now work in an inspector general's office. I also considered seeking jobs with the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office (working with one of the the analyst teams).

Going to trial is the fun part!

Agree 100%! If I could just do trial work and not get stuck in seemingly endless document discovery I'd love this job. Would be awesome to parachute in at SJ stage, trial prep, and trial, and let other people handle all of the discovery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There aren't really jobs out there that want someone with no experience in the field, an advanced degree in another area, and that pay $120k right off the bat.

The people I know who have left the field took a large pay cut from $120k, except a few who did startups. FOr that you need a marketable idea and capital, though.

Wow. What kind of start-up pays $120k? I didn't think even founders could pay themselves this much off the bat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you hate about practicing law, and how old are you? Are you willing/able to go back to school? The not being able to take a pay cut really limits options.

I don't make that much, I'm not a biglaw attorney, I make in the 120s. I hate the combative, argumentativeness of it. I hate being expected to clean up everyone else messes. I hate giving advice that no one follows and then they look to you to solve their problems. I also hate my boss, but thats another story. I'm in my 40s.

Did I write this? OP, I'm in the same boat. I actually wrote a similar post a few months ago. I realize that I don't like being a lawyer for some of the same reasons you pointed out, and several others. I am a fed and many on this board seem to think fed attorneys have it so good. Ideally, I'd like to remain with the government and just switch to a non-attorney position, but I'm keeping my options open and looking outside of government too.

[Anonymous]

My first day on the job as a lawyer I realized why they were paying me so much damn money. It’s because being a lawyer SUCKS! I feel for you, OP. I am actively trying to leave the law behind as well. I’ll try to be reassuring here- I recently interviewed with multiple trade associations in regulatory/compliance roles AND I have minimal regulatory/compliance experience. Didn’t get the jobs but at least I know there’s some interest. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There aren't really jobs out there that want someone with no experience in the field, an advanced degree in another area, and that pay $120k right off the bat.

The people I know who have left the field took a large pay cut from $120k, except a few who did startups. FOr that you need a marketable idea and capital, though.

Wow. What kind of start-up pays $120k? I didn't think even founders could pay themselves this much off the bat.

They don't, when starting up. However, a few friends from law school have been fabulously successful with startups. Tech people, tried the law a bit, hated it and went back. I am sure the first year or two were rough but they make WAY more than that now. They have to be to be living the way they do in San Fran! It's definitely the exception, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a subject matter expert on any issue? Because there are tons of "recovering lawyers" at trade associations around town. But many/most of these folks have the policy/regulatory background from their law firms that get them the positions.

Yes, if you are a specialty lawyer you should look at related trade associations. I networked at industry events and told clients that I had a close relationship that I was interested in such a job. I am SO SO much happier. For me it was the hours that killed me. I had kids and actually wanted to be home. The money is way better than govt and most in-house gigs too. The downside for some is that you need to be very extroverted. Lots of public speaking. not a problem for me.

[Anonymous]

After three years of being a lawyer, a friend admitted she hated it. Now she works in law school admissions which she loves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After three years of being a lawyer, a friend admitted she hated it. Now she works in law school admissions which she loves.

To help others do what she hates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigative work and regulatory compliance. Love it. We are at a firm with mostly recovering lawyers and prosecutors.

As someone who imagines someday being a recovering prosecutor, I'm interested. Is this with a consulting firm? Or in-house compliance? Or something else entirely?

I'm the poster who loves doing investigations/regulatory compliance. I am at a boutique consulting firm, but I have friends who transitioned to in-house compliance positions from prosecutor jobs, and ones that work at places like KPMG doing this type of work. I also have friends who started their own small firms specializing in regulatory compliance work or monitoring, and they enjoy it. There are a lot of options beyond big law and law firms, and I think that regulatory compliance and investigations is a growing area for former prosecutors. One caveat - many of the firms that do this work are on the smaller side, so it may take a while until the right one is hiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you hate about practicing law, and how old are you? Are you willing/able to go back to school? The not being able to take a pay cut really limits options.

I don't make that much, I'm not a biglaw attorney, I make in the 120s. I hate the combative, argumentativeness of it. I hate being expected to clean up everyone else messes. I hate giving advice that no one follows and then they look to you to solve their problems. I also hate my boss, but thats another story. I'm in my 40s.

I would echo suggestions to look on the policy side. Less combative, but still good pay. If you have local/state experience, for us on those types of organizations or roles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Investigative work and regulatory compliance. Love it. We are at a firm with mostly recovering lawyers and prosecutors.

What are the salaries like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After three years of being a lawyer, a friend admitted she hated it. Now she works in law school admissions which she loves.

To help others do what she hates?

Just because she didn't like it doesn't mean others wouldn't. Dimwit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What specifically do you hate about practicing law, and how old are you? Are you willing/able to go back to school? The not being able to take a pay cut really limits options.

I don't make that much, I'm not a biglaw attorney, I make in the 120s. I hate the combative, argumentativeness of it. I hate being expected to clean up everyone else messes. I hate giving advice that no one follows and then they look to you to solve their problems. I also hate my boss, but thats another story. I'm in my 40s.

I have a lot of sympathy that you hate your job - working is miserable when you don't like what you do and it can poison many different parts of your life, but you are completely out of touch with reality. $120K is a nice salary for a 40 hr per week job with good benefits.

My DH is in biglaw, so I understand your point of comparison, but take a moment and count your blessings - which include a very nice income and work-life balance.

I meant I don't make that much compared to other attorneys.

How can you be making 120k but not be able to afford a pay cut? Either you're living right up to the edge of your means or you just don't realize how easy it is to tighten up your budget when you need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After three years of being a lawyer, a friend admitted she hated it. Now she works in law school admissions which she loves.

To help others do what she hates?

Just because she didn't like it doesn't mean others wouldn't. Dimwit.

It might be hard for her to encourage it. But you sound like a lovely human.