Mid-30s, transitioning out of law, already gave my notice - freaking out about what's next

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[Post New]05/25/2018 23:10
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Anonymous
I've recently quit my job as an attorney (anxiety from the work and toxic office environment reached a true limit, after trying to tough it out and toughen up for 7 years). I'm leaving on good terms and although I have a set last day, they've offered for me to do contract work from home any time I want to- so as much as I'd prefer a clean break, I do have that backup option to maintain some part time salary while I job search (which we unfortunately will need to stay okay financially).

I really don't know what comes next. I've handled a lot of administrative oversight and HR for the firm, and think that could translate well to other jobs (and enjoy that work), but I'm not sure if that's a good direction to go, and am having that feeling of swinging mid-air between monkey bars. Honestly starting to freak out a bit, inwardly.

I'm not in the DC area, but am in an area that seems to have a lot of HR opportunities (lots of hospitals, universities, manufacturers). I'm not seeing much else at the moment in the way of job listing that I recognize as a mid-higher level admin position, other than some HR jobs. I would love if I could find part time work, but that seems almost out of the question for well compensated positions. If I'm working full time, I'd really want a position that pays $80-90k with some upward mobility.

I guess I'd just really appreciate any feedback anyone has about any of this. Suggestions for jobs that are a good fit coming out of the legal box, and anything else. I'm a bit lost at the moment.
[Post New]05/25/2018 23:37
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Anonymous
Does your area have legal recruiters? I would try to go see one if available. They will have a better sense of what is out there and what you would be considered for. My sister just transitioned from engineering to an HR position, and likes it much more, but she went back and got a degree in Organizational Management and her first job definitely didn’t pay 90K (in a midsize US city). My SIL transitioned out of law and now teaches paralegal courses online, but also doesn’t make anything close to 90K.
[Post New]05/26/2018 09:17
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Anonymous
Why did you give notice before landing another job?
[Post New]05/26/2018 15:54
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Does your area have legal recruiters? I would try to go see one if available. They will have a better sense of what is out there and what you would be considered for. My sister just transitioned from engineering to an HR position, and likes it much more, but she went back and got a degree in Organizational Management and her first job definitely didn’t pay 90K (in a midsize US city). My SIL transitioned out of law and now teaches paralegal courses online, but also doesn’t make anything close to 90K.


I'm not sure, I'll look into it. Thanks for the thoughts!
[Post New]05/26/2018 15:57
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Why did you give notice before landing another job?


I normally would not do it that way, but I live in a small to midsized area, where I grew up and know a ton of people, and where my bosses and some coworkers all have lived for most of their lives. It would have been very risky for me to start networking and job searching without informing my bosses first, as far as them finding out from someone else, and I wanted to leave on good terms (which I am). Frankly leaving on good terms, in this area, is very valuable for my future employment options as well. It's a close community with lots of connections, and even tighter legal community, and it was too risky. There some other personal factors I won't go into, but hopefully that covers enough of it.
[Post New]05/27/2018 17:37
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Anonymous
If you know anyone in HR see if they can connect you with a recruiting firm that specializes in that area. HR is rife with legal issues and your background could be very compelling.
[Post New]05/28/2018 08:04
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Anonymous
Are you looking to be totally out of law or stay connected and use your law degree. Some charter school networks (and public schools) have a lawyer they hire full time to do all things that come up legal. Same for colleges and universities. I imagine mid sized companies need people to review contracts and handle employment issues. All that to say, not sure how you FIND those positions, but those would be lower stress and legal but not working for a law firm. And maybe not something you thought of.
[Post New]05/29/2018 11:55
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Anonymous
Your salary requirement seem unrealistic for a change of field, IMO. Especially outside of a large city.
[Post New]05/29/2018 11:58
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you give notice before landing another job?


I normally would not do it that way, but I live in a small to midsized area, where I grew up and know a ton of people, and where my bosses and some coworkers all have lived for most of their lives. It would have been very risky for me to start networking and job searching without informing my bosses first, as far as them finding out from someone else, and I wanted to leave on good terms (which I am). Frankly leaving on good terms, in this area, is very valuable for my future employment options as well. It's a close community with lots of connections, and even tighter legal community, and it was too risky. There some other personal factors I won't go into, but hopefully that covers enough of it.


I find this very hard to believe. You sound like a woman. I doubt many men would quit their legal job prior to finding a new one.
[Post New]05/29/2018 21:28
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Roar
Member Offline
OP: Feel free to PM. I jumped from law right after 1 year of practice. Much of your skill set transfers to other positions, but you need to highlight those to potential employers. Ever thought of BD or Sales? I love it as a career and use my socratic method training all the time.
[Post New]05/30/2018 08:45
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Anonymous
Look into patent attorney work. USPTO used to have tons of telework positions (although they were under scrutiny for crappy practices a year or two ago).
[Post New]05/30/2018 08:46
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Anonymous
And ignore the PPs who tell you to never quit before having something else lined up. You know your field and network best, and you know what's best for you personally. It sounds like you've thought this out and even have the contract work lined up as a buffer. Congrats on getting out of a toxic situation, and good luck finding someplace better!
[Post New]05/30/2018 10:19
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Look into patent attorney work. USPTO used to have tons of telework positions (although they were under scrutiny for crappy practices a year or two ago).


where did OP say she was a patent attorney?
[Post New]05/30/2018 10:51
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Look into patent attorney work. USPTO used to have tons of telework positions (although they were under scrutiny for crappy practices a year or two ago).


where did OP say she was a patent attorney?


She didn’t, and from her post, unlikely that she is. This highlights a fundamental problem with this communication method- too many posting who lack any understanding or information of what they post.
[Post New]05/30/2018 11:09
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Anonymous
This is hilarious. You can't just become a patent attorney. It is a highly specialized field.
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