Anonymous
09/25/2025 11:27
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
Chiming in to secure your access to half in the event that the relationship ends. I don't know if that is a post-nump or what. Other than that, the choice to suffer when you would still be rich without it curious. I could see if you were curing cancer or helping people in dire need. This is an emotionally costly ego trip. I have similar tendencies and I promise I get it. Just trying to be straight with it.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 10:48
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
There are family friendly in-house jobs - you just need to be intentional in your search. I’ve been in-house at different orgs and in different roles and there is a lot of variation. If you like practicing law, try a different job before giving up on the field entirely.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:59
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you considered shifting focus to compliance? It tends to be a bit more humane and predictable, and your background will serve you well.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
My kids are 7 and 9 and I still need flexibility for the million school holidays/early releases plus getting them to activities. The season feels pretty long to me.
I'm in house and have this flexibility. I do have an au pair for childcare on days school is closed and after school, but I have a hybrid schedule and I can often work from home and take my breaks with my kids. I still work hard, but because I work hard no one comments if I step out to watch a school concert or tend a sick kid.
It’s so much easier with school aged kids than it was with little ones. Those are the hardest years and they feel relentless, even if it's really a short period.
As another attorney, I'll add that my biggest regret from when my kids were little was not just hiring more help. Consider having someone come in to cook and clean for you on a regular basis. Hire a second pair of hands to help with the toddler when the baby wants to cluster feed in the evening and your husband is gone, etc. If you don't have family help, hire help.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:53
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you considered shifting focus to compliance? It tends to be a bit more humane and predictable, and your background will serve you well.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
My kids are 7 and 9 and I still need flexibility for the million school holidays/early releases plus getting them to activities. The season feels pretty long to me.
I'm in house and have this flexibility. I do have an au pair for childcare on days school is closed and after school, but I have a hybrid schedule and I can often work from home and take my breaks with my kids. I still work hard, but because I work hard no one comments if I step out to watch a school concert or tend a sick kid.
It’s so much easier with school aged kids than it was with little ones. Those are the hardest years and they feel relentless, even if it's really a short period.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:30
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you considered shifting focus to compliance? It tends to be a bit more humane and predictable, and your background will serve you well.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
My kids are 7 and 9 and I still need flexibility for the million school holidays/early releases plus getting them to activities. The season feels pretty long to me.
Agree. It’s not a short season at all. Since money isn’t an issue, OP is lucky and should not try to hang on by the skin of her teeth and have a stressful family life. I was a lawyer turned SAHM which has worked beautifully for us. Hope you find a good balance, OP!
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:26
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
If money is not an issue then why are you in such a soul sucking job where you are making the world worse and not better
Anonymous
09/25/2025 02:21
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
Anonymous wrote:I’m a corporate/M&A lawyer who had a baby two years ago, and I’m currently pregnant with our second. I was at a big firm for 10 years, then moved in house when I got pregnant. I’m still struggling to figure out how to balance a career and motherhood, and I’m starting to wonder if it’s even possible in corporate law. My husband has an intense job that requires frequent travel and late nights, and I don’t want my kids raised by nannies. We’ve been managing (barely) so far, but I’m worried that a second kid will make the whole house of cards fall down and I’m wondering if I should start looking at an alternative career. Has anyone here made a transition to a truly parent-friendly career? I’m open to non-legal jobs and even going back to school or retraining. We’re very fortunate that money is not an issue, it’s more about personal fulfillment. I had a long maternity leave with my first and I’m certain that being a SAHM is not for me (but no judgment if you love it!). I have such a specialized career at this point that I’m a little lost as I’m trying to consider my options. I’d love any advice from others who have been in this position.
hmm- I do know someone who took a step out of her career to raise her kids for a few years and then when back to work at a firm when they were all in school and then went in house at a very high level. she had built an extensive network before she did this though, do you have a strong network or could you ask you husband to address this with you and maybe he chills his career a little bit for a few years?? it doesn't only have to be you. I say this coming from a very conservative background but families should do what is best for them and that might be the most resilient path forward.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 22:53
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
So fwiw I shifted to a more mommy tracked job from a more fast paced litigating job bc of young kids and I’m pretty unhappy. And it’s harder to get back a more fast paced job. I guess you need to really know yourself.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 21:26
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
I would not down ramp your career yet, unless you have significant independent wealth protected in trusts that can support you for the ret of your life OR you and your husband have enough marital assets that half of it would be enough to support you for the rest of your life. Comfortably.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 21:14
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
My husband is an M&A partner at a v10 firm. Lots of his former colleagues have gone on to be GC at tech companies in their preferred niche and all seem really happy with predictable schedules, interesting work, and less (but still great) money.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 19:31
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
Why isn't money an issue? Is it because your husband makes a lot? Or do you have independent wealth/savings of you are that you can access and have in the event of divorce?
Don't make the mistake of assuming that because your husband makes a lot, you don't need to. That's how women wind up broke and divorced in middle age.
Don't make the mistake of assuming that because your husband makes a lot, you don't need to. That's how women wind up broke and divorced in middle age.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 19:10
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
Anonymous wrote:Have you considered shifting focus to compliance? It tends to be a bit more humane and predictable, and your background will serve you well.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
My kids are 7 and 9 and I still need flexibility for the million school holidays/early releases plus getting them to activities. The season feels pretty long to me.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 17:48
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
If money is no issue, there are a million options. Personally I volunteer for fulfillment but there are many part time jobs that are adjacent, like church business office, tutoring, freelance research and small journalism, fitness coach ... basically anything you can think of. What do you enjoy?
You could also try a fractional counsel situation, like Axiom.
You could also try a fractional counsel situation, like Axiom.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 17:35
Subject: Re:Corporate law off ramp?
Have you considered shifting focus to compliance? It tends to be a bit more humane and predictable, and your background will serve you well.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
This season is so short. After a few years you may want to ramp up again and it will be very difficult to do that if you off ramp. Plus, if money isn’t an issue because your spouse makes a ton of it, you need to think about what your life looks like if your spouse is not earning that money any more or is married to someone else and not sharing more than the minimum with you.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 12:42
Subject: Corporate law off ramp?
I’m a corporate/M&A lawyer who had a baby two years ago, and I’m currently pregnant with our second. I was at a big firm for 10 years, then moved in house when I got pregnant. I’m still struggling to figure out how to balance a career and motherhood, and I’m starting to wonder if it’s even possible in corporate law. My husband has an intense job that requires frequent travel and late nights, and I don’t want my kids raised by nannies. We’ve been managing (barely) so far, but I’m worried that a second kid will make the whole house of cards fall down and I’m wondering if I should start looking at an alternative career. Has anyone here made a transition to a truly parent-friendly career? I’m open to non-legal jobs and even going back to school or retraining. We’re very fortunate that money is not an issue, it’s more about personal fulfillment. I had a long maternity leave with my first and I’m certain that being a SAHM is not for me (but no judgment if you love it!). I have such a specialized career at this point that I’m a little lost as I’m trying to consider my options. I’d love any advice from others who have been in this position.