I wish I had suggestions for career-change/non-practicing jobs for you, and maybe me. But in the meantime, and in addition to the suggestions of PP's re: self-esteem, depression, etc. I would say -- are you good at taking tests? If you move, would you have the ability to study for a Bar (i.e., are your kids in school or could you put them in part-time care for a few hours a day)?

I recently took the Maryland practitioner's bar after moving here from NY after 10 years of practice. I was really dreading it, but it turned out not to be that bad and I actually learned a lot of useful things about Maryland practice. I also think it was easier than taking the bar the first time around because everything had context now -- where 10 years ago everything was abstract, now I could see how it all fit together. I did have my son in daycare and spent a few hours a day doing contract work and a few hours studying.

We are thinking of moving, again, too, and are considering states in which I might have to take another bar, even if I'd have to take the full exam, as long as I can have some free time to study during the day.

OP, how old are your kids? Did you feel this way before they came along?

I think it is common for female lawyers with young kids to feel the way you feel because the reality of law is that performance is highly correlated with the number of labor-hours you have available to put in and your ability to focus intensely during those hours. Parenting young kids diminishes the typical woman's supply of both assets, so even when we're doing okay by most objective measures, we end up feeling like we're underperforming, disappointing others, or are one case away from dropping the ball that confirms everyone's suspicion that we such and got where we are only by lucky accident.

I don't have any advice, except to say that you might like the practice better with a different work-life balance. Can you get out of litigation and into a regulatory or counseling-type job for a few years?

What do you have a passion for? If you do not practice law, what do you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?

I would venture to say you are probably not bad at your job. You may not excel at it however, and it sounds like that is what you hope for/expect for yourself. It also sounds like you don't like what you do. For the last reason, I think a change is a good idea.

Is it possible you are suffering depression, including possibly hormone-influenced depression related to a hormone change like menopause? Just throwing it out there. The "lately" and lack of energy were flags for me.

Not saying you have to be depressed to feel this way. But if you win most of your cases and your clients like you, it's unlikely you are actually bad at your job. You might be tired of it and/or the grind, which are good reasons to change things up, but perhaps a less drastic change-up (side project? exercise class? decide to advance into management?) would work.

Anonymous wrote:Do you need to work harder and prepare more? Most of the time preparation and harder work can produce better results. That well written brief your coworker wrote may have taken more hours to write than did the mediocre one you just did. I'm not trying to be mean, but it's something to consider.

Also, are you sure this isn't a self esteem issue?

I would kill to have a career attorney position....

Do you need to work harder and prepare more? Most of the time preparation and harder work can produce better results. That well written brief your coworker wrote may have taken more hours to write than did the mediocre one you just did. I'm not trying to be mean, but it's something to consider.

I'm not a lawyer. But for the past several years I felt very mediocre in my job. Seemed like everyone around me was excelling. I was just doing the job, but nothing great. That changed in March when I switched to a new client. It's a very challenging environment and I was very unsure of myself for the first month. But now I'm thriving and I love it. It challenges me and the environment is awesome.

Maybe you just need a change to get out of a rut.

Just curious- have you felt this way every day for many years, or perhaps it is a slump?

I feel the same way and I'm a lawyer too. But not for the gov't. Can you change agencies or at least get out of litigation?

I'm a lawyer (govt). Been at it 11 years. I get decent performance evaluations, win most of my cases, and am liked by my clients. However, to be perfectly honest, I think I am a below average lawyer. I hate that. I always feel like I don't know what I am doing. Lately I hate most parts of my job, especially the contentious aspects (litigation) I see the work that other lawyers in my office do and am very impressed. I don't think I measure up and I certainly don't have the drive and energy that they do.

I am ready to get out of this job. I am grateful for it, but it is just not my thing. I dread coming to work. I just don't know what to do next. I need to work if I stay in this area. We are considering moving from the area so that I don't have to work full time. However, if we leave the state, I pretty much lose my ability to practice law since there is no bar reciprocity with the states were are interested in.

It feels good to confess. I welcome any suggestions for what to do. I regularly consider job hunting but don't know what I am qualified to do other than lawyer or paralegal.