Think Before You Decide, “I Want Out”

Published July 14, 2009

It seems apparent that many in our profession are looking to opt out. The crisis situation of the past year has led many lawyers to wonder whether the grass would be greener elsewhere, either by retiring or otherwise exiting from the practice of law altogether, or by leaving their current firms and starting a practice of their own. Especially when driven by emotion, the decision to make such a change should not be taken lightly.

Lawyers, like all successful people, work long hours and are focused and passionate about what they do. If they suspect the grass may be greener elsewhere, it is not that they want to pursue a life of leisure – it reflects a desire to reignite their passion. Lawyers contemplating a change in their lives should ask themselves why they went to law school, why they became a lawyer. Do they still love the law and enjoy helping people? Is a career as a lawyer the best way to achieve their goals? A number of LawBiz® Forum participants have discussed wanting greater peace of mind or greater control of their practice. They’re not getting it now, their colleagues can’t help them and their families don’t know how. The Forum plays a useful role for these lawyers

The dynamics of legal practice are such that when lawyers (who have been trained that they should know solutions or be able to find the right answers) feel their lack of control and passion means they have not achieved success, leaving for greener pastures may seem the only option. If you feel that way, ask yourself several questions:

  • Why do you want to leave your practice?
  • What do you want to do with your life once you leave practice?
  • Do you want to quit working and retire, or start a new adventure?
  • Can you achieve the same objective without leaving the practice of law?

Leaving your current practice by any route is an emotional process. You must want to do so, and believe you have no other alternative. Basically, you must answer the question, “What do I want to be/do when I grow up?” Each person’s answer is unique, and can change over time. Making a decision does not have to mean that you’ve burned bridges to your past life, or that you have erected a wall against future change. Remember the words of Confucius: “Pursue a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Categorized in:

Audience type: Sole Practitioners