Alternate Careers for Attorneys

Ive been a practicing lawyer for 10 years and am thinking of making a change in career...

Has anyone transitioned out of a career as a practicing attorney into something else? If so, what? Are you happier now? How has your life changed?

Re: Alternate Careers for Attorneys

I practiced law for a Manhattan law firm (I was a litigation associate) for just shy of 9 years. I left my job in July 2010 to get into the real estate business full-time. I don't currently practice law, but I do keep my bar admission current (because I may want to practice law again in the future... but I can't ever see myself at a large firm again).

I am much happier now than I was when I practiced law. I made the change largely for lifestyle reasons... my law job was stressful, required very long hours and travel (and my hours were unpredictable), and I felt like I was missing a lot of time with my family, esp. my ds. And while my job was financially lucrative and had some other perks (I had a lot of great friends there), I just didn't like litigating anymore, esp. in a hierarchical law firm environment.

Now, I love what I do, and I have so much more control over how I work, when I work, etc. It's been a bit of a financial trade-off, given that getting into real estate is essentially starting a business from scratch. It's not a traditional salaried position. But that trade-off has been SO worth it to me. I have been able to achieve a great work/life balance, and I still get to use some of my legal skills (client counseling, negotiating), but I am doing something more "fun." My work is an important part of my life now, but doesn't dominate my life.

I struggled with my decision to leave law altogether (I almost accepted a position with a LI firm with the idea that I would be cutting out my commute and a lot of the travel), and I also thought about getting into other alternative jobs that would have more traditional hours and pay a salary. For example, I looked into working at a local law school (in career services or admissions) or at a law firm (in recruiting, HR, or something like that). But once I made my decision, it was like a weight was lifted off of me, and I haven't looked back since! I have no regrets at all.

Feel free to FM if you have any speciic questions about my career change!

Re: Alternate Careers for Attorneys

Compliance for a large company?

Human Resources - employment law?

Alternate Careers for Attorneys

I work in the risk management dept at a huge construction company. I reveiw contracts for insurance compliance and handle all other insurance compliance issues.

I work 8-5 and never on weekends. Pay is good. I love it cause I still get to spend lots of tiem with my little guy!

Re: Alternate Careers for Attorneys

I work for a large health care/home care organization and some of the higher ups are attorneys.

Re: Alternate Careers for Attorneys

At Kaplan where I work, we have a ton of former attorneys who work for us. Some are teachers, some do curriculum work, others work in sales for our LSAT and bar divisions.