Big law is full of "people of the lie" see the work by the great Scott Peck

I just came in from my car crying in the driveway like Kristen Stewart crying at the wheel in that clip... I'm a 34 yr old male in the UK and I've done planning law in private practice for 10 years. I'm done. I. AM. DONE. I don't know what I am going to do, but this video (which is the first thing that came up in a frantic Google search) could be the first step in the next chapter of my career. I'll listen to the podcast. Thank you!

I have worked in the legal field for over two decades. Management is absolutely complicit. I've seen partners throw things across the conference room nearly hitting staff and this very same person was promoted to managing partner the next year. The pathological lying is another thing...that is indeed soul sucking behavior to run from.

I'm watching this video having recently graduated with a law degree. I took a trip abroad before I return to pass the bar, but now...I am having doubts. Being a lawyer is all I have ever wanted. I never considered anything else - until now and so, I feel a bit lost. Thank you for laying things out so well. Hopefully, I will follow the correct path for me (once I find it lol).

My theory why the partners say we have a "no assholes" policy is that as narcissists skilled in gaslighting (Academy awarding winning level) they are attracting co-dependents, INFJs or empaths to do the REAL work. They need us and they know their targets say they won't work for assholes, even though we always do. Thanks for speaking out about this bs behavior. It's not just Biglaw, it's all the law firms. Egoism is so big in the legal community that this won't change.

You need to place the qualifier: "Equity partner excepted."

Funny and absolutely true !

The only thing I got out of law school was debt. Sure, I learned to think critically, structure an argument, blah blah blah, but it wasn't worth the price I paid in student loan debt as well as the lost income from not working three years.

Law is a psychotic trip

if they haven't been there, they will not understand

What about burn out in small firms?🤔 Small law firms are not less toxic than big law firms.

if you cannot sell your soul, you won't make it. Your job should never turn you into someone you do not recognize any more

do you have videos about bullying in law firms? it is a damn shame that people of such "high standards" can fall so low that they forget about rights, morals and values when they employ and train other lawyers. Lawyers must have the crappiest track record of good example setting out of all professional fields.

It makes it 10 times worse when other lawyers bully other lawyers to such an extent that they they don't want to practice law any more. Law is toxic work culture and it will never change. You must be a psychopath, masochist or narcissist to keep going in such a toxic environment

You put tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face when you talked about getting past the mindset of not feeling qualified and focusing on what you like. I'm in the period of coming to terms with ending my career in solo practice, while actively exploring different industries for career options. Traditional practitioners in my professional network didn't have the vision to give out this type of perspective as I was struggling with the anxiety that comes along with a career change. Knowing that I'm sharing similar struggles with other lawyers(former?) helps me shake off the feeling of "being in the wrong". Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your message. I'm definitely going to listen to your podcast as well. Much love.

I just found your channel and I can honestly say my first thought was: how do you know exactly how I’m thinking/feeling? Then I realized.. it’s because this is widespread in the legal profession and it’s not okay! I’ve been crying from work stress almost every day this fall and now my goal is to get out of firm life into in house (used to be in house; muchhh better balance) because even thought I don’t want to stay a lawyer forever, your video about just taking any step, even if it’s to a less intense legal job and go from there really resonated. Your channel, advice, and support are incredible and I am so thankful I have found this. From, a Canadian lawyer who thinks you’re awesome.

Wow. She just took the words from my mind and made a great video. I hate billable hours and believe they ruin the practice of law.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. It is quite helpful for me as a law freshgrad

Thanks so much for your videos and all of your content. I think I would feel a lot more lonely throughout this process if it weren’t for your videos and podcasts. I’m just trying to last a little while longer but I’m living in a strange state of constant fight or flight.. I’m also being pestered regularly by management trying to make me bill more and more and get more and more busy.. it’s the same management that told me multiple times through the interview process that the firm doesn’t emphasize billable hours… 1 month into the job they gave me an annual target of 2000 hours and have spoken to me about my hours each and every month since. I resent them for tricking me. It would have been excellent to know that they wanted me to bill 8 hours a day before I agreed to take the job.

👏👏

I wish I could escape this bloody madness. I'm slowly moving away, but it just seems like I'm trapped! Law can be soul crushing--if you let it.

I’m so happy I found this video. I’ve been practicing for 12 years and it got to the point where I was about to have a nervous breakdown so I quit about a month ago with no job lined up. I’ve taken a few trips but now I need to figure out what I’m going to do next. So I subscribed to your podcast and I’m going to check out the post on your website about alternative careers. Thank you so much for compiling this information!

Hello.. Thank you for a great videos. Do you have a link for the article you wrote about the lawyer / therapist?

Excellent video. Enlightening and informative.

why many lawyers dont change to in house lawyer after working in biglaw for several years, life style may be better.

This was pretty enlightening and funny! And there are plenty of weird and/or screaming a-holes at smaller firms too.

Thx for sharing your story. I’m a recovering strategy consultant and your story is so real and I think cuts across client services firms. I’ve also dealt with anxiety (and depression). I woke up one Monday morning and just quit. Oh and I’m a non traditional student studying for the LSAT! Glad I found your channel.

I feel like you could explain just about any concept on earth and it would leave me feeling smarter and calmer. Law professors, exceptionally good ones, have this skill.

Girl, u better preach.

An article like this is propaganda to keep the law school machine running. If the legal profession were not oversaturated, then lawyers at all levels would have to be paid fairly. For example, in Texas, court reporters are paid more than district attorneys. Additionally, when you consider that court reporters charge directly for each transcript they produce, they are paid leaps and bounds more, for a lot less work, and less stressful and soul crushing work.

I definitely escaped a hellish ordeal, I see my family members who are happy with their work, are paid more than I ever was as a lawyer, work 40 hours a week, and take 2 vacations a year! Work doesn't have to be a hellish ordeal.

I regret it immensely. There is a saying that you only regret what you did not pursue, ugh, WRONG! I am saddled with debt, burned out, and feel like I may never be able to work again because I am so frazzled. My health suffered tremendously, I missed milestones with my kid, and have nothing of value to show for having practiced for 11 years. Yes I met people, and I gained a couple of friends, but I also had the worst experience if my life, working 12-15 hour days for years, working during maternity leave, being told that I prioritize my family too much over the practice of law. To me, practicing law is a prison not a respectable career. I regret it 100%.

I practiced for 11 years. I have wanted to quit since 2018. I finally quit in june 2021. Not sure what to do yet, but I feel like I am still decompressing. Thank you for this video!

Spot on.

People in the position usually would not openly talk about their negative experiences but it does not mean that they don’t exist.

Working in big law made me realize that no job should be a dream. It’s a job. Nothing more

Good advice -- some people can find a different attorney job that gives them more satisfaction or better quality of life. Others totally ditch the legal profession and that's fine too if they can swing it financially. Hope you are well!

I left my job in the finance industry for similar reasons why you mention you’re no longer practicing law on this channel… Trying to find a truer, more authentic version of myself after leaving a profession that was tied up with my identity was a lonely, oftentimes confusing and challenging journey. I had to get therapy after I left my job to reset my mindset and do the work. It’s been a lonely journey I’ve been on, one where I didn’t feel understood by many around me. I’ve been finding your videos comforting and could relate to a lot of your videos. Thank you for making these videos as they have made me feel less alone. ✌️🌸

Your message is so valuable, thank you for speaking up

I love your channel. You are the greatest 🌸

Thanks for posting these videos even though they don't get many hits. I'm subscribed and find them helpful.

This advice applies to relationships as well. Good message!

This was timely. Thank you!

Thanks for this! Liked your video

It’s become so much of my identity. There’s a small part of me that feels like I’ll be leaving “the club.”

Question, why did you not consider moving to a smaller firm or go in-house?

I love love love your videos! Thank you

Hello I worked in a medium size law firm, about 15 years ago. We had 50 attorneys, and I was a staff member. People hated meetings, and do you know how much time staff wasted on internet games, Facebook, etc..lol People seem distracted just being in the work environment. I worked on staff at community college, around 7 years ago. Guess what I witnessed same thing, staff on the internet and games, and phone calls, etc. i actually think people get more done at home, and I can say this is true for me. I can be in a Zoom meeting, and multitask and still be focused.

I just read Eve Cornwell is leaving legal practice. Huge legal KZbinr. I’m shocked.

Wait, was Baker Botts that bad after only two and a half years? So bad that you didn’t try to lateral to another big law or super regional firm?