Why Do Lawyers Quit the Legal Profession? Former Big Law Attorney U. Chicago Law Grad Tells Why

[@AtTheIntersection]

valuable info in the reality of being a lawyer and aspiring to be a lawyer. Ideals when we are younger eapecially in high school vs. the reality. thank you for talking about culture and norms like drinking and being in golf or just to connect to clients or to collegues. You’re so brave Sarah to quit law and choose your mental, emotional and physical health.

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for watching this. Sarah shared a lot of helpful information!

[@TimEatsandTravels]

It's sad that there's even a need for an episode dedicated to "why your job should not make you cry". Ego, trauma and power seem to give some people the entitlement to belittle and control others. It's sad. Thank you for sharing the truth.

[@aalegalfocus]

Exactly. The people you directly work for have such a huge impact on whether one enjoys their career. Thanks for watching!

[@jcnlaw]

Divorce and family law attorney here. Great video! Love to have you both on my KZbin channel.

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for reaching out!

[@richiemarrero2648]

Great information thank you for the video!

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for watching. Are you a lawyer?

[@torycook1215]

I went to a local state law school in California back in the 1990s (night school) for $7,000 a year. I rented out my home and did caretaking in another home which paid for my law school I had no debt. I did not practice law when I graduated, but I took my degree back into school administration. My legal education was a tremendous value and asset for me during the rest of my career. I am now retired and I still use my legal knowledge almost daily. It gave me the confidence I needed to do what needed to be done as a single woman and mom and now a senior retiree. No regrets.👍☺️

[@aalegalfocus]

Wonderful it worked out! Congrats on retirement!

[@TwinsTry]

so much good info - its so crazy - but sad too. its like this everywhere i'm sure in all professions

[@debtfreeF]

there's an IG person i follow who was also an attorney and then left the legal profession and these stories are always so interseting!

[@aalegalfocus]

There are so many people out there even on youtube who got law degrees they never used, or quit the profession. Thank you for watching this!

[@MegaMusicMuse]

This was fantastic. I don’t know why i’m so obsessed with going to law school even though I don’t want to be a lawyer………..

[@aalegalfocus]

Nothing wrong with going for the degree if you can afford it!

[@serene_today]

Thats exactly how I felt. I didnt want to practice law but I wanted to get into a law school

[@DrSevTalksMoney]

This was an awesome interview. Very informative and thought provoking.

[@aalegalfocus]

Thank you for watching this show!

[@Maplecook]

Back here to give your channel another push, Judy!

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks!

[@TwinsTry]

catching up after a long work day - excited to hear your thoughts!

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for watching this!

[@luciusseneca2715]

My top classes in HS were science. But my favorite classes were history. I should have chosen a science vocation, but went to law school for the "broad variability" which doesn't actually exist. Kids, don't chase your passions; cultivate your aptitudes.

[@aalegalfocus]

A job is basically a way to make money, and it's sad when/if choosing the law school route doesn't result in a stable, well-paying career with longevity. I hope you are happy in your current job. Thanks for watching this!

[@jeffweetwoot]

Extremely helpful!

[@aalegalfocus]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@DrSevTalksMoney]

Her moves across the country sounds like mine. I've lived in several states and countries and visited even more.

[@DrSevTalksMoney]

Yes, I understand that perfectly. That is my personality too and yes, they will take everything you have and then some. The burnout is real. That's why I am focusing on my own business...later in life, but never too late to start over. Too funny, I am confrontation averse too.

[@aalegalfocus]

Yes, being self-employed is wonderful and the key to sanity, as long as one can make enough money.

[@Chasiraw]

Dr. Sev I am starting over late in life too!! Let's do this!!!!

[@aalegalfocus]

Good luck, @Chasiraw!

[@Chasiraw]

@@aalegalfocus Thank you so much. It is very kind of you to reach out to me.

[@TheKidFromTheBronx]

Amazing and Informative

[@aalegalfocus]

Glad it was helpful! It is always good to hear of some candid experiences of other attorneys who seem to have attained the golden ring in the legal profession.

[@Abcdxyz11534]

I became a paralegal with an intention of going back to law school later, however I haven't yet gone to law school. Many people think I'm a lawyer but I'm not, and I can't keep explaining myself to everyone. I feel like I'm living a lie. And I hate the legal field. Been in it for 10 years. I want to quit but I feel stuck. I don't know what to do!

[@christabelidahosa1985]

What makes you to hate the paralegal filed

[@euphoricseoul]

Its been awhile. Miss listening to your videos🤗🤗🤗

[@aalegalfocus]

Thank you for supporting this channel! Hope you are well. :)

[@criminallaw9573]

Most of the people I graduated with left the legal profession a long time ago. Law School does not teach you how to practice law. In fact, spending three years fetishizing about grades, about journals no one reads, and how to use the Blue Book actually hurts your ability to practice law. I learned more about legal writing and practicing law from active attorneys in my family and in various internships in law school than I ever did in the classroom or law library.

[@criminallaw9573]

Here's a hint: if you want to be successful in Private Practice, learn how to SELL, and MARKET your legal services. If you are a great lawyer with enough paying clients, you aren't much of a lawyer at all. When you start practicing force yourself to be VERY ORGANIZED. Learn to be brief and effective in both oral and written argument. Learn about Filing Deadlines. Learn the particular preferences of each judge/prosecutor's office/jurisdiction. And please, do yourself a favor, and forget all about writing essays in blue books, or on ExamSoft software babbling about English Common Law precedents, Public Policy arguments, etc. Trust me, IRL no one cares. Your participation in a journal, Moot Court competition etc.--forget about it. No one cares. And get ready to see people who were duds in law school shine in court, and vice versa.

[@aalegalfocus]

Agreed. All that time wasted stressing out over law review. It was such boring work & has little to no relevance to my practice of law.

[@criminallaw9573]

It really does lack relevance. Lawyers have been complaining for at least a century about how profoundly unprepared law school graduates are to actually practice law. The good news is that if you are a quick study, you can learn a lot in a short time. I once worked with a baby prosecutor who went from being a disaster in the courtroom to becoming a good lawyer in about six months, and he just kept improving. He was a very quick learner, and it showed.

[@dchinsee]

Damn that kinda crazy after years of work , I couldn’t really imagine

[@aalegalfocus]

I think more people are willing to take less pay for better quality of life.

[@rogerdodger9229]

I am a business major (accounting/ finance).. And, my first tax season, I saw my client making (2001) $2.5 million in Interest income and $1.5 million in dividends income.. This lady doesnt need to roll out of bed and she is making more than probably any of your partners... I knew right there...I had to make a change- cause I wasn't going to be a billionaire doing federal/state returns.. LOL So, I saved up my money and have my own hedge fund.. I make my money work more then I do... But, you said something that bothers me....LOL U said your law firm coworkers would get on the roof and drink beer.. I thought employment law prevents this type of behavior...For example, using company computer for this gathering..and say you fell off the roof... or your co-workers sexually assaulted you and so on.. Isnt there a case law on this type of work environment? And, yes I enjoy your videos..

[@aalegalfocus]

I don't think there's anything inherently illegal about a workplace having events where employees drink & socialize. There probably have been lawsuits re: parties that got out of hand though.

[@rogerdodger9229]

@@aalegalfocus exactly, I thought employers look down on that cause it can lead to a possible law suit against the firm ...thought there was enough case laws on this topic ..kinda of employees dating at the workplace- looked down on ...sorry not saying it violates title VII ..it appears these type gathering on company property/ using company computers opens doors for liability...

[@aalegalfocus]

Yeah, I agree, it doesn't seem like a good idea to regularly host these things.

[@rogerdodger9229]

I am first generation in the USA... I do genealogy as a hobby..My grandfather (1893b)and Great grandfather (1850 b)were attorneys (father's side) and judges in another country.. My great grandmother (dad side) was an attorney (1812 b)..my father is engineer.. I grew up in a family that every thing went to family court...LOL I learned attorneys just walk and argue all day...LOL Hence, you might not be crazy about the law profession..but, your law degree should keep you out of trouble.. cause there are lots of Idiots out there...I know you are proud of your law degree.:)

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for watching!

[@markminister2599]

Because they can

[@aalegalfocus]

True!

[@SK-jf3mm]

U r so beautiful 😍😍

[@ed5141]

Pork chops

[@aalegalfocus]

??

[@TwinsTry]

so much good info - its so crazy - but sad too. its like this everywhere i'm sure in all professions

[@aalegalfocus]

It's tough in many professions. Lawyers don't get paid overtime & some employers don't care about work life balance.