One In Four Lawyers Wants to Quit - Is It Time To Declare Your Independence?

Today's New York Lawyer is reporting a story today from the Times of London that one in four lawyers wants to quit the profession - apparently due to stress and long hours. This is distressing to me, while it isn't necessarily surprising - after all, my website is entitled Lawyer Meltdown.

According to the Times of London article, the increased pay offered to lawyers and law firm associates isn't increasing job satisfaction. The article also indicates that many managing partners would be happier in another job.

Interestingly, the article also indicates that 40 percent of those polled indicated that if they had done what they really wanted to do, they'd be writers or journalists.

My message to lawyers is this: DON'T DESPAIR - there IS a way to make a life in the law workable - and even enjoyable. There's no reason you have to be a slave to your practice. Law can be both lucrative and enjoyable, and it needn't be a 24 hour a day profession.

Law firms that continue to wear down their associates are going to be in for a rude awakening. Although many lawyers are afraid to leave their jobs because they need the money and security that their current position supplies, the face of the profession is changing, and as the solos and smaller firms learn to use the internet and technology to compete and to provide better service to clients, the big firms are going to lose their grip on the best associates - and the best clients.

There are plenty of opportunities for good lawyers who know how to attract and serve clients well. If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, maybe it's time to think about 'declaring your independence' from your present situation. There are plenty of resources out there for lawyers that want to make a change in their situation, or to go out on their own.

And by the way, if you're one of the 40% that really wanted to be a writer or journalist, start blogging, or writing articles, or create a firm newsletter. Not only will it help satisfy your literary cravings, but it will boost your visibility and help bring in business - and hopefully that will free you up to spend more time out of the office - or to leave that firm and start your own practice.