A reflection on the author’s need and ability to exit the profession.
As we are now half way over 2026, I have come to realization that when I think of the legal profession, one phrase comes to mind: It’s not me, it’s YOU. I have worked in this profession for the past almost 11 years beginning at my local DA’s office, then at a small two attorney firm and now for the past almost 9 years, my own practice. At each turn, I have learned valuable lessons but the one thing that has stood out me since the very beginning, like literally since the first month of practice, that hasn’t really changed: WOW. THIS JOB SUCKS.
Sure, there have been clients helped along the way and the rewarding feeling of making a difference in someone’s life happens very occasionally (And it is beautiful when it -barely- happens), despite what movies and tv shows portray. But overall, the days are a mundane slog dealing with difficult problems belonging to people at their worst all in the name of generating more and more fees for my practice. Because yes, the point of a business is to make money. Add to that the inauthentic interactions with other lawyers, judges and other members of the profession and I have come to feel like all that I envisioned a legal career to be is just not an actual reality.
You see, in the USA, most lawyers, like most ordinary people do not have a lot of financial leverage. Meaning that they overly depend on their jobs to keep themselves afloat. Many of my peers I graduated law school with still cary large amounts of student loan debt and many have succumbed to the golden handcuffs of acquiring more unnecessary materialistic goods like a new car, bigger house, fancier wardrobe that comes with high monthly costs. So, my theory is many of these attorneys have to put on a mask and basically be as fake as possible at varying networking events to try to solidify whatever ulterior motive they have and keep that unleveraged lifestyle moving. Basically, they have interact in this very robotic and inauthentic manner at all times to serve their own shallow purpose. Now that i’m in my late 30s as a father of young children, I really don’t have the patience to deal with this crap anymore. If I don’t click with someone or really care for networking, I won’t put myself through it for the purposes of “gaining more business” or whatever. I frankly find this very annoying and it’s a big reason why I feel the profession is beyond saving. The inauthenticity of practitioners that reek of desperation is glaring.
However, I’m also appreciative of what the profession has given me. For all of its faults, law is still a lucrative business and I’m blessed to call myself a liquid multi millionaire. And, my practice continues to provide the kind of liquid cash flow and savings rate that makes sticking this out a little while longer, worth it. For now, at least. In a later post, I intend to breakdown a rough estimate of my assets and how each was acquired in an effort to give the reader perspective and inspiration that they too can achieve a leveraged lifestyle. While these statements are true, it is also true that I recognize that my practice and time in the profession has a shelf life that is nearing completion. I have certain financial goals that I want accomplished before I move on. I do, however, fear the lack of structure that leaving the law behind may bring. I understand, these are what many would consider “Champagne Problems” but they are problems nonetheless.
To counter against this perceived lack of structure, below are some ideas I have in mind on how to fill my time as future “unemployed” dad of young kids::: Adjunct at my local college a few times a week, get more involved in my church leadership board at a volunteer level, take this blog more seriously, create short films, focus on developing my art, do some consulting work on the side through an applicable web platform, coach basketball and potentially as a business, write a book on my experience.
I think if I dedicate my time to any of these pursuits, I can solve the question most retirement gurus ask someone in my shoes: What does a random Tuesday at 10 am look like?
Here’s to hoping things go smooth and continue to be prosperous into 2027. Here is to hopefully, my last dance. The 16 month countdown begins NOW.
Leave a Reply