A legal career isn’t just a job. It’s a lifestyle.

With most lawyers embarking on this path in their late twenties or early thirties, decades stretch ahead before retirement. This substantial commitment demands more than just time and energy – it requires deep personal reflection. Are you truly where you want to be? Do you feel fulfilled by the demanding profession you’ve chosen? For many, the answer is no. It’s in that realization that the powerful decision to pivot often begins.

Deciding whether or not it is time to pivot can be an exciting but daunting step to take. Here are some considerations that lawyers may want to reflect on before making the decision to pivot:

Do you want to completely change industries? Or are you looking to grow within your current industry?

One of the first questions that helps determine whether someone should pivot in their career is: what do I want to pivot towards? Do you like your current work but want to go to a new firm? Do you want to make a big jump from transactional law to litigation? Do you want to leave the law altogether and become a baker?

Understanding where you want to go is the first step in planning a successful pivot. This allows lawyers to see their next destination and begin leveraging their skillset in a new way so they can take that next career step.

Do you want to stay at your current firm? Or do you want to go somewhere else?

Another important question for lawyers to ask themselves is whether they want to stay at the same firm or leave it. For lawyers who enjoy their coworkers and firm culture, they may want to look into pivoting to a new team at their current firm. For others, however, they may find that there are better cultural fits outside their current firm. Some examples that people may consider when pivoting are the size of a firm, the culture, the in person/remote expectations, and the areas of practice.

Additionally, lawyers may want to consider the type of organization for which they want to work. Do they want to work in-house at a corporation? Do they want to work at a court? Do they want to work for a nonprofit? Depending on the type of organization they work for, lawyers may have different expectations for work hours, salary, benefits, and culture.

Financially, what salary range can you afford?

Determining the financial implications of a pivot is also critical for lawyers to consider before pivoting. Lawyers should assess their current income, expenses, and benefits packages and determine how a potential change to these areas would impact their lifestyle. This can include taking on a different job that may initially have a lower salary but offers more fulfillment or seeking a role with a higher salary to meet new financial goals. Lawyers may also recognize that a pivot might mean a temporary pay cut, but the long-term benefits could outweigh this short-term sacrifice.

Where do you want to work?

Where a lawyer wants to work is also critical when considering a pivot. If a lawyer is looking to pivot to a remote job, there are potentially more firms and organizations that they can seek out beyond those in their close geographic proximity. However, as most legal roles require some in person component or are totally in person, looking for roles in the geographic region where the lawyer lives (or wants to live) is important. Lawyers should also consider whether they are admitted to practice law in some jurisdictions or whether they would have to become licensed again. The commute to and from a job should be considered by lawyers when making this decision, too, as it can quickly add hours to a lawyer’s work week.

Can you explain why you want to pivot? What is your elevator pitch?

Lawyers will be asked this question by recruiters and interviewers during their job search. Lawyers need to be able to explain their motivation clearly and concisely. The elevator pitch should explain why a lawyer wants to make the change and how their experience has prepared them for this new role. It is important to communicate the transition with confidence, framing it as a thoughtful and intentional next step in their career rather than an escape from a current job.

Overall, pivoting from one job to another can be intimidating for lawyers. However, if they ask themselves the right questions, determine the specific role they want to obtain, have the courage to put themselves out there, and apply for new jobs, their options are endless.

John W. Reilly
Author of The Brand-New Lawyer’s Guide to Passing the Bar, Learning the Trade, and Building a Sustainable Career
johnwreilly.com
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