The Former Lawyer Podcast

Sarah Cottrell
  • 4.8 (78)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Former Lawyer Podcast

Do you hate working as a lawyer? Are you an unhappy lawyer who wants to leave the law, but isn't sure what to do next? Do your family and friends think you're crazy for wanting to leave the law, or are you too afraid to tell them you don't want to be a lawyer? The Former Lawyer Podcast is for you! Each week, host Sarah Cottrell interviews a different former lawyer who has left the law behind. Hear inspiring stories about how these former lawyers are thriving and found their way to careers and lives they love.

  1. Why Your Values Are the First Step to Leaving the Law

    2 DAYS AGO

    Why Your Values Are the First Step to Leaving the Law

    Leaving the law starts with understanding your values. In this episode, Sarah explains why taking a deep dive into your values is the critical first step for any lawyer considering a career change. She shares how identifying what truly matters to you can uncover the root of your dissatisfaction and guide you toward a career that aligns with your priorities.Whether you’re unsure about your next step or ready to make a move, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you get started o...

    10 min
  2. A Clear Path to Leaving the Law This Year

    JAN 6

    A Clear Path to Leaving the Law This Year

    In today’s episode, Sarah kicks off the new year with an update on how you can work with her in 2025. If you’re starting the year thinking, ‘I can’t keep doing this,’ and you know you don’t want to be in the same place next year, this episode is for you. Sarah breaks down the options available to help you leave the law behind and create the change you’re ready for.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/252

    10 min
  3. Lawyers Hoping To Be Hit By A Bus Isn’t Normal, but Not Uncommon Either with Kelcey Baker

    12/30/2024

    Lawyers Hoping To Be Hit By A Bus Isn’t Normal, but Not Uncommon Either with Kelcey Baker

    This episode includes an important content warning for discussions of narcissism, narcissistic abuse, self-harm, and suicidality. This week on The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell welcomes back her client Kelcey Baker for a powerful conversation about the distressingly common experience among lawyers of wishing for a minor injury—like being hit by a bus—just to get a break from work. Kelcey and Sarah dive deep into the toxic environments in the legal profession that normalize extrem...

    40 min
  4. Disclosing ADHD and Other Mental Health Issues to Your Firm

    12/23/2024

    Disclosing ADHD and Other Mental Health Issues to Your Firm

    Previously, Lauren Ascher was on the podcast to discuss accommodations for lawyers with ADHD. It’s a good segue into an important conversation about disclosing ADHD and other mental health issues to your law firm. It’s no secret that there is a high incidence rate among lawyers for anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and other issues. In the United States, you are entitled to certain accommodations legally for disorders covered under the ADA. But a real challenge is deciding whether or...

    11 min
  5. How to Take A Mental Health Leave of Absence From Your Law Firm with Megan Nogasky

    12/16/2024

    How to Take A Mental Health Leave of Absence From Your Law Firm with Megan Nogasky

    For countless reasons, December can be a pretty rough month for lawyer's mental health. So for the next couple of weeks, we're going to have some re-releases of some episodes in the podcast dealing with mental health. So there will be three episodes. This first episode will be how to take a mental health leave of absence from your firm, and I'm joined by guest Megan Nogasky.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/176

    29 min
  6. I'm Not Here to Convince You to Leave the Law

    12/09/2024

    I'm Not Here to Convince You to Leave the Law

    On today’s podcast episode, Sarah clarifies a question she often hears when she tells people about the work she does: “Do all the lawyers who you work with end up leaving law?” There is a sense that she is trying to convince people to leave their careers as lawyers and move on to something else, and she wants to answer that question and chat about it.A fundamental belief that Sarah has is that people are the experts on their own experience. She is not trying to convince anyone of anything. Th...

    10 min
  7. From Law School to Literary Agent with Lilly Ghahremani

    12/02/2024

    From Law School to Literary Agent with Lilly Ghahremani

    Lilly Ghahremani knew from her first day of law school that she had made a mistake, but like so many lawyers, she kept going, earning her degree and even passing the bar. What came next wasn’t the traditional legal path but an unexpected journey into the publishing industry. Today, Lilly is a literary agent with over 20 years of experience, co-founder of Full Circle Literary, and an advocate for authors navigating the complex world of publishing.In this episode, Lilly shares how her legal bac...

    43 min
  8. How the Sunk Cost Fallacy Keeps Lawyers Stuck in the Law

    11/25/2024

    How the Sunk Cost Fallacy Keeps Lawyers Stuck in the Law

    Struggling with the fear of leaving law behind? This week, Sarah unpacks the sunk cost fallacy—a common mental block for lawyers considering a career change. She explores why we tend to overvalue past investments and undervalue the cost of staying in an unhealthy profession. You’ll also learn why leaving law doesn’t mean your legal experience is wasted. If you’ve ever felt stuck weighing the pros and cons of walking away, this episode is for you.Download Sarah’s free guide, First St...

    10 min
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4.8
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

Do you hate working as a lawyer? Are you an unhappy lawyer who wants to leave the law, but isn't sure what to do next? Do your family and friends think you're crazy for wanting to leave the law, or are you too afraid to tell them you don't want to be a lawyer? The Former Lawyer Podcast is for you! Each week, host Sarah Cottrell interviews a different former lawyer who has left the law behind. Hear inspiring stories about how these former lawyers are thriving and found their way to careers and lives they love.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Cottrell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Former Lawyer Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Former Lawyer Podcast

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