236 episodes

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.

The Former Lawyer Podcast Sarah Cottrell

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 72 Ratings

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.

    Navigating Lawyering and New Career Paths with Chronic Health Conditions with Emily Whelden

    Navigating Lawyering and New Career Paths with Chronic Health Conditions with Emily Whelden

    Today’s podcast episode focuses on what it’s like to work in law with chronic illnesses. Emily Whelden is a former lawyer who now works at Dixon Life Coaching, mostly with clients have ADHD and other chronic illnesses. Many podcast listeners have requested this conversation, and today it's happening.
    She is chatting with Sarah about her experience leaving the law and the subject of chronic illnesses. 
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/222
     

    • 43 min
    An Existential Crisis When Leaving the Law Isn't a Sign of Failure

    An Existential Crisis When Leaving the Law Isn't a Sign of Failure

    Lawyers expect to follow a perfectly laid-out path. It’s natural. When the next step in any journey isn’t clear, it feels like something is wrong. In today’s podcast episode, Sarah talks about moments when you feel like you’re having an existential crisis, but that doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. 
    When you feel like you’re having an existential crisis, it might feel like you’re in a vacuum. If you want to join a group of like-minded individuals, join the Collab. Sarah created this group to make it easier to navigate the process and find community. It doesn’t mean you won’t still feel lost, but you’ll have others that understand what you’re going through. 
    It’s normal to feel like you’re having an existential crisis when working through the process of leaving the law. You are not doing anything wrong, and you aren’t alone. Keep going and seek out some people to talk to.
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/221
     

    • 8 min
    From Lawyer to Professional Development and Legal Recruiting with Adriana Paris

    From Lawyer to Professional Development and Legal Recruiting with Adriana Paris

    On today’s podcast, Sarah is chatting with Adriana Paris. Adriana stopped practicing law after ten years and moved into a new role at a law firm. She is the director of professional development and legal recruiting for a regional law firm with about 100 lawyers.
    In addition, she has a coaching business on the side where she helps lawyers with personal productivity, which helps them create time and space for themselves. 
     
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/182
     

    • 54 min
    Empowering Change: Updates from the Legal Accountability Project with Aliza Shatzman

    Empowering Change: Updates from the Legal Accountability Project with Aliza Shatzman

    Today’s podcast episode brings back a previous guest to update listeners. Aliza Shatzman previously appeared to talk with Sarah about The Legal Accountability Project.
    She co-founded this project based on a nightmare clerkship scenario she faced and wanted to help lawyers find recourse if they find themselves in this situation. 
    She is sharing where things are today and the initiatives they’ve made progress on in the last year.
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/219
     

    • 34 min
    How to Shift Professionally From Lawyer to Chief Marketing Officer with Ashley Carlisle

    How to Shift Professionally From Lawyer to Chief Marketing Officer with Ashley Carlisle

    After leaving law, former lawyers follow many career paths depending on their interests and skills. Today’s podcast episode features a conversation with Ashley Carlisle, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of HyperDraft.
    If you are considering marketing as an option after leaving the law, this podcast has some great information for you.
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/218
     

    • 49 min
    Unraveling the Startling Parallels Between Narcissism in Family Units and Law Firms

    Unraveling the Startling Parallels Between Narcissism in Family Units and Law Firms

    Narcissism is a word that is often associated with lawyers for many reasons. On today’s podcast episode, Sarah is chatting with Kelcey Baker about the fact that many lawyers have relationships with narcissists. Narcissism is a topic that more people are discussing now, and part of the reason is that there is more awareness and understanding of what it is.
    This episode includes a conversation about those who have grown up in a narcissistic daily or had a romantic or platonic relationship with a narcissist and how that might set them up for a later experience of functioning in a narcissistic system, like a law firm.
    Narcissism plays a big role in the legal profession. Many individuals with narcissistic traits are drawn to the law and the legal system. This podcast has covered topics similar to this one in the past, like the episode about the signs of malignant narcissism in the legal profession and how to handle bullying in law firms. This pair has also worked together on an episode where you can hear more of Kelcey’s experience.
    See show notes at formerlawyer.com/217
     

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
72 Ratings

72 Ratings

TheStaceyHarris ,

A must for anyone even thinking about thinking about leaving the law

If you’re feeling the push to leave the law Sarah shares incredible and actionable insights + hear from former lawyers about their experiences leaving the law.

Meggers1233 ,

Thank You

Thank you for this podcast. Relatable and well thought out. Feels great that someone gets it!

Elizabeth in VA ,

Great podcast!

So happy to have found this podcast.

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