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  • I am a lawyer and can't stand it anymore. Any ideas/advice for a total career change? I am 40. What's the point of being depressed at work for the next 25 years, right?

    16 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]
    08.21.08, 01:50 PM [ Flag ]

    • what are you interested in? What do you do on your days off? How much of a pay cut can you take?

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      08.21.08, 01:51 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • what is your specialty?

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      08.21.08, 01:51 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • what do you like to do?why do you hate law?

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      08.21.08, 01:51 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • I am in corporate and hate every aspect of it, too much boredom, paper pushing, stress and so forth. I like computers and everything that has to do with it. Is there happiness in IT stuff for the legal world, but then again, I don't even want to deal with lawyers anymore. I think i could live on 75,000 or so, if the happiness factor would be there, even less in the beginning.

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        08.21.08, 01:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • i know someone who moved to knowledge management for law firms, and there are definitely lawyers that started IT consulting for law frims instead of practicing. that might be a start. in each case lower hours, less money, less stress

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          08.21.08, 01:57 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

          • Thanks, I should look into that. I feel like corporate lawyers will be replaced by computers one day anyway, at least for the crap that i am doing most of the time.

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            08.21.08, 02:05 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • OP: Anybody done a total 360 career wise at 40? Please share.

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      08.21.08, 01:51 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • I left biglaw when I was 30 (about 10 years ago) and went into consulting and made my way up to general counsel of boutique firm. It was a long road interrupted by several kids, but I'm really happy. I feel your pain though.

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      08.21.08, 02:03 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Keep in mind, you have a skill. Transition it into something you love.

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      08.21.08, 02:06 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Your problem is/will be affording a career change. I know so many attorneys who feel as you do - went out to get themselves a career change - and found themselves looking at 50-70% pay cuts.

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      08.21.08, 02:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Can you go in-house? I know it's tough to find but it's a much better lifestyle. I have done both- biglaw and in-house- and I am much happier at a corporation. My department is nicer and there is much less stress.

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      08.24.08, 07:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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