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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.
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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...
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
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
On today’s podcast episode, Sarah chats with Dan Branagan. He is a member of the Collab and a former lawyer who now works as a data analyst. They discuss how his journey to escape the legal grind and his process of finding other roles that might work for him using the program's framework. Let’s dive in and learn about Dan and his journey.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/248
In this episode, Sarah dives into how toxic workplaces—especially law firms—can lead to deep-rooted self-doubt and self-gaslighting. She breaks down the ways negative environments distort our sense of self-worth and confidence, making it feel impossible to see a way out.For those who feel trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, Sarah shares insights into how leaving a toxic legal environment can help you reconnect with your strengths and reclaim your confidence. If you're questioning whether it's t...
In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, host Sarah Cottrell talks with David Sazant, a former litigator who transitioned from practicing law to becoming a therapist. David shares how he recognized that his legal career was not in line with his personal values and explains the process he went through to make the leap into mental health. For those considering a career outside of the legal profession, especially in therapy, David’s story offers valuable insights and inspiration.Throughout ...
In this episode, Sarah dives into the toxic environment many law firms create by pushing junior associates to take responsibility for generating work they have no control over. She exposes how leadership fails to support their teams, leading to stress and anxiety for those just starting their legal careers. If you’re tired of being blamed for a lack of billables, this episode is for you. Plus, learn how to take action and explore new career options.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/245
In this episode, Sarah revisits a conversation with her client, Adrian Hern, who shares her journey through The Collab and the Collab Plus One-on-One Program.Adrian opens up about her experience as a lawyer stuck in a toxic work environment, how she found her way to a new career, and the life-changing results, including a 40% salary increase. If you're worried that leaving the law means sacrificing your income or identity, this episode is a must-listen to see how making a change is not only p...
Have you ever wondered why all your hard work at the firm isn't paying off the way you expected? In this episode, Sarah exposes the myth of meritocracy in law firms and how it fuels imposter syndrome for even the most accomplished lawyers. She reveals the hidden reasons behind why your efforts might be going unrecognized and shares how you can break free from the toxic environment that's holding you back. If you're tired of questioning your worth and ready to see the truth, hit play and recla...
In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, host Sarah Cottrell shares a conversation with Annie Little about disclosing ADHD and other neurodivergent or mental health conditions in the workplace, specifically within Biglaw. As October is ADHD Awareness Month, Sarah highlights the challenges lawyers face when considering disclosure and the systemic issues in law firms that often fail to provide adequate support. Tune in for an insightful discussion about the complexities of navigating legal...
In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell tackles a topic that has been coming up in many of her conversations with clients: the overwhelming feeling that you just don’t want to work anymore. If you’ve ever felt like you hate working and can’t imagine enjoying any job, especially after working in a toxic legal environment, this episode is for you. Sarah discusses how burnout, particularly in lawyers, can make you feel like you’re broken, but she’s here to tell you—you’...
In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell talks with Victoria Collier, founder of Quid Pro Quo Law, about the process of preparing a law firm for sale. Victoria shares her own journey, from building her practice to successfully selling it, and offers critical insights into the steps lawyers can take to make their firms scalable and attractive to buyers. From establishing processes and delegating tasks to cleaning up financials, Victoria breaks down the key factors that make...
The Former Lawyer framework has recently received a glow-up, and this podcast episode covers all the fun updates. Sarah has a few things that stuck out to her and would be the most helpful to anyone considering becoming a former lawyer. She covers those items in this episode to highlight them for all the podcast listeners considering joining.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/241
Today’s podcast episode features a conversation between Sarah and a member of the Collab, Liza Hanks. Liza made a career transition out of practicing law after 22 years, and they discussed how the Collab played a role in her transition and decision-making process. This conversation is helpful for anyone considering making their transition out of law and looking for some assistance in the process. The Collab has undergone some fantastic updates recently, and it’s a perfect time to join. Read o...
You may have worked in a workplace or more than one legal workplace where they said that they had a no-asshole rule.Clearly, there are many people who have worked in similar workplaces because this episode is one of the most downloaded episodes. Again, it's one of the ones I hear about the most from people because there is so much agreement with the fact that the no-asshole rule is, in fact, a myth. Here are my thoughts about the no-asshole rule.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/139
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