Why does it feel so hard for a lawyer to change career?

Why is it so hard for a lawyer to change career?  

This is a question I’m asked by non-lawyers. What’s the big deal?  

And for us #lawyers, we’re often not sure why it feels so hard. It just does.  

The answers are many-layered and touch on deep issues such as security but start with identity. As with any change, it is foolish to start with strategy - why don't you just do X/move to Y/study Z. This approach often fails. Just as much with companies as with people. When I’m working with teams in companies, the ‘team brand’ workshop is a key pivot point – the team starts to cohere and pull together around their new identity. Aspirational but founded in truth and real possibility.  

Most lawyers made the decision to follow this career path at a young age. Usually the latest age is about 23, most often younger. This is at a time in our lives when we are forging our adult identity. Law offers a safe port in the late adolescent storm. One that everyone around us understands. One that most of our parents approve of. We can almost hear the collective sighs of relief all round. At last we have a universally understood answer to the perennial question “what are you going to do?” … “I’m going to be a lawyer”. And from there we forge an identity. We – and our friends and family – have a cast iron label to attach to us “They’re a lawyer”...”I’m a lawyer”. Think how many times you must have said that in your life, how many times everyone around us has described us as this. 

I struggled with identity even with the shift from private practice equity partner to general counsel at a social media agency and then further to executive coach and trainer. I remember saying to friends “I don’t know what I look like now”.   The daily question of what to get out of the wardrobe in the morning reflecting the inner confusion – much more than a mere move from City suits.  

So what to do if you’re a lawyer looking to switch?  

First, let me reassure you that you don’t need to junk the label entirely. I felt huge relief when I realised it was an asset to describe myself as a “lawyer turned...” The label still has currency and does not undermine your new role. As with any brand it carries a bundle of meaning – dedication, intelligence, application, seriousness, rigour – that is valued.  

Secondly, know this is about stories. You have a strong, well-told story attached to your lawyer identity. Start by creating your new story. This is a foundation part of what we work on in Leap from Law, my course helping lawyers to create a new career.  Give your new identity, your new story, a name. Get to know it. Identify the values and purpose that form part of your new story. Embrace your values, your purpose, your skills and interests - often a positive, so far untold part of you. It is there I promise you. If you are feeling the call to make a #careerchange, it is ready to break out. Just remember to have fun doing it!