The Former Lawyer Podcast

The Former Lawyer Podcast

By Sarah Cottrell

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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12/22/25

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

Sometimes people ask Sarah, "Do all the lawyers you work with end up leaving law?" She gets the sense they think she's trying to convince people to abandon their legal careers, like she's running some kind of exit campaign. Let her be clear. She's no… Read more

12/15/25

The Best First Step When You're Not Ready to Leave Law Yet

Maybe you're thinking about leaving the law, but you aren't quite sure you're ready to start working through the process. You're thinking, "I really think this isn't for me, I definitely want to get out eventually, but maybe not at this exact moment.… Read more

12/08/25

Why Community Support Matters When You're Leaving the Law

When lawyers start thinking about leaving, they focus on the practical steps. What career should I pursue? How do I update my resume? What skills do I need? Those things matter, but Sarah consistently hears from lawyers that they underestimated somet… Read more

12/01/25

The One Decision Unhappy Lawyers Must Make Before Changing Careers

Most people who are thinking about leaving the law spend a long time in a familiar place. They know their job feels awful, they say it to themselves and to other people, and they imagine how much better things could be somewhere else.  But imagining … Read more

11/24/25

When “I Invested Too Much to Leave the Law” Becomes the Reason You Stay Stuck

There comes a point where the math you’ve been doing in your head stops adding up. You spent years in school. You passed the bar. You took on the loans. You built the career you were told would make it all worth it. Now you’re tired, anxious, or chec… Read more

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