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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06/16/25

From Biglaw Misery to a Meaningful Career in Family Law

Dan Lemon thought Biglaw was the peak—until the job started crushing his mental health. What looked like success on paper was making his life unlivable.  In this conversation, Dan shares how he went from corporate litigation to a more meaningful care… Read more

06/09/25

Biglaw Leaders are Cowards and the Effects are More Obvious Now than Ever

Biglaw has a cowardice problem, and it’s more visible than ever. In this episode, Sarah Cottrell breaks down how toxic law firm culture grooms and rewards leaders who prioritize self-preservation over real change.  From the recent DEI rollbacks to ev… Read more

06/02/25

Supporting The Legal Accountability Project Because Transparency Shouldn’t Be Controversial

Sarah shares why she donates to The Legal Accountability Project, a nonprofit working to bring transparency to the judicial clerkship system.  She talks about the power judges hold, how law schools often ignore bad behavior, and why more information—… Read more

05/26/25

Reddit and Fishbowl Are Great—Except When They're Not

Reddit and Fishbowl can feel like the only places lawyers can be honest about how bad it really is. But even in these “safe” spaces, the lawyer bubble shows up.  In this episode, Sarah shares what she sees in these anonymous forums, why the advice of… Read more

05/19/25

Five Years of Helping Lawyers Leave the Law inside The Former Lawyer Collaborative

Sarah is celebrating five years of The Former Lawyer Collab—and reflecting on what it’s taught her about helping lawyers leave the law. In this episode, she shares the behind-the-scenes of building the program, the patterns she’s seen in the hundreds… Read more

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