From Biglaw Misery to a Meaningful Career in Family Law

You've probably seen the headlines about major law firms pulling out of diversity programs and capitulating to executive orders. Sarah has been calling out these decisions and explaining why DEI isn't actually the problem in Biglaw. But what does someone who works specifically with diverse attorneys see when firms make these choices?Sarah recently talked with Bryson Malcolm, a legal recruiter who has unique insight into how these changes are playing out. He owns Mosaic Search Partners, a recruitment firm that focuses on historically underrepresented attorneys in Biglaw. When firms started abandoning their diversity commitments, Bryson had a front-row seat to the consequences.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/275

Experiencing lawyer burnout but telling yourself you shouldn't be struggling because you don't have kids or a partner? You're not alone. Many single and childless lawyers dismiss their burnout because they think others have it harder. In this episode, Sarah addresses why lawyer burnout is valid regardless of your relationship status or family situation. She explains how lawyers participate in "misery Olympics," comparing struggles instead of acknowledging that toxic work environments affect everyone's mental health. If you're a single or childless lawyer struggling with burnout, this episode will help you stop gaslighting yourself and start taking your mental health seriously.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/274

You're a senior associate who keeps telling yourself, "it'll get better when I make partner." But what if it doesn't? What if making partner actually makes things worse?In this episode, Sarah addresses the common misconception that partnership will solve the problems you hate about being a lawyer. She breaks down why so many lawyers who finally make partner realize they've made a terrible mistake, and explains the real reasons partnership decisions aren't actually merit-based.If you're a senior associate considering the partnership track, this episode will help you ask the right questions before you commit to a process that might not give you what you think it will.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/273

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 career in family law. We talk about the lies lawyers are told about prestige, the realities of mental health in the profession, and what it actually takes to build something better. Whether you’re thinking about leaving law or just changing how you practice it, Dan’s story is proof that you’re not trapped.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/272

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 everyday office dynamics, Sarah explains why cowardice thrives in Biglaw and how it impacts more than just the lawyers trapped inside these firms. If you’re feeling stuck in a toxic workplace or questioning whether it’s time to leave, this conversation will give you clarity—and your first steps toward getting out.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/271

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—not more prestige—is what law students really need. If you've ever wondered why the legal profession protects its own at the expense of young lawyers, this episode offers a candid look at what needs to change.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/270

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 often misses the mark, and how to recognize when toxic thinking is disguised as tough love.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/269.

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 of lawyers she’s worked with, and why the first step is always about knowing yourself better—not just updating your resume. She also talks about the importance of community when you’re making a big change, the real-life stories that keep inspiring her, and why it’s never too early to start exploring your options if you know law isn’t your forever career. If you’ve been sitting on the fence, this episode will give you a nudge and a whole lot of clarity.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/238

Lawyer and certified ADHD coach Annie Little returns to talk with Sarah about executive function, ADHD in the legal profession, and why so many lawyers struggle with time, organization, and burnout. They break down how ADHD brains actually work, what interest-based motivation means, and how understanding your brain can help you build a career that works for you—not against you. Whether you're diagnosed, undiagnosed, or just curious, this conversation offers practical insight and validation for lawyers navigating ADHD at any stage.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/267

Is DEI really the problem in Biglaw? Sarah doesn’t think so, and she’s not alone. In this episode, she breaks down why blaming diversity, equity, and inclusion for the profession’s longstanding issues is not only inaccurate, but dangerously out of touch. If you’re tired of the gaslighting and performative change in legal spaces, this conversation will help you feel seen, and remind you that you’re not imagining the disconnect between what firms say and how they actually operate.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/266