You Don’t Need Permission to Leave the Law and Here’s Why

On today’s podcast, Sarah is chatting with a familiar guest who has been on the podcast several times. It’s her husband, Ed Cottrell. They met in law school and graduated at the same time. Ed’s path took a different route than Sarah’s, and he now works in the tech field after leaving law. Today's conversation explores the common interest of many lawyers Sarah speaks with to explore jobs in tech. If you’ve been curious about getting a tech job or want to learn more about Ed’s journey.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/261

Many lawyers contemplating leaving the profession assume the process is complicated. The reality? It’s actually very simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell breaks down the difference between something being simple but difficult versus complicated but easy, and how this applies to leaving the law. The truth is, figuring out what’s next isn’t complex, but doing the work to make a change is hard. That’s why she created The Former Lawyer Collab because even though the steps are clear, having support and guidance can make all the difference. See show notes at formerlawyer.com/260

If you’re thinking about leaving the law but feel stuck, ask yourself this question. Who are you waiting for permission from?Many lawyers aren’t just worried about logistics. They feel like they need approval. They worry about how their family, friends, or partner will react. They feel the need to justify their decision and have others validate that leaving is the right move.But the only permission you need is your own.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/259

Sarah Cottrell talks with Amisha DeYoung-Dominguez, a former lawyer who transitioned into public service, on this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast.Amisha, now a congressional staffer, shares her winding journey through law school, legal aid, and government work—ultimately realizing that practicing law wasn’t the right fit. Her story highlights the struggle many lawyers face, the pressure to stay in the profession despite clear signs it isn’t working. Through The Former Lawyer Collab, Amisha found the clarity and support she needed to make the leap into a fulfilling new career.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/258

Many former lawyers who stepped away from their careers to be stay-at-home parents eventually find themselves wondering how to re-enter the workforce—without going back to practicing law. On this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, host Sarah Cottrell addresses this exact challenge, breaking down the key steps for making the transition while avoiding the pressure to return to legal practice.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/257

In this re-released episode, Former Lawyer Collab members share the biggest surprises they’ve encountered while figuring out what’s next. From discovering unexpected support from other former lawyers to realizing just how much law school and legal practice shaped their identity, these insights reveal what happens when you step outside the legal bubble. If you're considering leaving the law, these reflections might surprise you too.Sarah also shares an update on Former Lawyer’s commitment to donating 1% of its gross revenue to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and an additional 1% to the ACLU. If you'd like to support these organizations, you can find more information here:Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)ACLULearn more about the Former Lawyer Collab: formerlawyer.com/collab

In this re-released episode, Former Lawyer Collab members share the biggest myths they believed about leaving the law—myths that held them back from making a change. From the fear of being seen as a failure to the belief that legal work has to be miserable, these insights highlight how shifting your mindset can open up new possibilities.Sarah also shares an update on Former Lawyer’s commitment to donating 1% of its gross revenue to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and an additional 1% to the ACLU. If you'd like to support these organizations, you can find more information here:Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)ACLULearn more about the Former Lawyer Collab: formerlawyer.com/collab

This week, I'm re-releasing an episode featuring Former Lawyer Collab members sharing the simple yet transformative realizations that helped them move forward in their journey out of the law. From understanding their values to accepting that it’s okay to want something different, these stories highlight the small mindset shifts that can make a huge impact.Sarah also shares an update about Former Lawyer’s commitment to donating 1% of its gross revenue to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and, moving forward, an additional 1% to the ACLU. If you'd like to join in supporting these organizations, you can find more information on their sites.Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)ACLULearn more about the Former Lawyer Collab: formerlawyer.com/collab

In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell gets real about why so many Millennials feel stuck in the pursuit of success. As an elder Millennial herself, she unpacks the pressures lawyers face to maintain a certain lifestyle or salary—pressures that often come from family expectations, societal norms, and internalized beliefs about what success “should” look like.Sarah shares personal insights, client stories, and some hard questions to help you rethink whether the life you’re chasing actually aligns with your values. She also dives into how therapy can play a game-changing role in breaking free from the “success trap” and building a life that works for you.If you’ve ever found yourself feeling trapped by career expectations or the idea that you’re supposed to suffer to succeed, this episode is for you. You don’t have to settle for burnout—there’s a way forward.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/256

Many lawyers worry that leaving the law for the corporate world won’t fix their work-life balance struggles. In this episode, Sarah explores why corporate jobs aren’t all the same, how to identify workplaces that align with your values, and why you’re not doomed to hate every job you take.See show notes at formerlawyer.com/255