Ellen Ostrow, Ph.D., Editor
Ellen is the founder of LawyersLifeCoach.com ™
Providing Personal and Career Coaching for
Women Lawyers
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OUR PERSPECTIVE
Women lawyers live impossibly busy lives. Finding
a balance between work and life, deciding on the
best practice area or work setting, and making
career transitions can be a daunting task, even
for the most gifted and accomplished attorney.
Just as every person deserves the best possible
legal counsel, every woman attorney deserves
professional, dedicated support in accomplishing
her most important goals. You know how hard you've
worked to get where you are; you serve others, both
personally and professionally. You've earned the
right to a stimulating and fulfilling life.
This newsletter is intended to help you create a
satisfying life -- within, or outside of -- legal
practice.
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"The Case Against Being Trapped By The Law"
"If you think you can or you think you can't, you are right."
Henry Ford
An extremely bright and accomplished woman attorney
recently explained to me why it was impossible for
her to do anything but practice law at this point
in her life. Having worked in both government and
private settings, she was certain she had a clear idea
of what her chosen profession entailed and had concluded
that no area of the law would hold her interest.
She had a very clear sense of personal priorities and
knew she wanted family to come before work. She did
not apologize for her unwillingness to work a 60-80-
hour week.
But her remaining law school debt loomed largely
before her. And furthermore, she just couldn't
imagine not being a lawyer -- not after having
invested so much time, money and hard work in
her field.
Essentially, she believed she was trapped -- that
she had no options except to continue doing the
work she was trained to do and to remain forever
dissatisfied.
In my experience, this is a fate to which many
lawyers believe they are doomed. But the fact
is that dissatisfied attorneys can find rewarding
work both within and outside of the legal world. I've
worked with lawyers who are now teachers, writers,
marketing executives, entrepreneurs, lobbyists, private
investigators, legal career counselors, mediators, and
psychologists, to name only a few. I've also seen
attorneys transform their lives by changing practice
areas, moving from a large to a small firm, transitioning
into academics, and choosing alternative work arrangements.
But before you can make a change, you have to believe that
you can. Here are some of the common myths that keep
lawyers feeling trapped in their jobs - myths that need to
be debunked.
I will review each of the myths underlying this
attorney's arguments and offer what I believe is
a more realistic appraisal of the situation.
1. MYTH: It is irrational and wasteful to choose
not to practice law after completing a legal education.
REALITY: Many professionals consider a legal
education to be the best type of overall
training a person can have. Your legal
education will never be wasted, regardless
of the work you choose to do.
2. MYTH: Your work experience gives you a thorough
and realistic picture of the universe of
legal practice.
REALITY: Most lawyers, as most other professionals,
are aware of only a small percentage of work
options available to them. In reality, you have
a large menu of job opportunities from which to
choose. Until you've investigated every practice
area; the advantages and disadvantages of work in
large, medium, small and solo practices; and
opportunities in all levels of government,
law schools, the judiciary, public interest, bar
associations, business and education, you have only
a beginning knowledge of the possibilities within
legal practice.
To get ideas, check the ABA website (abanet.org) and
follow the links to every section and practice area.
Go to your local Women's Bar Association meetings
and network with lawyers from different work settings.
Certainly, if you decide to change practice
area, you'll have to make yourself marketable.
But there are steps to follow and role models
to inspire you; many women lawyers have already
paved the way to success.
3. MYTH: There is no other way to produce sufficient
income to pay down law school debt besides
continuing to work as a lawyer.
REALITY: There's no question that law school debt
can be daunting. But so is the prospect
of spending your life feeling trapped. There
are many ways of generating income once
you leave the law behind. By pursuing your
"right livelihood," you'll put yourself in a
better position to pay off your debt in the
long run simply because you'll be more effective
and successful in your new field.
4. MYTH: You'll need another degree to find a
job outside of legal practice.
REALITY: Consider the skills you've acquired
through law school and your legal experience:
the ability to write clearly and persuasively,
to think on your feet, to think analytically,
and to communicate effectively, to synthesize ideas,
problem-solve, advocate and advise.
Although certain professions (like medicine)
require a degree for licensure, many of the
careers you're likely to consider will
value the skills and training you've already
acquired. Most will require experiential
training (internships, for example) rather
than degrees. Though some schooling may be
required, it probably won't be as rigorous
(or expensive) as law school was.
The key to finding career satisfaction either
within, or outside of, the law is to:
-- do a thorough self-assessment of
your interests, talents, values and
passions
-- carefully and thoroughly research
all the possible options available
to you -- including many possibilities
you've never before considered
-- conduct extensive informational interviews
to ensure that the work you're considering
fits with your life, not just your interests
-- make a long-term, step-by-step plan which
includes strategies for addressing financial
needs
Many attorneys find it easier to accomplish the above
steps and ultimately reach their new career objectives
by establishing an ongoing relationship with a
professional coach. Coaching is convenient -- since
it's conducted via telephone (with email and fax backup)
you don't need to add travel time to your busy schedule.
And the structured, task-focused nature of coaching can
allow you to accomplish your objectives more efficiently.
Recommended reading:
Arron, Deborah (1999). "What Can You Do With a Law
Degree?" Seattle: Niche Press.
Greenberg, Hindi (1998). "The Lawyer's Career Change
Handbook." New York: Avon Books.
Mantis, Hillary (1997)."The Princeton Review -
Alternative Careers for Lawyers." New York:
Random House.
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BEYOND THE BILLABLE HOUR ™ is published monthly by
Ellen Ostrow, Ph.D., founder of LawyersLifeCoach.com.
She brings 20 years of experience assisting women
attorneys to her work in Lawyers Life Coach ™.
LawyersLifeCoach.com is a professional and personal
coaching firm specializing in working virtually (by
phone with email and fax backup) with women attorneys
interested in developing strategies to find greater
satisfaction in their careers within the law or
in exploring career alternatives for lawyers.
Ellen Ostrow, Ph.D. established Lawyerslifecoach.com
to coach busy lawyers who might benefit from the
insights gained from 20 years as a psychologist
combined with her experience and familiarity with
the legal profession.
Ellen holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
from the University of Rochester and is a managing
member of Metropolitan Behavioral Health Care, LLC.,
a multispecialty, multidisciplinary psychotherapy
practice in Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland.
She is a member of the International Coach Federation
and a graduate of the Mentor Coach Program ™.
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NOTE: BEYOND THE BILLABLE HOUR ™ is intended
for informational and educational purposes only.
It is not a substitute for a personal consultation
with a mental health professional and should not
be construed as a form of, or substitute for,
counseling, psychotherapy, or other psychological
service.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Ellen Ostrow, Ph.D.
LawyersLifeCoach.com
Phone: (301) 578-8686
email: Ellen@LawyersLifeCoach.com
Web: http://LawyersLifeCoach.com
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(c)Copyright 2000 Ellen Ostrow. All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights: The above material is copyrighted
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However, you may not copy it to a web site.
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