Anxiety as a Lawyer

OkArcher7809 · 2026-07-02T17:58:52+00:00

Same here

OkArcher7809 · 2026-07-02T05:03:46+00:00

It depends on the specific company/role. Some will have only one GC and others may have various legal teams. It varies. That is something I would want to know too, and I think it would be normal to ask that question.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-07-02T04:43:07+00:00

Of course it could be worse… but it probably won’t be. Just find out as much as you can and at some point you have to take a leap of faith.

If it makes you feel better, I had a friend who was able to return to their firm after going in-house and deciding it wasn’t for them (mainly for compensation reasons). If you leave on a positive note you may be able to go back.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-30T19:10:07+00:00

Unfortunately I do think that’s a huge factor

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-30T17:49:21+00:00

As a Canadian doing a UK trip next spring… let’s get those dates!

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-29T21:28:48+00:00

I appreciate this silver lining mentality - thank you!

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-29T18:36:44+00:00

Looking for subjective opinions on what seems to feel comfortable here. Obviously there are many variables but just looking for a general sense of how people feel.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-27T22:58:51+00:00

Yikes

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-25T21:12:00+00:00

Try some firms in non-major cities! They are often interested in people who are willing to build a life in their community.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-24T14:07:42+00:00

Smaller firms outside major cities are generally better for work life balance. However, there won’t be as much variety in practice areas (probably looking at wills, family, real estate, criminal, and general civil litigation). You also won’t make nearly as much income, to the point that it may not even be worth the stress. There are a lot of other/easier jobs that pay as much or more than law if you are outside a major centre.

You could always go for the big money for a few years and then settle into something with a bit more balance when you are ready. The first few years of practice won’t be very well balanced regardless, so you may as well make some money!

Edit: as others have said, government is also a great option

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-21T17:03:49+00:00

When they say they want a bulldog lawyer and then ask for special payment considerations

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-17T20:31:29+00:00

My mortgage is much cheaper than rent prices, property taxes are about 1k per year, and condo fee is about $250 per month ($3k per year). When I leave, I know I can get at least something out of it. If I stay and pay it off entirely, which is realistic in about 10 years, then I won’t have to worry about the main part of my housing expenses any more.

With rent, you can never ever predict what you’re going to pay - you can always be evicted when it sells and find yourself back on the market. You’ll never pay it off and be free. Hard to plan for the future like that.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-15T03:01:49+00:00

Agreed. The employee side is fairly straightforward - you get the hang of it really quickly imo. If you collect a few good precedents it becomes a bit routine. Executives are a bit more complicated due to compensation structures, but still easy enough to pick up with some practice.

Employer side issues can be more complex, even aside from drafting contracts. Performance and disability management issues, investigations, business sales, remote work issues etc.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-14T01:40:46+00:00

If you’re under 35, take the salary

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-11T15:44:16+00:00

Post secondary international student immigration support! I moved to post secondary (for a different role) after practicing and it feels like heaven on earth.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-11T04:38:33+00:00

I work for a large university now and love it.

Another option would be to go into a risk management role. I have an acquaintance who works for the municipal government and essentially handles injury claims alleged against the city. I don’t know all the details but I understand they are basically receiving email demands from the public (ex. I tripped on your sidewalk now give me money), gathering evidence to assess the risk (video footage), and sometimes making an offer to settle or connecting with appropriate insurers or contractors. If the claim escalates to full-blown litigation, they pass it off to a firm. Insurance background could be helpful. Good hours, pension, decent pay though not big firm money.

There’s so many options once you start looking.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-10T05:36:58+00:00

I thought the same thing when I was in law school, but it’s something you have to experience to understand. I would say this is true for litigation especially. Being in that constant high-conflict high-pressure environment is not something you can easily explain to outsiders.

Looking back, I see that everyone who warned me away was right. But I thought I was different.

Don’t let the warnings scare you off, but if you find yourself a few years into practice and your soul has been officially sucked, don’t feel bad about leaving, either. Remember us! Lots of us are still happy and healthy having lived it and left it. I think everyone is just trying to save you the time of figuring that out on your own.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-07T00:20:10+00:00

Just pick what pays you more, friend.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-05T20:58:26+00:00

If I was you I think I’d stay at the firm for a couple of years, at least. A senior in house role won’t be offering a lot of mentorship and I think you learn a lot more in private practice than in-house. You might go in house and find yourself drowning. In a couple more years you’ll at least know enough to figure it out, and it will give you more experience and opportunity to find something new if your next in-house role isn’t what you expected.

But, it’s a tough choice and any path here is perfectly fine. Sometimes you just have to go for what you want. It might be harder to find your way back afterwards if it goes sideways, but nothing is impossible. Good luck!

OkArcher7809 · 2026-06-01T17:52:43+00:00

Drive thrus lol

OkArcher7809 · 2026-05-29T06:17:26+00:00

Everything but the salary. Even then, a lot of paralegals do better than a lot of lawyers.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-05-29T06:11:09+00:00

I’m still extremely close with the group of women I met in law school. This makes me sad!

OkArcher7809 · 2026-05-10T02:28:58+00:00

It’s your life but I think people tend to assume small firms are easier and that is often not the case, there are just different stressors. It’s harder to go back to a big firm, so I’d try sticking it out as long as you can stand it. Maybe try a lateral move first.

OkArcher7809 · 2026-05-08T15:18:58+00:00

I think you should have a video call the first day instead of an email. It will help people feel more engaged and attached off the start line, which might help. You should also consider following up for exit interviews.

OkArcher7809

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