In her reflective piece “A Life in the Law,” longtime trial attorney Susan Cohodes offers insights gained from decades of small-firm practice and her ongoing transition into a reduced work schedule. As she moves through her second year of practicing part time, she has come to a meaningful realization: her career, her office, and even her identity as a lawyer were never meant to revolve solely around her presence.
For years, she carried a quiet fear that stepping back from full-time practice would cause everything at her firm to unravel. She worried that hearings, depositions, urgent client needs, and even basic day-to-day tasks would fall apart without her constant involvement. However, after embracing a less demanding schedule, she discovered that the work continued smoothly — and the world kept turning without interruption.
What she ultimately recognized was that her fears were less about the workload and more about herself. She had grown accustomed to feeling indispensable and valued that sense of being the person everyone relied on. Stepping away, she believed, might leave her without that daily affirmation. But with time, she realized that others could take over responsibilities she once viewed as uniquely her own, and the firm would continue to function just fine.
Even though her hours have decreased, Cohodes still finds deep fulfillment in practicing law and representing clients. At the same time, she has discovered meaningful opportunities for satisfaction beyond the office — something she wishes she had pursued earlier in her career. She encourages younger attorneys to build strong professional foundations first but also to recognize that balance can come sooner than many realize.
Reflecting on her earlier years, she recalls juggling her legal career with parenting, often working late into the night after family duties were complete. Though she does not regret her dedication, she now sees that the work still would have been completed even if she had allowed herself more rest.
In her reduced schedule, Cohodes has embraced new activities, from knitting groups to volunteering as a reading tutor, and even beginning a regular exercise routine — each offering small but meaningful victories and a renewed sense of purpose. She now sees countless opportunities to feel engaged, capable, and fulfilled beyond her legal practice. Entering this next stage, she looks forward with optimism, eager to discover what other rewarding experiences await her.
