Young attorneys frequently seek guidance from mentors when they begin questioning whether they should leave their current law firm. These conversations often arise when lawyers feel dissatisfied, stagnant, or curious about alternatives such as moving to another firm, transitioning to an in-house counsel role, or leaving the legal profession entirely. Contrary to what many expect, mentors cannot make that decision for them. Instead, the right answer typically emerges through thoughtful discussion, self-reflection, and structured evaluation.
For lawyers who feel unhappy or stuck in their current roles, a deliberate process of reflection can help clarify whether leaving a law firm is the right move.
Understanding the Real Reasons for Wanting a Change
One of the most common issues young lawyers face is not fully understanding why they want to leave their firm. Without clarity, it’s easy to jump from one role to another only to discover that the new position is just as frustrating—or worse. Identifying the root causes of dissatisfaction is essential before making any career move.
Key questions to explore include whether dissatisfaction stems from specific partners, practice groups, workloads, compensation, firm culture, lack of mentorship, limited advancement opportunities, or poor work-life balance. Lawyers should also assess whether they receive meaningful work, client exposure, and realistic partnership prospects. Once these factors are clearly identified, it becomes easier to determine whether improvements are possible internally or whether a change of environment is necessary. This clarity also serves as a valuable benchmark when evaluating new job opportunities.
Periodically Evaluating Job Satisfaction
Career advisors often recommend that lawyers create a “pros and cons” list for their current role every few years—even when things seem to be going well. This type of self-assessment acts as a personal career check-in, helping attorneys evaluate growth, fulfillment, and long-term potential. It can reveal whether staying put, advocating for change, or exploring new opportunities makes the most sense.
Assessing Legal Skills and Strengths
Another critical step in career decision-making is an honest evaluation of personal skills and strengths. Lawyers benefit from identifying what they do exceptionally well, what they do adequately, and where they struggle. A practical method is to categorize skills into three tiers—strong, moderate, and weak—and then seek roles that emphasize strengths rather than weaknesses. This exercise is especially valuable for attorneys considering in-house roles or nontraditional legal careers.
Clarifying Career Goals and Preferences
Surprisingly, many lawyers struggle to answer simple questions about what they enjoy doing. Career satisfaction does not require loving every aspect of the job, but consistently doing work one dislikes can be draining. By categorizing job tasks into “enjoy,” “neutral,” and “dislike,” attorneys can better target roles that align with their preferences and reduce burnout.
Moving Forward with Intention
While self-reflection is crucial, perfection should not be the goal. Early career moves do not need to be permanent. Lawyers should focus on learning, growing, and making intentional decisions. If a new role proves unsatisfying, it is possible to pivot again. Thoughtful planning, rather than fear of change, is the key to building a sustainable and fulfilling legal career.
