It doesn’t take much to be an unhappy lawyer. Studies show that more than half of lawyers are frustrated. Let’s just name a few things wrong with our legal profession, shall we? Constant stress, insane hours, complaining clients, lack of meaningful work, and the list goes on. Depending on the particular law firm, you may also have to deal with office politics, difficult partners and competitive colleagues looking out for themselves.
Don’t Make Any Changes
We’ve all been there. If you haven’t yet, just give it some time. The question is not if you will experience these difficulties, but when will they happen to you. And when they inevitably occur, what can you do about it?
For some, the necessary changes are internal, meaning that an attitude adjustment may be sufficient. For others, the difficulties are more than simply internal. If you’re facing serious external pressures, you have to do some soul searching and ask yourself some difficult questions.
Assume All Firms Are the Same
Let’s not make the mistake of attributing the peculiarly horrible things of your firm to the entire legal profession. As a lawyer, you know how to distinguish A from B. You do it all the time in your legal work, so apply that same discipline in analyzing what is specifically terrible about your workplace.
Let Fear of the Unknown Prevent You From Exploring Options
Lawyers generally dislike change. We’re dinosaurs. Just look at how long it takes to overturn precedent, if ever.
Even when we sense that something better is out there, fear of the unknown is a powerful force to keep us from exploring. We don’t want to venture outside our miserable little bubble.
It can take something cataclysmic or catastrophic to force us to beyond what is known and predictable. Do you really want to wait for something to knock you off your feet in order to take a step outside?
Don’t Gain a Sense of Ownership
One business principle has stood the test of time. If you want a worker to be more motivated, more client-centric, and just generally more happy, you have to give them a sense of ownership. As lawyers, that sense of ownership comes from having our own clients.
There’s nothing wrong with being a grinder. Some attorneys truly enjoy the legal work, and have plenty of it because they’re very good in a particular niche. Even if you’re a freelancer or independent contractor, I would argue that you still have “clients” who give you a sense of ownership. It’s just that the “client” might be more of the source of work (i.e., another lawyer) than the legal client.
Don’t Develop Your Own Clients
A decent book of business will give you options. You can switch firms or even start your own practice. You will be beholden to no one. Having your own clients will give you a freedom of mobility that you won’t have by simply being good at what you do.
The legal industry is hyper competitive. You already know that. The reality is that there are a lot of lawyers who can do what you do, and many of them can probably do it better than you. If you don’t want to stay an unhappy lawyer, give yourself options by developing clients.
Deal With Difficult People Daily
I have a ton of respect for certain litigators who get results through skill. You need a thick skin to litigate without getting bothered by opposing counsel. In my opinion, litigators find themselves in a high-stress environment where they have to deal with negative people on a daily basis. That constant negativity takes a toll on you. Furthermore, the occasional ungrateful client makes a bad situation worse when they refuse to pay your bills or follow your counsel.
Years ago, I decided to avoid certain types of litigation matters. It was the right decision for my family life and mental health, and I have no regrets. In order to make that decision, however, I needed other work to fill the pipeline. Doing my own attorney marketing led to a sustainable flow of clients over the long term.
I’m not suggesting that you have to stop litigating if that’s what you do. But if you want to do something else, you need to have clients that will bring in non-adversarial matters.
If You’re An Unhappy Lawyer, What Can You Do About It?
If nothing else, I hope you’ve gained a sense that something better is attainable. So what if you don’t reach your dream outcome right away? If you can take certain steps that will significantly improve your quality of life, and possibly your health, should you not at least explore those options?
As a practicing IP attorney, I enjoy showing others how to do their own marketing to get clients organically,