Guidance

Hi all, I graduated in 2020 and have been practicing law for about four years.

I started in government doing personal injury litigation. I quickly became overwhelmed and burned out. I was not making great money, had no real social support, and felt isolated at work, including being excluded from social events. I kept asking myself why I was working so hard for so little in return.

I left and joined a large insurance defense firm, but the firm essentially collapsed during my first week. A partner was starting a new firm and most associates were leaving with them. I did not want to stay and help rebuild, so I moved on.

About two months later, I accepted a government regulatory role, but the start date was delayed, which created a roughly 10 to 11 month gap on my resume. I stayed in that position for six months but did not like the environment and was dealing with personal issues that made it unsustainable.

After that, I tried starting my own law firm in areas that interested me, but it did not work out. I had no business coming in and no mentorship or guidance, so I eventually closed it.

I am now six months into a job at a small firm, and I am miserable. I hate the work, I am the only associate, and I feel underpaid and unappreciated. I know I need to get out of litigation, but I am so burned out that it is hard to find the energy to job search, apply, or interview (especially during work hours).

I have been considering a career coach or a reverse recruiter, but I am unsure if they are worth the cost. I am also looking at JD Preferred roles and sites like JDPreferred, but I do not know where to focus.

I live by NYC. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.