I can’t even tell you how many times I Googled “alternative careers for lawyers” while I was working in Biglaw. It was . . . a lot. I hated being a lawyer. Since you’re here, I’m guessing that’s you as well. You realize that you want to leave legal practice, and you’re trying to figure out the best alternative careers…
In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah is joined by Laura Markham, a member of the Collab and Collab Plus. Laura’s story is one of resilience, reevaluation, and ultimately, reimagining what a sustainable, values-aligned career looks like after unimaginable loss. Laura shares how the sudden death of her husband in 2023 forced a complete reassessment—not just of her…
If 2025 has already felt like a lot, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell offers a short but important reminder, if you’re just getting by right now, that’s okay. Based in the U.S., Sarah shares that the start of the year has been heavy. Between the news and the general state of things,…
Have you ever found yourself wondering if being a lawyer is still the right path for you, but felt guilty or afraid to admit it? In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell tackles a topic that might sound obvious but is surprisingly difficult for many lawyers to accept: you’re allowed to change your mind. For people outside…
If you feel like all you do is complain about your job, you’re not alone. Many lawyers reach a point where they’re exhausted, not just by their work, but by how much they talk about how miserable it makes them. In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell addresses what happens when you reach that breaking point. She…
On today’s podcast, Sarah is chatting with a familiar guest who has been on the podcast several times. It’s her husband, Ed Cottrell. They met in law school and graduated at the same time. Ed’s path took a different route than Sarah’s, and he now works in the tech field after leaving law. Today’s conversation explores the common interest of…
Many lawyers contemplating leaving the profession assume the process is complicated. The reality? Leaving the law is simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah Cottrell breaks down the difference between something being simple but difficult versus complicated but easy, and how this applies to leaving the law. The truth is, figuring…
