Do you hate working as a lawyer? Are you an unhappy lawyer who wants to leave the law, but isn’t sure what to do next? Do your family and friends think you’re crazy for wanting to leave the law, or are you too afraid to tell them you don’t want to be a lawyer? The Former Lawyer Podcast is for you! Each week, host Sarah Cottrell interviews a different former lawyer who has left the law behind. Hear inspiring stories about how these former lawyers are thriving and found their way to careers and lives they love.
IFive years ago, Sarah Cottrell launched The Former Lawyer Collab to help lawyers who knew they wanted out of practicing law but had no idea what to do next. Since then, the program has grown tremendously, supporting over 350 lawyers in their journey toward a more fulfilling career and life. Five Years of The Former Lawyer Collab Sarah launched The…
In this episode, Sarah sits down with returning guest Annie Little, a lawyer-turned-career coach and now a certified ADHD coach. They explore how executive function works in the ADHD brain—particularly for lawyers—and why so many high-achieving professionals struggle silently with things like time, organization, and burnout without realizing what’s really going on. Annie shares insights from her coaching work through…
There’s a dangerous narrative gaining traction, that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are to blame for what’s broken in Biglaw. For anyone who’s actually worked in that environment, the idea that there’s too much DEI is not just inaccurate, it’s laughable. Yes, Biglaw has problems. But DEI isn’t one of them. Biglaw’s Problems Run Deep, and They’re Not New…
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…
