Anyone just quit without a backup? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've been practicing lit, mostly municipality and insurance defense, for over two years following a federal district clerkship. I've learned that I really have no interest in doing this much longer. It's making me hate my life. My boss is nice, but demanding. And I just don't want to be a trial attorney, which is what I'm being trained to do. I hate taking depos and honestly never want to be involved in a trial. A lot of people in my field supposedly live for that kind of shit but it sounds like hell to me. I'm almost 30. I have some debt, but my parents help me out a lot and I'm not worried about it to be honest.

I'm considering giving notice in like a month or so. I just hate my life because it's so tied to my job. I'm passionate about health and fitness, so I would like to do something in that space. But it's hard to know what that would entail besides becoming a personal trainer (I am getting my cert though). Anyone else feel the same? Anyone else just quit without a lucrative backup? I mean, I'm to the point where working at a supplement store and doing PT stuff on the side sounds way more appealing even though I would be taking a massive pay hit. I'm also single with no one else to support; maybe that's why it's more palatable...

There is one aspect of law I like: research and writing. Loved clerking. I'm applying for more clerkships but I also don't really want to move 1000 miles from home to do one again. I wouldn't mind an appellate practice, but that's unrealistic I think. So I'm not holding out for anything like that.

Who on here has, or knows someone, that just quit without a back up?

[Anonymous User]

I quit a state government job that was super toxic without a backup plan.

I think it depends sometimes on where you're at psychologically. I knew I was going to quit for a while, and started applying for jobs in government about one year ago. It helped a lot going to work knowing that I was applying to other opportunities - even just knowing that helps to get through the day. Depending on where you're at psychologically, but if you're boss is nice, maybe you could just use the next few months to actively apply on the weekends. For instance, there are postings on USCOURTS for Legal Research and Writing positions within the Federal Public Defender Agencies. No trial (you can't appear in Court) but you'd be able to deeply research and write on interesting issues.

However, if you are just so miserable and need out, then I'd say just quit. You can always say you had a family issue come up in future interviews if there is a gap in resume. You only live once.

Keep us posted, okay?

[Anonymous User]

If you plan to leave the law and don't need to worry about money, then there's little risk. I've never heard of anyone doing this, other than that person who left their biglaw firm and started a blog trashing it.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the responses. I'm not sure if I want to leave law totally. It's appealing at times, but sometimes I think it's more the nature of private firm litigation. I would be very happy, I think, as a clerk or purely research and writing attorney.

To the extent I want to pursue more appellate style practice, short of securing a clerkship from a federal appellate judge, is there a way I can be paid to handle appeals for the indigent?

And as far as no one else doing it, I understand that but I'm still tempted everyday. You only live once and I'm considering quitting while still actively looking for something else. I might start personal training and wait and see if anything appealing in the legal field comes open.

[Anonymous User]

OP, some federal judges hire permanent clerks, and you seem like you could be a good fit for that. Pay is not bad either (you're probably going to be JS-13 or JS-14, which can be north of 100k).

[Anonymous User]

I know someone who quit without a backup and she was a first year. She was working too much and it was not sustainable. I think she ultimately took a part-time job doing something in the public sector.