At least once a week, the media reports on some scandalous event concerning a lawyer. The latest was a doozy: the story ended with a prominent partner strapped to her seat to ensure the safety of others while the plane turned back. If it’s not that type of coverage, then it’s something about firm failures, the lack of legal jobs, law school rankings, and partners jumping firms. While the mid-flight meltdown is an extreme case, it does beg the question: Are lawyers happy in their careers?
I am well positioned to talk about a legal career. About ten years ago, I was a director of finance at one of Canada’s largest law firms, and in 2008, I returned to law school in Phoenix. Going in, I thought I would use my business background to practice as a white-collar prosecutor and ultimately, a defense attorney. Instead, based on my experience in an entrepreneur law clinic, I decided instead to build software to help business owners and later, attorneys. I inadvertently pursued the non-traditional path with my JD. Part of the choice was the downturn in the market, but the other part stemmed from the sad stories I heard about peoples’ pursuit of the traditional law route.

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