Driving into my office’s parking garage, I could feel the hot tears welling up in my eyes. After 18 months, it was painfully clear that my Big Law firm and I were not a good match. For months prior, I dreaded walking into the office, and the tears I felt that day were not uncommon. I did not realize it then, but it would be only a few weeks until I handed in my letter of resignation. Shortly thereafter, I traveled to South Africa for a few months before beginning a two-year teaching fellowship in New Orleans. This career pivot came with a nearly $100,000 pay cut, required me to move more than 600 miles, and doubled my living expenses. While my mental health and general happiness improved, my financial situation was shaky. Creating a side hustle was the logical next step.
As a strategist for the past decade, I have learned two valuable lessons: lawyers are uniquely qualified to have side hustles; and you must find your “why” outside of money. These two keys have been essential to my growth.
Before leaving Big Law, my experience was primarily in intellectual property law. My diverse experiences and interests, however, allowed me to advise and consult on a wide range of legal and law-adjacent issues. When my client base grew, I created a formal business. Nine years later, I serve as an associate vice president at a large, public university, and I still maintain a side hustle. My focus has shifted from money to meaning. I help people start the businesses they have been dreaming about while working full-time. Much like me more than a decade ago, they want to find their purpose, create additional income streams, and positively impact the lives of others. Lawyers are overrepresented in my group of clients.
