There's an elephant in the room in law and lawyers would rather leave than say it out loud…
For as long as I can remember, whether you actually believed it or not, you showed that nothing was more important than your career. Self-sacrifice was worn like a badge of honour.
You did it because that's what you were told you had to do to succeed.
Success in law meant a career that was exciting, respected, challenging and financially rewarding, in a way few other careers were.
Once you were in, you felt lucky, special, you had made it when so many others hadn't.
The longer you stayed, the truer this felt.
So, you continued to pour in your blood, sweat, and tears.
You worked harder, for longer, you joked about who had sacrificed the most.
Secretly you wondered if it was possible to keep this up, whether it was worth it. But you had invested too much, convinced yourself more was on the way, you refused to give in, show weakness or be the next to break.
But times are changing, many lawyers agree the 'survival of the fittest', 'success at all costs' culture is toxic.
Many Law Firms agree and are trying to move away from this. But are they doing enough?
Other industries can now compete with, and exceed, the rewards of law.
The result? Lawyers are starting to vote with their feet. Studies show a third of all legal sector workers say they want to leave the profession within the next five years.
Lawyers don't choose to leave lightly – take it from someone who has done just that! No one wants to leave something they have put so much of themselves into building.
Unfortunately, sometimes leaving feels like the best choice, I know it doesn't have to be this way.
I feel this so strongly that I left law so I could help other people stay.
And they want to stay!
Lawyers are coming to me directly, paying me for the support they need to thrive in their career.
Support in career development is key.
Many law firms have recognised this and do offer it, but it is rarely ADHD informed support.
This is important because generic career development strategies often don't work with ADHD brains and sometimes, they make things worse!
So, ADHD lawyers are coming to me and funding the support they need themselves.
The problem is self-funding isn't an option for everyone, and it shouldn't have to be.
We have started to call out the old culture of the legal profession as toxic, but what meaningful action is the profession taking to move away from it?
The elephant in the room is that for many, it is still there. Softened with awareness but lacking any real action.
You either put up with how it is or you leave.
Providing lawyers with the tools and support that they actually need to work at their best and focusing on outcome rather than process would be a good place to start.
Would love to hear other people's thoughts on this.
