Attrition has become common in the legal industry in recent years, especially among lawyers aged 40 and under. The International Bar Association (IBA) reported that 54% of young lawyers plan to leave their jobs by 2027. Of this 54%, 33% say they’re considering alternative legal careers.

This could be for many reasons, from work-life balance and job satisfaction to individual career aspirations. If you’re in this category, you might be struggling with one common challenge: identifying your next best career move.

Thanks to technology and the rapidly expanding legal industry, lawyers now have opportunities to apply their skills in other related professions. This allows them to leave active law practice without completely detaching from the industry.

In this guide, we've detailed 20 alternative jobs for attorneys, along with transferrable legal skills you'll need to thrive in them.

Why lawyers quit

There are several reasons why many lawyers decide to pull the plug on what seems like a dream career. We discuss some of them below:

#1 Burnout and stress

“Our profession is plagued with mental illness, stress, and even substance abuse. A way to mitigate those circumstances is knowing yourself, your values, what you care about, what's not going to mesh with you, understanding the business landscape, and figuring out a way to marry all these elements.”
~ Akshay Verma, COO, SpotDraft
Shaping a Purpose-Driven Career in Law

The legal profession is unpopular for its demanding nature. Long hours, high-stakes cases, and the constant pressure to meet law firm and client expectations can strain even the most dedicated lawyers.

62% of legal professionals say they’ve experienced a degree of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion from their jobs in the last 12 months.

#2 Near-absence of work-life balance

The demanding nature of legal work often leaves little room for personal life. Many lawyers work over 50 hours a week, making it challenging to balance their professional commitments with their family and social life. 

This can result in feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment, ultimately prompting lawyers to seek alternative careers that offer more flexibility and control over their time.

#3 Ethical dilemmas or moral distress

 “There are many successful professionals (physicians, engineers, dentists, lawyers) who toil only for the dollar while losing their soul, and their self-respect, little by little.”
~  Lyle Sussman, Author of Your Total Wealth: The Heart and Soul of Financial Literacy

Lawyers, especially those in insurance defense, corporate, or criminal defense law firms, often face complex ethical challenges.

Oftentimes, they’re required to represent clients or pursue cases that conflict with their personal beliefs or moral values. 

This can lead to moral distress (a psychological state characterized by feelings of guilt, anxiety, and frustration arising from being unable to act in accordance with one's moral compass).

This is the case with Hal, as told by H. Dennis Beaver. Hal hated working in an insurance defense firm because he was required to fight insurance claims in a bid to accumulate more billable hours for his law firm. Though he wanted to quit, he couldn’t because he had “a mountain of bills” to pay.

Situations like this can take a toll on lawyers, making them hate their jobs even more.

#4 Personal career aspirations

While a legal career initially holds immense appeal for its prestige, intellectual challenge, and potential for positive impact, many lawyers come to realize that their interests or passions lie elsewhere.

Sometimes, the day-to-day realities of active law practice don't align with their original expectations, increasingly making the desire to pursue a different career path stronger than their commitment to the legal profession.

Before you pull the plug: What to do when you don’t want to be a lawyer anymore

Transitioning away from active law practice is a major decision that requires a lot of thought. Before you make such a bold leap, there are a few crucial things to take into consideration:

• Reflect on your "why": Be clear about your reasons for leaving active practice. Is it burnout, a desire for more work-life balance, or an interest in exploring other areas of the legal field? Afterward, reflect on the positive things you enjoy about law and legal practice in general. Balancing both perspectives will help you decide if you need a complete career change or a switch within the legal industry.
• Assess your transferable skills: Identify the skills you've acquired as a lawyer that can be applied to other roles, such as research, negotiation, and problem-solving. Knowing these will help you switch to areas that align with your key strengths and interests.
• Research alternative careers: In the next section, we’ll be covering several alternative careers you can explore. Some options include roles in compliance, human resources, consulting, or creative fields like writing or entrepreneurship.
• Network and explore: Reach out to colleagues and mentors who have made similar transitions and inquire about their experience. Try to learn from their challenges and how they navigated the uncertainties associated with making a career change.
• Financial planning: Ensure you have a financial cushion to support yourself during the transition period, especially if you are starting a new business or taking a lower-paying role.

Listen: What You Wish You Had Known at the Start of Your Career

20 alternative jobs for lawyers

The good news is you can quit active law practice without completely losing touch with the legal industry. There are several alternative legal career options you can switch to, your ultimate choice will depend on your interests, skills, and career goals.

“Fast-growing companies have a ton of areas where they need value addition. Legal teams are often kind of a sneaky secret weapon, where you've got folks who are strategists, great communicators, and good operationally. They can plug in in a lot of areas.”
~ Megan Niedermeyer, Chief Legal Officer, Apollo.io
Aligning Legal's Limitless Potential to Business Goals

#1 In-house counsel

In-house counsel positions offer lawyers the opportunity to work directly within an organization, providing guidance on matters like contract negotiations, policy development, risk assessment, intellectual property, outside counsel management, and more.

Your success in this role will depend on your ability to navigate complex legal scenarios, communicate effectively with non-legal stakeholders, and connect legal strategies with the company’s overall business goals.

Also read: Transitioning from Law Firms to In-House Legal Teams

#2 Legal operations

“The engine room of the legal function is legal operations. It adds value to the function by dealing with so many parts of in-house lawyers in a scalable manner.”
~ David Lancelot, ex-VP Global Head of Legal, eBay Classifieds
Embracing Legal’s Role as Business Co-Leaders

Legal operations (or legal ops) is a rapidly growing field, as indicated by 94% of Wakefield Research’s respondents. This makes it one of the best alternative jobs for lawyers.

As a legal ops professional, your role is to improve the productivity of legal departments by optimizing workflows, implementing technology solutions, managing budgets, and analyzing data to support decision-making.

Having a deep understanding of legal processes, project management, and analytical skills will be crucial to your success in this role.

Also read: What Is Legal Operations?

#3 Legal consultant

"Consultants are NOT the generalists that I thought they were when I was a practicing attorney. The expectations for a consultant's knowledge about any given topic is exceedingly high. Most consultants I know are constantly reading & learning. To be successful at this job, you need to be able to see the big picture, the little picture and all of the pieces in between."
~ Angela Saverice-Rohan CIPP, JD

Legal consultants offer specialized legal advice to businesses, individuals, or law firms, often on a project basis. This role enables you to provide value with your legal expertise without the long-term commitment of traditional legal positions.

As a legal consultant, you may work on compliance reviews, policy development, or risk management strategies. Your success hinges on your ability to quickly understand client needs, provide actionable insights, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.

#4 Mediator or arbitrator

Mediators and arbitrators help parties resolve disputes outside of the traditional court system. This alternative career path is ideal for lawyers with strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills seeking a less adversarial role.

As a mediator or arbitrator, you'll facilitate communication and negotiation between parties, guide them toward mutually agreeable solutions, and, in the case of arbitration, render binding decisions to resolve disputes.

#5 Contract manager

Contract managers are tasked with overseeing the entire lifecycle of contracts, from drafting and negotiation to execution and renewal. Your legal background will be useful in this role as you ensure that contracts are legally sound, meet the organization's needs, and mitigate risks.

Your duties may also include managing contract databases, reviewing legal agreements, monitoring compliance, and resolving contract disputes. Strong attention to detail, negotiation skills, and an understanding of contract law are essential for success in this career path.

Also read: Top 10 Contract Management Skills to Master

#6 Legal writer and editor

Legal writers and editors create, review, and refine legal content for various audiences, including legal professionals, businesses, and the general public. This role requires solid writing skills and the ability to interpret legal concepts in clear, accessible language.

As a legal writer or editor, you might work on drafting legal documents, creating educational content, or editing legal publications. This is a promising career for former lawyers who have a passion for writing and a desire to educate others through their work.

#7 Legal recruiter

Legal recruiters specialize in matching legal professionals with job openings in law firms, corporate legal departments, or other organizations. This role leverages your legal background to assess the qualifications and fit of candidates for specific legal roles.

As a legal recruiter, you will work closely with candidates and employers to understand their needs, facilitate interviews, and guide the hiring process. This position is ideal for lawyers who enjoy networking and are skilled at identifying top legal talent.

#8 Policy analyst

Policy analysts research, develop, and evaluate policies that impact legal, governmental, or social systems. This role involves analyzing legislation, regulations, and other policies to determine their effects and suggest improvements.

As a policy analyst, you might work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profits, providing insights that shape public policy. This career is a good fit if you are passionate about public affairs and want to influence policy decisions through research and analysis.

#9 Compliance officer

Compliance officers ensure that organizations operate within the bounds of relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. This role demands a meticulous understanding of legal requirements and the ability to identify potential risks. 

You will be developing compliance programs, conducting audits, and investigating breaches. Your legal background equips you to interpret regulations, provide guidance, and ensure the company remains compliant.

#10 Corporate trainer

Corporate trainers with a legal background educate employees on legal and compliance matters, helping them understand and adhere to company policies and regulations. This requires reliable communication skills and the ability to simplify complex legal concepts for a non-legal audience.

As a corporate trainer, you might develop training programs, conduct workshops, and assess the effectiveness of training initiatives. This might be a perfect career for ex-lawyers who enjoy teaching and want to contribute to organizational growth by enhancing legal awareness among employees.

#11 Legal tech entrepreneur

Legal tech entrepreneurs identify opportunities to create innovative technological solutions for the legal industry. If you are tech-savvy and have a knack for problem-solving, you could develop software applications, platforms, or tools to streamline legal processes, improve efficiency, and enhance client communication.

This alternative legal career path is excellent for entrepreneurial lawyers who want to play in the legal tech industry. Also, you do not need to know how to code. You can either partner with a developer or contract a software development agency to bring your ideas to life.

Also read: Future Trends in Legal Tech Every In-house Counsel Must Know

#12 Paralegal manager

Paralegal managers oversee a team of paralegals, ensuring their work is efficient, accurate, and aligned with legal requirements. You would delegate tasks, provide guidance, and manage performance reviews. 

Your deep legal knowledge combined with leadership and organizational skills will make you well-suited to supervise and mentor paralegals, ensuring they contribute effectively to the legal team.

Also read: Will AI Replace Paralegals?

#13 Legal marketing specialist

Legal marketing specialists develop and implement marketing strategies for law firms or legal services companies. This role involves branding, client acquisition, and promoting legal services through various channels, including digital marketing, events, and content creation.

As a legal marketing specialist, you will use your legal knowledge to craft targeted marketing messages that resonate with the pain points of potential clients and differentiate the firm in a competitive market. This career path is perfect for lawyers with a creative flair and an interest in business development.

#14 Regulatory affairs specialist

Regulatory affairs specialists work in heavily regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and finance, to ensure their companies adhere to applicable laws and regulations.

In this role, you will be responsible for preparing and submitting regulatory documents, staying up-to-date with regulatory changes, and communicating with regulatory agencies.

#15 Lobbyist

Lobbyists advocate for specific legislation, policies, or regulations on behalf of organizations or interest groups. As a lobbyist, you will use your legal expertise to influence lawmakers and regulators by presenting legal arguments, drafting policy proposals, and building relationships with key stakeholders.

This alternative legal career route is well-suited for lawyers with a passion for public policy, strong persuasive skills, and an interest in shaping legislation and public policy.

#16 Anti-money Laundering (AML) Officer

AML officers play an important role in preventing financial crimes. They ensure that financial institutions and other companies adhere to regulations designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. 

As an AML officer, You'll develop and implement AML policies, monitor transactions for suspicious activity, and conduct investigations when necessary. Your legal background and attention to detail will be critical in identifying potential risks and safeguarding the company's reputation.

#17 Law school professor or lecturer

Law school professors or lecturers teach law students, helping them understand legal principles, case law, and the practical applications of legal theory. As a law professor, you may also conduct legal research, publish scholarly articles, and contribute to the development of legal education.

This can be a second career for lawyers with a deep understanding of the law, a zeal for teaching, and a desire to shape the next generation of legal professionals.

#18 Intellectual Property (IP) analyst

Intellectual Property (IP) analysts specialize in protecting and managing the intellectual property assets of a company or organization. This includes trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. In this role, you will conduct IP research, analyze IP portfolios, and advise on IP strategy.

If you have experience in intellectual property law, niching down to a role as an IP analyst might be the way to go.

Also read: AI and Intellectual Property: Your Guide to Safe Innovation

#19 Data privacy officer

Data privacy officers ensure that organizations collect, store, and process personal data in compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations. As a data privacy officer, you will develop and implement privacy policies, conduct data protection impact assessments, and respond to data breaches.

Your legal background will be essential in interpreting privacy regulations, advising on data protection best practices, and ensuring that your organization handles data responsibly.

Also read: Protecting Personal Data under GDPR

#20 Legal librarian

Legal librarians manage legal research resources, organize information, and assist legal professionals in finding relevant materials. This role is crucial in law firms, academic institutions, and government agencies.

As a Legal librarian, you will maintain legal databases, provide research support, and manage collections of legal texts. Your legal knowledge enhances your ability to curate and organize complex legal information, making it accessible to other legal professionals.

Before you go

Being a lawyer is a dream for many. But if it’s becoming less fulfilling and taking a toll on your general well-being, trying a different legal career option might be a good move.

Thankfully, there are several other legal professions you can pivot into. So you never have to worry about getting disconnected from the industry.

Want to learn about legal careers from the best industry leaders? Click here to check out our interviews on Counsel Corner.