Burned out, stuck, or craving autonomy? Discover 6 signs it’s time to leave BigLaw—and how to take the next step without starting over.
Burned out, stuck, or craving autonomy? Discover 6 signs it’s time to leave BigLaw—and how to take the next step without starting over.
There’s a moment many attorneys in BigLaw experience—somewhere between your third Zoom meeting of the day and another weekend swallowed by redlines—when the thought hits: This can’t be all there is.
You’ve made it. You’ve earned your seat at the table. You’ve billed the hours, landed the clients, and delivered results. But the tradeoffs—long hours, rigid hierarchies, return-to-office mandates—are starting to wear thin. You’re craving more flexibility, more autonomy, and a more humane way to practice law.
If this resonates, you’re not alone. Thousands of high-performing attorneys are rethinking what success looks like—and what it’s costing them.
Here are six clear signs it might be time to leave BigLaw—and how to make a move without starting over.
BigLaw was built on overwork. Burnout isn’t the exception—it’s embedded in the model. At first, it’s easy to dismiss: fatigue, irritability, or detachment. But when the grind becomes constant, your body and mind start signaling it’s no longer sustainable.
You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to practice law at the highest level. There are modern firm models that prioritize both performance and sustainability.
You’re senior enough to lead—but your time, priorities, and advancement are still controlled by the firm. The path forward is dictated by internal politics, partnership dynamics, or origination metrics that feel out of reach.
When you’re ready to own your time, choose your clients, and define your success, it’s time to ask: Are you still becoming the kind of lawyer you set out to be?
Leaving BigLaw doesn’t have to mean going solo or starting from scratch. Your network, your book, your reputation—they come with you. What changes is the structure around them.
Modern firms offer the support and infrastructure of a traditional firm, but with autonomy and freedom baked in. You don’t have to choose between security and independence—you can have both.
Years of high-pressure, zero-sum culture take a toll. What many attorneys want most is a community built on mutual respect, shared values, and professional trust—not just shared office space.
Remote platforms aren’t isolating. In fact, they often foster deeper connection—free from internal competition and political jockeying. If you’re ready for a team that values collaboration over proximity, that culture already exists.
BigLaw was never built for balance. Even “flexible” firms reward overperformance and sacrifice. But the truth is: work-life balance is not the enemy of success—it’s a prerequisite for it.
You can build a thriving career and be present in your life. Attorneys at modern firms are designing their schedules, pursuing meaningful work, and showing up fully for their families, their health, and themselves.
If you’re Googling “leaving BigLaw” or lurking on career-change Reddit threads, pay attention. That voice in the back of your head? It’s your signal. And it deserves a response.
You’re not giving up on your career—you’re redefining it. Thousands of attorneys are leaving BigLaw not because they’re done, but because they’re just getting started—on their terms.
If any of those resonate, you don’t have to wait until things get worse. You can choose something better now.
Leaving BigLaw isn’t a step back—it’s a step forward. If you’re ready to reclaim ownership, balance, and autonomy—without compromising on the quality of your practice—firms like Scale LLP are built for that.
We’re a national, fully remote, modern law firm where attorneys lead their own practices, collaborate with elite peers, and build careers around their lives—not the other way around.
We’re AmLaw50 talent with modern delivery.
You became a lawyer to make an impact. Let’s help you get back to that.
Download our free guide: The BigLaw Exit Guide: How to Leave a Top Firm With Confidence.
