What is a second act for lawyers after leaving Big Law?

For many lawyers who followed a traditional track from undergrad to law school to a career in Big Law, shifting gears mid-career can come with big questions. Think of this shift as a second act for lawyers.

Why lawyers leave big law

For many lawyers, the traditional career track offered by large firms heads straight to burnout and dissatisfaction.

As Lawfuel notes:

“More Big Law associates and partners are choosing to leave than ever before—citing burnout, lack of advancement and remote-era disconnection sparking a seismic exodus toward in-house, startups and boutique law career paths.

The Big Law conveyor belt, once seen as the golden escalator to prestige and partnership, is creaking under the weight of its own expectations.” 

BigHand echoes this finding with research showing a surprising number of associates at all levels leaving law firms. Its finding show that “the number of associates (junior and senior) leaving the legal profession has increased significantly in the last 12 months, from 9% in 2024 to over 16% in 2025.”

That research also revealed an interesting factor, in addition to the burnout and overwork usually cited: Mis-allocated workloads. In other words, law associates reported a lack of interesting work or opportunities for growth as a main reason for leaving big law.

Recovering from big law

If you landed on this post, chances are you are among the many lawyers disillusioned with big law and the opportunities and/or lifestyle it failed to offer. If so, we recommend that you begin with a bit of reset before diving into your next career adventure.

A career reset after big law looks like:

  • Taking a break. Go on vacation. Take a month or more to recharge at home. Even a week or two can help you let go of the stress and burdens felt in your big law experience.
  • Focusing on your mindset. After that break, your mind and body move out of reaction mode and into planning mode. Take time to nurture a healthy growth mindset.
  • Making a decision. Once you have cultivated a growth mindset, you can begin to make decisions based on passion, interest and clarity rather than fear, exhaustion and burnout.

As you navigate this intentional transition, be sure to reach out to people who support your growth mindset and will cheer your efforts to build something new and better for yourself.

Creating your second act as an independent lawyer

After your reset, you can begin to build that something new.

This part looks different for each person; however, some common themes emerge for seasoned professionals making a change:

  • A need to align career with personal values
  • Desire for more autonomy and flexibility
  • Ability to create something new that has a meaningful impact
  • Belief that work and personal life can operate in a healthier balance

Do these themes resonate for you? If yes, then launching an independent law practice or small law firm might offer you a path toward writing your second act. Rather than an ending to be mourned, leaving big law can become the launchpad to something more meaningful and impactful.

You are not alone

We have worked with independent lawyers and small law firms in our shared office communities for more than a decade. In that time, we have seen some brilliant and talented lawyers leave the big law track in search of creating something better. Watching their success has proved to us that lawyers with big ideas and strong values can truly change the legal industry and the world.

Importantly, going independent doesn’t have to mean going it alone. As you reinvent yourself and your career, surround yourself with people who give you energy and support your goals.

Choosing a coworking space or shared office offers one way to connect authentically with other professionals who believe in creating their own success.

LawBank offers two shared office communities for small law firms and independent lawyers in Denver. Schedule a tour today.