The elevator doors opened, and my stomach dropped. Just five years into practice... I was wondering if I’d made a huge mistake.

Why did I want this, again?

Flash forward thirteen years - I had everything I thought I wanted.

A profitable, multi-million dollar book of business. Great clients. Wonderful colleagues.

I was even the rare BigLaw partner who loved her law firm.

The catch?

I felt like I was watching someone else’s life play out in front of me.

Two moments. Same question:

Was it time to walk away?

Five years in, I was burning out and couldn’t tell if the problem was the law itself or my environment.

Which paralyzed me.

Until the night my husband said, “Heather, you have a choice.”

In that moment, I knew that switching firms (and maybe even practice areas) was the answer. Because staying meant risking becoming someone I didn’t want to be.

Years later, when the question came back, there was no dread.

Just disconnection.

I had survived breast cancer and come back stronger, building an even bigger law practice.

Yet I didn’t feel like me anymore.

After a bit of self-reflection, I realized that was because how I defined a top value (service) had changed. That is how I knew it was time to leave law behind.

“When is it time to change firms or practice areas vs. time to leave law altogether? How did you know, Heather?”

I get asked this a lot.

Here’s what I’ve learned from both turning points:

1. Start with your values.

They’re your compass. If something feels “off,” get clear on what matters to you now, not what used to.

2. Permit yourself to experiment.

The first time, I made a lateral move to test what I needed. The second time, I tried coaching on the side before committing.

You don’t have to blow up your career to figure it out. Just take the next right step.

Want to know more about how to answer the question above, Friend?

Listen to this week’s Life & Law Podcast, where I dive into the signs that it might be time to make a change and how to determine your next step.

XO,

Heather