You Don't Have to Quit Your Job to Start Leaving Law

Lawyers thinking about leaving often get stuck on a question that feels practical but actually keeps them waiting longer than they need to. Do I need to quit my job before I start figuring out what I want to do instead? It sounds responsible, but for most people, it's part of what keeps them in a holding pattern.Sarah Cottrell frequently gets this question from lawyers considering The Former Lawyer Collaborative, and her answer might change how you think about the timing of your next move. She explains why the assumption that you need to be "ready" before you start often works against you, and what she's seen actually happen when people stop waiting.In this episode of The Former Lawyer Podcast, Sarah talks about why she built The Collab to fit inside the life of a working lawyer, what the time commitment really looks like, and why the lawyers who start before they feel ready often surprise themselves.0:28 - The practical question lawyers keep asking before joining The Collab0:53 - What The Former Lawyer Collaborative actually is and how it works1:38 - Do you need to quit your job before starting this process2:25 - How people find The Collab and when they typically join2:57 - Why less pressure to leave can actually mean faster progress3:29 - The time commitment question and what "a couple hours a week" really gets you5:15 - Other reasons you might quit, and why most people in The Collab don't6:23 - Why The Collab was designed to fit inside a lawyer's life7:06 - How to join and where to find more infoMentioned In You Don't Have to Quit Your Job to Start Leaving LawFive Years of Helping Lawyers Leave the Law inside The Former Lawyer CollaborativeFirst Steps to Leaving the LawThe Former Lawyer CollaborativeI'm closing enrollment for my self-paced group program, the Former Lawyer Collaborative, permanently on August 31st, 2026. If you've been thinking about joining now is the time. Head to formerlawyer.com/collab to join before doors close on August 31st.