Leverage For Lawyers

Posted by Elizabeth Zelinka

Further to my post yesterday about exit strategies out of Big Law, nearly all corporate lawyers agree on the need for such a strategy, but few understand how to create one.  These are smart people, and so it seems strange that this task proves so challenging.

Coming from that world myself, I think I have at least part of the answer.  It has much to do with the fact that every good exit strategy originates from within the lawyer, but Big Law lawyers are trained largely to focus on what is outside of themselves—cases, clients, deals, memos, partners—they solve the problems and meet the needs of others.  In that context, frankly, Big Law lawyers have little time, training or incentive to think much about their internal landscape.  In short, they are trained to analyze and satisfy the external, while the exercise of creating a solid exit strategy requires them to start with the internal.  No wonder most are confused about how to start.

So why do I believe that an exit strategy is all about what’s inside instead of about external factors like employers, positions, the job market and pay scales?  For one simple reason—an exit strategy is nothing more than a vision for your future.  And every visionary will confirm that a vision comes from inside of us—it cannot be bought, borrowed or stolen.  It is crafted from the best parts of our past.  It is motivated by an understanding of what is not working now.  It is formed by a picture of how our ideal life and career would look.  It is fueled by a sincere desire to become more.  

If you are still in search of an exit strategy, start with yourself and create a vision for your future, your life, your career.  Then let that vision lead you to the people, opportunities and resources to make it happen.

“To the person who does not know where he wants to go, there is no favorable wind.”

— Seneca

Elizabeth Zelinka is a Consultant and Career Strategist with Zelinka & Prince Search Partners.  She can be reached through her website at www.zpsearchpartners.com.

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