The Legal Profession Can Be a Journey to Bigger and Better Opportunities
By Chere B. Estrin
It’s that time of year. You’ve received your raise and politely waited a month or so after collecting your bonus. You’ve appeared grateful and appreciative (all the while thinking, you’re giving me this after all the work I’ve done?). Now, you’ve started circling Indeed and LinkedIn, reached out to legal recruiters and are quietly scanning job listings. But this time, you’re asking yourself: Am I looking for the same thing again, or is it time for something different?
The legal profession is a rewarding career path, but….. let’s face it: for some, it has limits. You’re not likely to make partner unless you’re already on that trajectory. Moving up the career ladder as a legal professional is often difficult. And yes, there are salary caps for many roles. But what if you could zig and zag, leveraging your background into something new? You may have to leave the title “attorney” or “legal professional” behind—or maybe not. It depends on how you approach it.
Some call this move an “alternative career.” I call it leveraging your career. Where is it written that you must always hold the title of “attorney” or “legal professional”? Perhaps your current role is a steppingstone to new opportunities, not a destination with a stop sign.
When the Career You Signed Up for No Longer Fits
Are you feeling stuck, bored, or unfulfilled in your current role? Are you facing a crossroads where you must decide whether to stay or explore new paths? Perhaps your current position no longer allows you to use your skills fully—or maybe you’ve advanced to a level where the work no longer excites you.
Before making a leap, take time to distinguish the root cause of your dissatisfaction:
- Is it the job, or is it the career?
- If it’s the job, a new employer or practice area might solve the problem.
- If it’s the career, it may be time to explore alternative opportunities.
Determine whether it’s your current job that doesn’t agree with you or the career itself. Ask yourself:
The career:
- Do I enjoy the work I do?
- Am I interested in what goes on around me, or am I simply going through the motions?
- Is my job routine and repetitious? Will future jobs be routine and repetitious?
- Is there a career path upward or is it completely invisible?
- Do I even want to move up or am I tired doing the same old, same old.
- If I move to another position, will I encounter the same stress?
The job:
- Is my work environment supportive, or is it hostile or stressful?
- Just how many more New Year’s Eve am I willing to work?
- If the firm has asked you to RTO (return to the office), do I want to?
- How about leadership? Is it good or frankly, disappointing
- Am I adequately paid?
Sorting this out is crucial. If the issue lies with the job itself, you may not need a complete career overhaul. It’s important not to confuse unhappiness with your current job with unhappiness with the entire career. But if the career no longer resonates with you, an alternative path may be the right move.
Leveraging Your Background for an Alternative Career
Legal professionals have a wealth of transferable skills: research, writing, negotiation, organization, detail oriented, smart, and strategic thinking. By leveraging these skills, you can transition into roles that align with your interests and strengths—often without starting from scratch.
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make when pursuing alternative careers is expecting to land a job without relevant experience or training, assuming the company will provide all the necessary training. Stop right there! Before applying, take time to explore whether the new career is truly a good fit for you. Then, most importantly, start taking classes or earning certifications in your desired field and highlight those qualifications prominently on your resume.
It’s crucial to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the career you’re pursuing. For example, consider a litigation attorney aiming to transition into marketing. What aspects of your legal background establish credibility in marketing? If your experience is primarily in research, depositions, and trial work, your chances of landing a marketing role are slim without additional preparation. Enroll in marketing courses, join organizations like the Legal Marketing Association, and take proactive steps to build your expertise. This preparation sends a clear signal to potential employers: you’re serious, capable, and ready to make the leap.
However, employers often lack imagination when reviewing resumes. They may struggle to connect your experience with their needs unless you bridge the gap with additional training or certifications. A clear action plan, including education, networking, and a polished resume tailored to your target field, is key.
Alternative Careers Requiring a Legal Background
These roles capitalize on your specific legal expertise, making the most of your education and experience in the field.
- eDiscovery Specialist
- Roles: eDiscovery Manager, Case Manager, Project Manager
- Open to attorneys, paralegals and litigation support professionals
- Expertise: Litigation and platforms like Relativity
- Salaries: $60,000–$175,000+
- Litigation Support Analyst
- Focus: Technical side of litigation, eDiscovery tools, and complex technologies
- Salaries: Up to $185,000+
- Contract Manager
- Draft, analyze, and manage contracts across industries
- Salaries: $70,000–$150,000+
- Law Firm Administrator
- Oversee operations, HR, accounting, and compliance within a law firm
- Salaries: $75,000–$250,000+
- Compliance Officer
- Monitor and ensure organizational compliance with regulations
- Salaries: $100,000+
- Data Privacy Specialist
- Focus: GDPR, CCPA compliance, and cybersecurity
- Salaries: $75,000–$180,000+
- Mediator or Arbitrator
- Resolve disputes outside of court
- Salaries: $100,000+
- Trust and Estate Planner
- Specialize in wills, trusts, and estate planning
- Salaries: $80,000–$150,000+
- Government Legal Roles
- Agencies: FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, ICE, NOAA, Dept. of Justice, SEC
- Focus: Compliance, investigations, policy advisory
- Legal Educator or Trainer
- Teach law courses, develop CLE programs, or train professionals on legal software
- Legal Recruiter
- Assist firms and companies recruit legal talent
- Salaries: $60,000–$200,000+
- Corporate Counsel or In-House Attorney
- Focus on corporate governance, contracts, and risk management
- AI Specialist
The hottest area in the legal field today. The field needs experts in this new field. Salaries to be determined.
Alternative Careers Leveraging Transferable Legal Skills
For those ready to step outside the legal field entirely, these careers utilize skills honed during your legal career.
Business and Finance Careers
- Business Strategy Consultant
- Advise on risk management, operations, or governance
- Salaries: $90,000–$200,000
- Financial Planner or Wealth Advisor
- Manage client wealth and tax planning
- Salaries: $80,000–$200,000+
- Corporate Risk Analyst
- Identify and mitigate risks in corporate operations
- Real Estate Developer or Consultant or Agent
- Focus on property acquisition and development
- Fund Manager
- Oversee management of a company’s funds, also, analysts, and make financial decisions regarding stocks, bonds and securities.
Creative and Writing Careers
- Writer or Journalist
- Write articles, blogs, or legal thrillers
- Film/TV Legal Consultant
- Ensure accuracy in legal scenes and serve as a subject matter expert
- Public Relations Specialist
- Manage public perception and crisis communication
Education and Training Careers
- College Instructor or Career Counselor
- Teach courses or guide career transitions
- Corporate Trainer
- Lead workshops on compliance or business ethics
Policy and Advocacy Careers
- Policy Advisor or Legislative Analyst
- Shape public policy for agencies or think tanks
- Nonprofit Executive or Advocate
- Lead organizations focused on social justice or reform
- Environmental or Sustainability Consultant
- Advise on regulatory compliance and environmental initiatives
Technology and Innovation Careers
- Technology Product Manager
- Develop tech solutions for legal or compliance tools
- AI and Tech Specialist
- Work on AI-driven solutions
Marketing and Sales Careers
- Marketing Director for Law Firms
- Oversee campaigns, PR, and strategies
- Event Planner for Legal Conferences
- Organize industry events
Entrepreneurship and Leadership Careers
- Entrepreneur or Business Owner
- Start your own business in any industry
- Crisis Manager
- Navigate reputational and operational crises
Final Thoughts on Alternative Careers
The term “alternative career” doesn’t mean abandoning your legal background—it means leveraging it. Your skills in communication, research, negotiation, and management are invaluable across many industries.
To successfully pivot, craft a resume that highlights your transferable skills and aligns with your target field. Add relevant training or certifications to fill gaps, and don’t be afraid to embrace new challenges.No matter your decision, one thing remains true: your legal expertise has prepared you for much more than you might realize. Whether you keep your current title or embrace something new, the journey ahead can be just as fulfilling as the one behind you.
About the Author
Chere Estrin has over 20 years of experience in the staffing arena, including executive positions in law firms, litigation support companies, and the legal staffing divisions of a $5billion publicly held corporation. She is CEO of Estrin Legal Staffing, a nationwide staffing organization. Ms. Estrin was founder of the Paralegal Knowledge Institute, an online CLE organization. She publishes the prestigious digital magazine, KNOW, the Magazine for Paralegals, and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Sue, the Magazine for Women Litigators. She is also the author of 10 books about legal careers for attorneys and legal professionals.
Ms. Estrin’s contributions to the legal industry have been significant, and she continues to play an active role in shaping the future of legal staffing and training. She writes the popular,
award-winning blog, The Estrin Report, and has been interviewed by CBS News along with many top publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Forbes.com, Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Newsweek, The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Journal, ABA Journal, Above the Law, ALM, Law360 and many others. She has also been a speaker for many prestigious organizations and written hundreds of articles.
As the Co-Founding Member and President of the Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP), Ms. Estrin has guided the association’s development and implementation of the eDiscovery and Litigation Support certification exams (first in the country) along with Pearson Publications, a $7 billion corporation specializing in certification exams and educational publishing. She was also the Education Director designing, creating and executing online, live training programs with an on-call roster of over 500 instructors throughout the world. Currently, she provides webinars on legal career matters for LawPractice and Lawline, two of the largest attorney CLE online training organizations.
Ms. Estrin is a co-founding member of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA) and the Organization of Legal Professionals, composed of a prestigious Board of Governors inclusive of judges, an ABA President, and well-known attorneys. She is the recipient of the Los Angeles/Century City “Women of Achievement” award and recognized as One of the Top 50 Women in Los Angeles. Ms. Estrin has been writing The Estrin Report since 2005 and most recently launched her podcast, “Lawfully Employed”.
Reach out at: chere@estrinlegalstaffing.com or visit her website at EstrinLegalStaffing.com.