When “Good Enough” Keeps Lawyers Stuck
Change is hard. But for lawyers? Career change can feel almost impossible.
As a legal career coach, I work with attorneys every day who tell me they want something different. More flexibility. More growth. A chance to practice law on their own terms.
And yet—when the opportunity finally arrives—sometimes they freeze.
A Lawyer’s Story: When Safety Wins Over Growth
I was recently working with a candidate for a role I’m filling. We’d gone through five meetings. Salary negotiated. Every demand met. The offer on the table was exactly what he said he wanted:
Higher earning potential with no ceiling.
Flexibility to work remotely.
The ability to move back home, close to family and friends.
On paper, it was perfect.
But after an hour-long call, it came down to this: change felt too risky. His current boss is a known quantity. His job is steady. Things are “good”—not great, not growth-oriented, but safe.
And so he stayed.
Why Lawyers Resist Change
This is something I see again and again with attorneys. Lawyers are trained to assess risk, minimize exposure, and look for precedent before making any move. That skill makes them excellent practitioners. But it also makes them deeply risk-averse—and that conservative mindset can keep them stuck in legal careers that no longer serve them.
I reminded this candidate that the last big leap in his career—leaving Big Law for a smaller firm with better balance—wasn’t even his idea. His then-girlfriend pushed him to take the risk. Looking back, he admitted it was the best decision of his career. But without that external nudge, he might still be grinding away at 2,400 billable hours, telling himself “good enough” is safe.
The Real Risk Is Staying
Here’s the truth: sometimes the biggest risk isn’t leaving. It’s staying.
Staying in a role that caps your growth.
Staying in an environment that drains your energy.
Staying when you’ve outgrown the work, the culture, or the paycheck.
Lawyers pride themselves on being logical, but career decisions are never purely logical. They’re emotional. They’re human. And when fear of change overrides vision for what’s possible, we end up choosing comfort over growth.
The attorneys who thrive long-term are the ones willing to risk short-term discomfort in service of something bigger. Because if you wait until change feels safe, you’ll be waiting forever.
Ready for Change?
If you’re a lawyer who feels stuck in “good enough,” you don’t have to figure it out alone. I help attorneys navigate career transitions, explore new legal career options, and create paths that align with both professional growth and personal well-being.
👉 Contact me to start your next chapter.