Top Reasons to Retire from the Law

Whether or not to retire from the Law is a big decision. No matter what age you are or how many years you have practiced, the option should always be kept on the table. Here are the top reasons to retire from the Law.

1. Stress. Practicing law is a highly stressful activity. Very few things in a lawyer's daily routine are non-adversarial. In other words, attorneys essentially fight all day. Fight with other lawyers, fight with stubborn clients, fight with bureaucracies. In addition, lawyers have to deal with a slow-moving and incredibly frustrating system of justice that is constantly putting obstacles in his way, attempting to make it even more difficult to practice law.

2. Bad people. Lawyers, no matter what field of law they practice in, inevitably come across some very bad people. While this may be true of many professions, it is especially true for lawyers. These toxic people can come in the form of other lawyers, imbecilic judges, and deadbeat or criminal clients. Sometimes the only way for the lawyer to rid himself of those bad people is to retire from the Law.

3. Alternatives. In my article "Non-legal Careers for Lawyers," I outlined just a few of the viable alternative careers for attorneys. A lawyer need not practice law to make a good living. Indeed, lawyers can earn much more in other professions using their degree and experience in Law.

4. Time. Practicing law can steal away more hours per week than just about any other profession. Whether you are a big firm lawyer burning the midnight oil to increase those billable hours, or a sole practitioner who has bitten off more than he can chew, as an attorney your free time usually isn't your own. When you realize you are not enjoying life, it is time to consider retiring from the Law.

5. Geographic location. Practicing law can easily dictate where you live. If you are licensed in New York, it may seem daunting to take another bar exam in order to move to California. And if you practice criminal law, it is nearly impossible to move out of the big city to a small town with a low crime rate. Free yourself of the shackles of a legal career and you are free to move as you please.