For example, if your discomfort is caused by the confrontation necessary in a litigation practice, switching into a business or corporate transactional practice may be the answer. Keep in mind that various practice specialties often require different work styles and personality types. A lawyer who enjoys plaintiff s personal injury work, handling intense negotiations and conducting trials, would probably be bored with the detail and documentation of an estate planning practice. Conversely, a quiet, methodical, contemplative thinker would be constantly traumatized running in and out of court as a public defender or district attorney, but might thrive when drafting detailed contracts or researching complex environmental regulations. Therefore, investigate different practice areas that might more comfortably fit your work and personality style.
Some lawyers even propose alternative practices to their firms.
One of my clients discovered that all that was necessary to avoid the anxiety caused him by litigation was to develop an appellate practice at his firm, handling appeals from the firm s own cases as well as cultivating outside appeals. And his firm liked that it no longer had to hand over its clients appeals to outside attorneys. If you always envisioned yourself becoming a legal star, it is often a harsh realization that gaining recognition in a large city is difficult. For that reason, some lawyers decide to move to smaller communities, where they can become a big fish in a small pond. A client of mine, who in law school had formulated the goal of achieving broad recognition, is now a name partner in a law firm established in a small town in a tourist area.