Dear 1L,

Who are you when you leave BigLaw AND stop the active practice of law?

I received this letter from the Pennsylvania Bar. It hit me kind of hard.

It’s not a bad thing or anything like that. But it’s a clear change in official status.

It is bittersweet, too, as I loved practicing law, and it will always be a big part of me.

I put off any such change since 2016. My confidence and sense of identity took a real hit when I left BigLaw, and I didn’t know what I wanted to “be” next. I’ve had to try on different hats and see how they fit, I think.

I am so grateful for the support of this community during this process of figuring it all out (as much as anyone ever really can).

💌 Amanda