In 2020, I was a washed-out, unemployed lawyer with zero presence (anywhere).
I hadn’t worked a “real job” in 5 years;
I’d let my lawyering skills lapse;
I’d let my people skills lapse;
I’d let my self-worth lapse;
I’d become a nobody.
But the worst part was having no community.
You see, when you stop being a lawyer after spending your entire adult life as one (as I did in 2016 after 20 years), you don’t just lose your title, role, and income.
—You lose your former colleagues who you’d thought had become friends but who were now too busy to return your calls.
—You lose your status as a family breadwinner with influence over major family financial decisions.
—You can even lose your purpose for getting up on any given day.
That sad state described me in early 2021, and it was, indeed, most pathetic.
But there was one fledgling light:
I’d had recent success tutoring a 1L during the pandemic, and she’d made me realize I actually still had something valuable to add to the legal-writing world.
That—combined with a “social-media dare” from my then 19-y.o. daughter (and perhaps what was an uncharacteristically carefree spirit donned during the pandemic)—came to lead me to LinkedIn.
At the time, I had fewer than 500 outdated “connections” here, and I didn’t know a soul who posted their own original content.
But I started.
And since sharing my first post, I have:
-received job offers
-appeared on podcasts
-secured brand collaborations
-built a profitable coaching business
-started and grown two email newsletters
-published a bestselling book on legal writing.
Yet most significant for me, I’ve created a place where I can come each day and have people know my name and be glad I am here.
That, I submit, is priceless.
It’s what I call “community,” and it’s what I cherish more than anything.
And all leads to today, when I’m celebrating a new milestone:
🎉🎊 60,000+ followers. 🎉🎊
I appreciate each and every one of you—a lot more than you could know.
And no, I do not see walking away any time soon.
So let’s go!!!
Let’s keep going!
Let’s be just getting started.
Let’s rekindle the early fire we found.
I encourage each and every one of you to dig deeper and find a way to show up here on this platform.
And if you do, please reach out—I’ve got insights I can share; I love supporting new creators; and I’d love to support you.
That’s it. Now cheer. It’s 2026. Let’s make it the best ever year!
💌 Amanda
P.S. Hat tip to my dear friend, Laura Frederick, who—once again—has motivated me to show up and post here. I couldn’t have done any of this alone, and I am so grateful we found each other.
