Mid-level litigator. Just exhausted, over the constant annoying demands, I want to prioritize my relationship (+ maybe kids), and just generally want my life back. I don’t want to be a partner but also don’t want to take a huge pay cut in-house or in mid-law. I’ve done the math and even if I don’t hit hours (would try not to exceed 1,700 for sanity) and don’t get a bonus, my salary alone would likely be more than whatever salary + bonus I could get in-house or at mid-law (barring the unicorn, high-paying with equity in-house job). Lots of generalizations here, and I know every firm and office are different, blah blah blah, I shouldn’t wait to be too senior, etc.
After you decided this wasn’t for you, how long were you able to phone it in? If you’ve since left, what was your tipping point? Any tips to do this right? Any regrets (ie not leaving sooner)?