I’m a first year litigation associate ~7 months in and I already know this job isn’t for me. It sounds so cliche, but my mental and physical health have taken a big hit. I’ve reached out to my state’s mental health crisis line for lawyers and they just recommended therapy (which I’ve been doing + medication management for years). I also have epilepsy that used to be well-managed, but the stress is making my seizures come back. I’m really, really trying to stick it out for at least a year, but I don’t even think I can make it to the end of 2 or 3 years.
I understand exit options are tough as a junior associate, but has anybody successfully left biglaw very early (like 1-2 years in) and found a job with actual WLB? I know there will be a pay cut when I leave, but I’m worried that going to a small/mid-size firm will mean 90% of the workload for 50% of the pay.