Biglaw

The Power Of Quitting Biglaw To Pursue A Childhood Dream

Sometimes leaving Biglaw is the right thing for you.

By Kathryn Rubino on September 03, 2024 11:33 am

JAB178 SOCIAL(IG)In this episode, I chat with Jiadai Lin, author and winner of the Sandra Carpenter Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Discover Jiadai’s journey from Biglaw to heartfelt storytelling, balancing law and literature with grace. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on following your true passion!

Highlights

  • The straightforwardness of a legal career versus the uncertainty of a writing career.
  • Jiadai’s compartmentalization of her law career and writing career.
  • The emotional impact and challenges of leaving Big Law to pursue writing.
  • The struggle and eventual acceptance of failures in her early writing career.
  • The flexibility and benefits of working at a startup law firm while writing.
  • The significant impact of winning the Sandra Carpenter Prize.
  • The deep personal nature of her writing and its vulnerability.
  • The role of memory and its imperfection in writing memoirs.
  • Advice for lawyers harboring creative ambitions.
  • The importance of giving oneself permission to pursue passions.

The Jabot podcast is an offshoot of the Above the Law brand focused on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. Our name comes from none other than the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the jabot (decorative collar) she wore when delivering dissents from the bench. It’s a reminder that even when we aren’t winning, we’re still a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Happy listening!

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].