<b>Professional Development University: </b>CLE for the Experienced Practitioner

As one who has devoted most of my career to the growth and development of legal professionals, including lawyers and judges, I can attest to the palpable and perplexing changes that adults experience as they progress in their careers. Without compromising confidences, I know that there are numerous lawyers who feel stuck in a rut of routine filings or litigation lethargy (tired of the fight and incivility), those who are trapped by income and power that they secretly would sacrifice if they knew what to do, and those who just don't like the practice of law any longer or perhaps never did.

I am not alluding to the stereotypical mid-career burnout, though that may be a factor, but rather the continuing evolution of the adult mind, body, and spirit. The practice of law, the work environment, and a lawyer's business management capabilities all have an impact on the 'evolving lawyer,' but the desire to look at other options or the absence of a passion for justice or the big deal does not come in an instant but creeps into a career like weight gain or the ill effects of stress.

While I have never climbed into or out of the Grand Canyon, (only camped out in the park to see the sunset) or scaled a glacial wall (I don't particularly care for heights.), I am told that looking down or back is not a good idea. Look ahead. The same advice applies here. It makes little sense to look back at why you entered the legal profession ' eg, long line of lawyers in the family, mother's dream, idealism, desire to make a lot of money, etc., as many of those reasons may not be applicable or may be the reason you are stuck.

The goal at this point is to be fully cognizant of the reality that you may still love your work and depend upon the income to sustain your lifestyle and/or family, but you may want more, and will quietly begin to explore other options. I suspect that this begins to happen between the 7th and 8th year, paralleling the partnership track in some firms, and the 15th to 20th year. It may occur earlier if you are in a smaller practice with less support from paralegals or administrative staff.

Among the options are career coaches, therapists, in-house mentors or just a change in practice groups. While these are all viable approaches, I suggest immersion and a sustained commitment that allows the experienced lawyer to evolve through exploration and experimentation.

Recommendations for the Evolving Lawyer

Start with your next vacation. Schedule it now with no room to reschedule, short of a personal or family emergency. No docket or deposition can take precedence. Create an experience that will free you from the urban pressures of your practice for not less than 10 days, excluding travel. Dare I say, go it alone without family or colleagues. No phone. No Blackberry. No laptop. No note pad.

Plan to take a sabbatical for 6 months or more. You have practicing law for 15 or more years with few if any rest periods to recharge your intellectual and physical batteries. The obvious impact on the business, client services and your income will need to be explored. Do not take a course in law. Look at options in the arts, medicine, ethics, religion, engineering, or work with other cultures.

If a vacation is not an option, then plan mini-get-aways over weekends or at the beginning of the workday with like-minded colleagues at the firm or from other professions. Exploration outside the law and the daily routine opens your mind to new possibilities that reinvigorate day-to-day commitments, but also stimulate new thinking.

Putting an artist's brush in your hand can prove to be an embarrassment, but it forces you to think, act, and move differently.

Finally, as you meet other lawyers or professionals, ask what they do outside their work that stimulates their thinking and whether they have considered other options, either within their chosen profession or in another field. Meet, read, and exercise with people who are different and think differently. Listen and absorb.

The evolving lawyer is real. If you are a managing partner, you may find yourself looking at yourself differently, or you may start to look at how to manage your experienced and aging workforce to maximize retention, productivity, and organizational harmony.

Finally, invest in the evolving lawyer ' you. It will result in a longer, healthier, productive, and rewarding career.

As one who has devoted most of my career to the growth and development of legal professionals, including lawyers and judges, I can attest to the palpable and perplexing changes that adults experience as they progress in their careers. Without compromising confidences, I know that there are numerous lawyers who feel stuck in a rut of routine filings or litigation lethargy (tired of the fight and incivility), those who are trapped by income and power that they secretly would sacrifice if they knew what to do, and those who just don't like the practice of law any longer or perhaps never did.

I am not alluding to the stereotypical mid-career burnout, though that may be a factor, but rather the continuing evolution of the adult mind, body, and spirit. The practice of law, the work environment, and a lawyer's business management capabilities all have an impact on the 'evolving lawyer,' but the desire to look at other options or the absence of a passion for justice or the big deal does not come in an instant but creeps into a career like weight gain or the ill effects of stress.

While I have never climbed into or out of the Grand Canyon, (only camped out in the park to see the sunset) or scaled a glacial wall (I don't particularly care for heights.), I am told that looking down or back is not a good idea. Look ahead. The same advice applies here. It makes little sense to look back at why you entered the legal profession ' eg, long line of lawyers in the family, mother's dream, idealism, desire to make a lot of money, etc., as many of those reasons may not be applicable or may be the reason you are stuck.

The goal at this point is to be fully cognizant of the reality that you may still love your work and depend upon the income to sustain your lifestyle and/or family, but you may want more, and will quietly begin to explore other options. I suspect that this begins to happen between the 7th and 8th year, paralleling the partnership track in some firms, and the 15th to 20th year. It may occur earlier if you are in a smaller practice with less support from paralegals or administrative staff.

Among the options are career coaches, therapists, in-house mentors or just a change in practice groups. While these are all viable approaches, I suggest immersion and a sustained commitment that allows the experienced lawyer to evolve through exploration and experimentation.

Recommendations for the Evolving Lawyer

Start with your next vacation. Schedule it now with no room to reschedule, short of a personal or family emergency. No docket or deposition can take precedence. Create an experience that will free you from the urban pressures of your practice for not less than 10 days, excluding travel. Dare I say, go it alone without family or colleagues. No phone. No Blackberry. No laptop. No note pad.

Plan to take a sabbatical for 6 months or more. You have practicing law for 15 or more years with few if any rest periods to recharge your intellectual and physical batteries. The obvious impact on the business, client services and your income will need to be explored. Do not take a course in law. Look at options in the arts, medicine, ethics, religion, engineering, or work with other cultures.

If a vacation is not an option, then plan mini-get-aways over weekends or at the beginning of the workday with like-minded colleagues at the firm or from other professions. Exploration outside the law and the daily routine opens your mind to new possibilities that reinvigorate day-to-day commitments, but also stimulate new thinking.

Putting an artist's brush in your hand can prove to be an embarrassment, but it forces you to think, act, and move differently.

Finally, as you meet other lawyers or professionals, ask what they do outside their work that stimulates their thinking and whether they have considered other options, either within their chosen profession or in another field. Meet, read, and exercise with people who are different and think differently. Listen and absorb.

The evolving lawyer is real. If you are a managing partner, you may find yourself looking at yourself differently, or you may start to look at how to manage your experienced and aging workforce to maximize retention, productivity, and organizational harmony.

Finally, invest in the evolving lawyer ' you. It will result in a longer, healthier, productive, and rewarding career.