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Leaving BigLaw Behind: Sarah Cottrell on Finding Clarity Beyond the Legal Path

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Leaving BigLaw Behind: Sarah Cottrell on Finding Clarity Beyond the Legal Path

Ben Chiriboga, Sarah Cottrell

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October 20, 2025

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Season 3 Episode 36

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In this episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga sits down with Sarah Cottrell — former BigLaw lawyer turned career coach and founder of The Former Lawyer Podcast.

Together, they explore the courage it takes to step away from prestige, perfectionism, and external validation to rediscover what truly matters. Sarah shares her journey through burnout, anxiety, and uncertainty — and why true clarity doesn’t come from overthinking, but from taking action.

About Our Guest

Sarah Cottrell is a career coach who helps unhappy lawyers ditch their soul-sucking jobs. She practiced law for ten years and specializes in helping lawyers identify alternative careers.

Sarah hosts The Former Lawyer Podcast, where she interviews lawyers who have left law for other fields and provides advice and strategies for those who want to do the same. She is an ICF-Certified Coach, a Certified Career Management Coach, and an Academies-Certified Strengths Coach.

Website: formerlawyer.com

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