At the risk of sounding 104 years old, my how times have changed, even since I graduated from law school.  Economic hardship is shaping the way lawyers do business and how new and even seasoned lawyers are entering (or re-entering) an atrophied and evolving workforce.  These strained circumstances may give rise to greater professional creativity and risk taking.

I happen to know a little something about this, having been general counsel of a non-profit that went out of business.  Finding comparable work proved difficult and the competition for those limited positions was tough.  I did something radical and stopped to consider what I wanted my next professional step to be.  My original Plan A (to again serve as general counsel) soon gave way to my current plan – to build my own mediation and collaborative law practice.  If asked earlier in my career whether I would hang out my own shingle, I would have laughed at the ridiculous suggestion.  I have always preferred security and stability to the unknown.  But here I am and I am not alone.

So, now I am curious:

1. Have you taken a professional leap?  If so, what was the leap and why did you take it?
2. What have you found to be effective (and/or ineffective) marketing, networking and/or advertising strategies?

I hope to get enough information to share in an upcoming article.  Please send your response to [email protected].  (It will also be interesting to see if anyone besides my wonderful, supportive family is reading my blog contributions.)

If you have leapt but the net has not quite appeared, I leave with you some parting thoughts.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert Einstein

“I have failed many times, that is why I am a success.” -Michael Jordan

“Don’t crawl into bed with a pint of ice cream, a fifth of vodka and a bag of chips.  You will regret it in the morning.” -Christie Foppiano

Here’s to risk taking in our brave new world!  I will be waiting for your email.

By Christie M. Foppiano