You’ve probably felt it. A subtle shift at first. A conversation that dodges hard truths. An email that doesn’t say what it means. A slow, uneasy sense that something in your environment is drifting—away from integrity, and toward something harder to name.
You entered the law because justice mattered to you. Not as a concept, but as a practice. You believed in its potential to protect, to hold power accountable, and to serve people—not just systems.
But lately, the work feels different. Maybe your firm is staying silent when it should be speaking up. Maybe leadership is aligning with influence over principle. And suddenly, you find yourself wondering if the place you’ve poured so much of yourself into still reflects the values you started with.
If you’re asking hard questions—about the role of the law, about the choices your firm is making, about your place in all of it—you’re not alone. That discomfort you feel isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a sign that your conscience is intact. That you’re awake. That you’re paying attention.
The truth is, you may not be able to change your entire organization. And you may not be able to fix what’s unraveling at the national level. But you can choose not to abandon yourself. And that choice—that quiet, steady refusal to disconnect from what matters—is more powerful than it might seem.
There are ways to begin. Here are a few questions that might help you find your next move:
- Where am I out of alignment—and how do I know?
Pay attention to how your body responds to the places and conversations that leave you drained or conflicted. Often, your nervous system speaks before your mind catches up.
- What am I tolerating that quietly breaks my heart?
Name it without judgment. The small compromises, the moments you talk yourself out of what you know—it’s okay to be honest about those.
- What’s one small act that would bring me closer to my values here?
You don’t need a grand gesture. A question in a meeting. A gentle no. A pause. Start with what’s doable, not what’s dramatic.
- Who can I speak with honestly about this?
Find someone who won’t try to fix or soften your experience—just someone who can hold it with you. We aren’t meant to navigate this kind of tension alone.
- What kind of lawyer—and what kind of human—do I want to be right now?
Let that guide you more than fear, more than pressure, more than the noise.
This isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about staying present, staying true, and choosing not to go numb.
The integrity of the profession doesn’t live in buildings or institutions—it lives in people. In their clarity. Their care. Their courage.
In people like you.
Feeling the tension? You don’t have to navigate it alone.
If this resonated, you might be standing at a crossroads—one where clarity, courage, and alignment matter more than ever. I work with lawyers and leaders who want to stay true to their values, even in environments that feel off-course.
If you’re ready to explore how executive coaching can support your next move—from quiet discernment to bold action—I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
