Why Some Lawyers Are Resigning from Elite Firms—and What to Do If You’re One of Them
When your values and your workplace no longer align, your finances can support your decision—not stand in the way of it.
A growing number of attorneys are leaving high-paying firm jobs over ethical concerns. Here’s how to think through the money side of that decision.
When Your Job Crosses a Line
If you’re an associate at a top law firm like Paul Weiss or Skadden, you’re used to weighing trade-offs. Long hours, intense pressure, and high expectations come with the territory—but so do the paycheck, the prestige, and the promise that maybe, someday, this job will help you do something more meaningful.
But for many, that trade-off has stopped making sense.
Both Paul Weiss and Skadden have struck controversial deals with the Trump administration—agreeing to provide pro bono work for causes the administration supports in exchange for avoiding restrictions that would have barred their employees from federal buildings and security clearances. And for lawyers who joined these firms hoping to build toward values-aligned careers—or to use pro bono work as a way to make a difference—the fallout has been deeply discouraging.
Pages once dedicated to LGBTQ advocacy and family reunification cases have vanished from the Paul Weiss website. Law students are organizing boycotts. Associates are resigning.
If you're one of them—or you’re considering becoming one of them—what now?
If You’re Thinking About Leaving
Let’s start with preparation. If you're seriously considering resigning but haven't done it yet, here are a few things to consider:
Student Loans: If you have federal student loans, check whether you’re already on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan like Income-Based Repayment (IBR). If not, consider enrolling. These plans tie your monthly payments to your income—and in the case of IBR, they’re capped at the 10-year standard repayment amount. If your income drops after leaving your firm, your monthly payment will drop, too.
Emergency Savings: The rule of thumb is to have three to six months of expenses in a savings account, but let’s be honest—many people don’t. If your cash reserves are limited, it’s worth looking at what other resources you can tap in a pinch.
Roth IRA Withdrawals: If you’ve contributed to a Roth IRA, you can withdraw your contributions—not the earnings—at any time, tax- and penalty-free. That flexibility makes Roth IRAs a potential backup source of cash flow. To check how much of your Roth balance is contributions, log into your account or ask your provider for a contribution summary.
Health Insurance: Losing your job is a qualifying event for a special enrollment period on the ACA marketplace. If you're not covered under a partner’s plan, check your options there. And don’t forget about any money you have in a Health Savings Account (HSA)—you can use it tax-free for eligible medical expenses, even if you’re no longer contributing.
If You’ve Already Left
First, good on you for making a values-based decision. That’s no small thing.
Now let’s talk about cash flow. Even high earners can feel off-balance when the paychecks stop. Here’s how to ground yourself:
Inventory Your Expenses: What’s on autopay? What’s non-negotiable (rent, groceries, insurance)? What’s flexible (restaurants, travel, subscriptions)? What’s coming up (gifts, trips, annual renewals)? You don’t need a spreadsheet to the penny, but a clear picture helps you plan.
Segment Your Money: Consider setting up different checking accounts (or using sub-accounts) to allocate what you’ve got. One for essentials. One for flexible spending. One for savings or taxes if you’ll have freelance income. This can give you a sense of control even if your budget is tight.
Pause Retirement Contributions: It’s okay. Your top priority right now is navigating the transition. You can ramp up saving again when you’re earning steadily. The long-term impact of skipping a few months (or even a year or two) of contributions is likely smaller than you think.
Get Strategic with Drawdowns: If you need to draw from savings, try to prioritize sources that won’t trigger taxes or penalties—like Roth IRA contributions or cash in a brokerage or high-yield savings account. Avoid tapping traditional IRAs or 401(k)s if possible, since those typically come with early withdrawal penalties.
What This Is Really About
To me, this is what personal finance is really for—not just building the highest possible net worth, but building a working life that honors your values. Sometimes that means making a change. And sometimes it means pausing altogether, because continuing would mean compromising something you care about.
The point of all this financial prep isn’t just to weather the storm—it’s to create the conditions where you can choose integrity over inertia. It’s to help you feel some sense of agency, even in the middle of uncertainty.
If you’re considering resigning—or already have—and want to talk things through, you can use this link to grab time with me. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s just a conversation. A chance to vent, if you want. I’ll be a sounding board, share some thoughts, and help you think through what might be next. No pressure, no commitment. Just a space to talk.
Because the real goal isn’t just to build wealth. It’s to build a life you’re proud of.
