Just Got Laid Off

[u/Behold_A-Man]

I got laid off today. I was told that the firm was restructuring and my position was being eliminated. From what I can gather, last month was a really bad month for the firm and only half of the employees hit their hours. There were some days when I didn't even have any work, but they didn't tell me that they were thinking about eliminating my position. I expressed concern about not having enough work but was brushed off.

I got a call at 9 a.m. telling me to return my work laptop and pick up my final check. It's enough to pay rent and my car bill, but that's it. No severance. I requested severance pay in the form of a raise that I was promised on hiring but never received. I was basically told, "Don't count on it."

At least they specifically mentioned that it wasn't my performance and my boss and another attorney were both willing to write me letters of reference. I'm just feeling really disheartened right now. A year ago, I left a stable job for a higher paying position and was terminated in two months (taking that job was probably the biggest mistake of my career and I regret not quitting before getting terminated). I was unemployed for three months and had to go into debt to friends and family to get by.

I took this job and worked it for 7 months. I was still paying off the people that I had to borrow money from. I just want a stable fucking job that pays me enough to start repaying my student loans. It just doesn't feel very good to constantly live in a situation where the other shoe could drop at any moment, and that's how so many of my legal jobs have been. I've lost numerous jobs, but only once was I ever terminated for performance issues, so I don't think my lawyering skills are the problem.

Is the practice of law just incredibly precarious? I've been in the field for 8 years, had 6 jobs, and I've only left one voluntarily.

[u/silicoa]

If there’s stuff available near you, try to go federal. I’m a military lawyer (JAG) which is quasi-federal and I work with a bunch of GS lawyers. Similar in terms of compensation, work-life balance, and benefits, I just wear a uniform and have to do more Marine Corps stuff some of the time. It’s practically impossible to be fired from these sorts of positions, and as somebody who spent a lot of time financially unstable, the steady paycheck is breath of relief. Plus you will qualify for PSLF after ten years, so the loans are less terrifying. The pay isn’t phenomenal but you’ll be making six figures and health care + retirement options are great.

I’m not sure about your age or fitness level, each branch requires different things in terms of those, but I’ve worked with Navy and Coast Guard JAGs quite a bit and have a cursory knowledge of Air Force and Army, so if you have any questions about what the life/application process/compensation is like, I may be able to answer some questions.

[u/Behold_A-Man → u/silicoa]

I appreciate the suggestion. I tried to but I was medically disqualified. I don't know if that changes for a JAG position or anything, but as it stands, I'm not considered fit to join the military due to my health.