It’s also true that the other lawyer coaches I’ve seen and communicated with are lawyers themselves (practicing or not). 

That’s how most coaching works, after all. “I am a _____, and I can relate to being in your shoes and this is what I did to help myself get to a better place and have success. I will show you the way.”

If I’m not a lawyer, then why do I want to work with lawyers? 

Good question. I could have picked many different niches. In fact, that was a barrier for me to get my coaching business started. I’ve worked with a wide variety of people over the past 10 years. It took a long time for me to have that “Aha!” moment about who my ideal client is.

In the coaching world, the gurus tell you you need a specific niche. “If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one.” 

I considered doing divorce coaching online (that was my original target client with Vantage View Coaching until I realized I don’t want to be talking about divorce all day on social media), considered working with Moms who were overwhelmed and struggling, considered working with women who were battling perfectionism, and many other ideas trying to find the one that lit me up. 

My “Aha!” Moment

The lightbulb moment of “Aha! It’s lawyers!” hit me in June 2020 in the early stages of the pandemic and lockdown.

I was brainstorming ways to generate business for Knoxville Counseling Services because there was a major drop off across the board in therapy services when lockdown happened.

My lawyer husband was struggling with working from home, isolated from a new firm he joined 2 weeks prior to lockdown (we had just moved back from Nashville 6 weeks prior, but that’s an entirely different nightmare of a story), and I knew everyone’s mental health was suffering.

I had the thought, “I could contact the Knoxville Bar Association and do CLEs on mental health for lawyers.”

And BAM! There it was.

YES! I want to coach lawyers. I remember it clear as day. I was mowing the grass, just in one of those spaces where my mind could generate ideas and be creative. It was sunny, warm, and blue skies with a few clouds. 

I felt so elated and knew I would be energized and passionate about working with lawyers for the rest of my career. 

For me, it’s personal and professional. 

I’ve lived the life of a lawyer’s family member both as a daughter and now as a wife.

I’ve seen the toll the 160 or 180+ hour billable month requirements take on lawyers. 

I’ve seen and experienced the missed holidays, the working while on vacation, the spillover effect that unmanaged stress has on lawyers and their loved ones.

I’ve seen the daily use of alcohol as a stress-management tool. 

I had to get out of the habit of having a drink (or more) every night after 8-10 therapy sessions a day as a way to manage my own stress. After all, that was what was modeled for me growing up. This was a nightly ritual for my husband and myself until he quit drinking alcohol 5 years ago. 

I’ve seen the lack of emotional health support from law firms when an attorney is going through a very difficult time (both personally and having attorneys as therapy clients).

I’ve been on the receiving end of communication when a conflict feels like I am being interrogated on the witness stand. (Lawyers: the communication skills that make you an excellent litigator are not the same ones that will serve you as a spouse, a parent, or a manager of other attorneys.)

My best friend always wanted to be a lawyer and quit practicing law after having kids because she felt like she couldn’t be a lawyer and a mom. She struggled with her identity after that. She had her own battles with alcohol but is now sober and thriving.

I’m also aware of the mental health statistics regarding lawyer well-being. How the rates of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are greater than the general population. How the culture is to suck it up, have it all together, and just get your f-ing work done, despite the statistics and the KNOWING of many lawyers that this is not healthy or sustainable, this culture still exists.

The list goes on. I have many friends and colleagues who are lawyers. I have more personal stories. I do have positive stories of lawyers who are thriving. I know it’s possible. 

Professionally, this is what I’ve gone to school for, have ongoing education in, and 10 years of experience of helping people. I get fulfillment out of helping others thrive in life. That’s always been the best part of being a therapist, and it is the best part of being a coach: Seeing people make the emotional wellness transformations so they can have quality of life in all areas. 

I find fulfillment in helping lawyers (and as a result, their loved ones) have improved quality of life because I know the toll it takes when you don’t have it. 

I simply don’t accept that your wellbeing needs to be compromised in the name of your career.

I believe you (and every human) can have both – a thriving life and career. 

You all do so much for your clients on a daily basis. You are out there advocating, fighting for justice, being changemakers, and doing amazing work in very difficult areas. I have massive respect and appreciation for your careers. You deserve to have a thriving life in addition to the amazing work that you do, not at the expense of your work.

That’s why I coach lawyers.

Book a Call today, and let’s chat about how we can work together to help you create a sustainable career and life you love!