Few experiences are as unsettling for a lawyer as losing a job—or realizing that your current target is unattainable. Whether the trigger is an economic downturn, a failed bar exam, or performance-related concerns, being unemployed or underemployed can feel like being in a professional free fall. Yet career interruptions are increasingly common, and—handled thoughtfully—they need not derail long-term success. In fact, time between jobs can be a powerful opportunity to reassess, recalibrate, and strategically enhance your marketability.
First, manage the transition professionally and emotionally.
If you’re terminated or laid off, staying calm and professional is essential. The legal community is small, and reputations travel quickly. Preserve relationships where possible, clarify your exit story, and understand what references your former employer is willing to provide.
Whether you lose a job or fail the bar exam, allow yourself time to process the emotional impact. Feelings of disappointment, anger, or shame are normal, but unresolved emotions can undermine interviews and decision-making. Take care of your health, seek support, and keep moving forward deliberately.
Conduct an honest self-audit.
Before rushing into applications, take stock of your skills, preferences, and long-term goals. Ask yourself whether you want to return to a similar role or explore a different direction. If a bar exam setback is involved, assess what went wrong and whether a revised study strategy makes sense. For some, this reflection reveals that traditional law practice may not be the best fit—and that realization can be liberating rather than limiting.
In that case, broaden your view to JD-advantage roles. As a California Bar–commissioned report observed, “The business of law is growing, but the practice of law is shrinking.” Today’s marketplace offers abundant roles where legal training is valuable but bar passage is not required. Compliance, contracts administration, regulatory analysis, mediation, legal project management, human resources, labor relations, government policy, and nonprofit administration all reward the research, writing, and analytical skills developed in law school.
A good career coach can help you clarify your priorities and identify optional career paths.
Stay active in the profession, even without a license in your current jurisdiction.
If your heart is set on a lawyer job ultimately, consider temporary law clerk, intern, or paralegal roles. They often are available through staffing agencies or law school networks and allow unbarred JDs to gain relevant experience. Many firms hire law clerks, making offers contingent on local bar passage, and may allow multiple test-taking attempts before reconsidering employment. Short-term contract roles for discovery, research, or project support also can lead to permanent positions, either at law firms or in corporate legal departments.
Judicial clerkships are another often-overlooked option. Many state and smaller-jurisdiction judges don’t require admission in the local bar, and these roles provide excellent training, strong references, and continued immersion in legal work. Or consider roles in government and nonprofits where a JD is an advantage but passing the bar is not required. Volunteering with organizations providing pro bono services in an area of law that interests you can provide exposure to that practice which may give you an advantage.
Some candidates also consider taking the bar exam in other jurisdictions with higher pass rates and reciprocity options to waive into the bar elsewhere. Gaining admission somewhere can expand flexibility and open doors later.
Invest in skill-building and credentials.
Additional education can signal growth rather than stagnation. Pursuing an LL.M. can keep you academically engaged, while an MBA or transactions-focused program may strengthen your candidacy for corporate roles. Increasingly, technological and AI literacy are critical differentiators; lawyers who can work efficiently with modern tools are more competitive across practice and industry settings.
Network deliberately and consistently.
Marketability depends on momentum. Between jobs, networking is not optional, it’s foundational. Join relevant bar association sections, alumni groups, and professional organizations. Volunteer with nonprofits providing pro bono services to show commitment. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and even employers who previously interviewed you; prior interest often makes them receptive to freelance or part-time help.
Use this time to conduct informational interviews to learn how various roles function day to day. Ask for information and advice rather than jobs, and follow up professionally. Even if you’re studying for the bar exam full-time, you still need to eat lunch! Just one conversation a week can clarify your direction and expand your network.
And, when you’re ready, contact a reputable recruiter to assist you with identifying and pursuing target opportunities.
Market yourself with intention.
Treat your job search as a full-time professional project. Update your resume to reflect continued development, not interruption. Prepare writing samples, rehearse interview answers—especially your explanation for leaving your last role—and present a clear, factual narrative without defensiveness or blame. Emphasize transferable skills and how you can add value to a prospective employer.
Ultimately, career setbacks are rarely permanent. Progress in a difficult market comes not from doing more, but from working smarter. Use this time to expand your vision, broaden and strengthen relationships, build relevant skills, and take care of yourself. Steady, thoughtful action during the transitional period can position you to re-enter the market stronger, clearer, and more competitive than before.
