I am an 11 year lawyer in a high volume practice that I generally love. But I've been with my current firm for 2 years and the entire time have been begging them to reduce caseload and cap intake. But they will not do anything about it. Everyone is drowning. And now it's caught up to a point that even working nights and weekends im constantly down to the wire on deadlines and a sick day is an ethical concern.
I'm in complete burnout mode. My psych has adjusted my meds several times but honestly my anxiety is a normal response to the stress. In an average week I have 11 new clients, 6 hearings, and 5 additional appeals due minimum. I currently have 500 clients.
I am considering jumping ship but really don't want to start over. Ideally I would like to go solo, which once established would make me more money with a much lower caseload. But I dont have the first year or two of replacement income saved (already have overhead saved up).
So am I cooked? Is it worth approaching management again? Or maybe this time loop in the ceo who I have a good relationship with?
Others at the firm are also totally underwater. An attorney also just got put on indefinite leave because she was missing calls and hearings and showing up to meetings intoxicated so now we've all been asked to cover her 700 clients. Everyone is just doing bare minimum to prevent missed deadlines and in my view not representing clients competently or zealously because of it.
Do I just find another firm?