Define Success Yourself.

By McKenzie Cotter

What does career success mean to you?  What are the first things that come to mind when you think of career success?  Really – pause and think about your answer.

You might have immediately thought; salary.  Or that fancy title that you’re excited to share at the next event when someone asks you “what do you do for work?”  Maybe what came to mind was winning a big case.

Whatever it was, was it yours? Or was it someone else’s definition of success? 

I was recently at a networking event where a law firm associate touted the fact that post-event he’d be going back to the office to work.  Was having no shortage of billables his idea of success? Maybe. Could that be someone else’s nightmare? Yes.

In a separate conversation with a friend, also an attorney, she was beaming while telling me that what she loves most about her role is being in court.  This is where she ✨ shines ✨.  Me?  The thought of ever going back to litigation makes my stomach flip.  First-chairing a trial quite frankly made me anxious, sweaty, ect ect (you get the point) and wasn’t in line with my strengths.

In the legal world, there’s a lot of pressure around the idea of “success.” Maybe it stems from Hollywood’s glamorized portrayals of lawyers, or from constantly seeing “attorney” on those lists of prestigious careers. Outside the profession, people often assume being a lawyer means long hours, big salaries, and a flashy lifestyle — think Suits. And for some, that image creates a real pressure to live up to the expectation.

With a JD, the range of opportunities at your fingertips is truly incredible - and more varied than most people realize. But here’s the key: not every path is the right one for you. The most fulfilling legal careers aren’t built by chasing someone else’s definition of success -they’re built by knowing your own. When you’re clear on your strengths, your values, and what success genuinely means to you, you can spot the opportunities that actually fit; and confidently go after them.

Real success – that can only be defined by you. 

Cheering you on,

McKenzie