Empowering Lawyers Beyond Legal Roles: A Conversation With Neil Handwerker And Kimberly Fine

In a legal world often defined by rigid swim lanes and limited career trajectories, how do you carve a new path? On Season 10, Episode 9 of “Notes to My (Legal) Self,” I had the pleasure of talking with Neil Handwerker and Kimberly Fine, co-founders of ex judicata, about reimagining what you can do with a JD. Their platform is transforming how lawyers pivot to fulfilling careers beyond traditional legal roles.

Here’s what I learned about why lawyers are seeking change, how ex judicata is helping them, and what the future holds for nontraditional legal careers.

Meet The Pioneers Of Lawyer Reinvention

Neil Handwerker and Kimberly Fine bring unique perspectives to their mission of empowering lawyers. Neil, a JD himself, left legal practice years ago and recognized the lack of resources for lawyers wanting to pivot. Kimberly, an expert in executive education and board governance, saw firsthand the need for career paths that align with lawyers’ unique skill sets. Together, they founded ex judicata to provide tools, resources, and a community for lawyers exploring new opportunities.

“We’re here to show that a JD isn’t just a law degree,” said Kimberly. “It’s a degree in complex problem-solving — and the world needs more of that.”

The Problem: Swim Lanes Without Exit Ramps

Many lawyers feel trapped in what Neil described as a “culture of isolation.” In law firms, lawyers are often siloed into specific practice areas with little exposure to other opportunities. Corporate lawyers may fare slightly better, but the profession as a whole often lacks the fluidity seen in other industries. If a lawyer wants out, the traditional options are stark: up or out.

“Lawyers just keep swimming forward without pausing to ask themselves if they’re happy or fulfilled,” Neil observed. “That’s why we wanted to create defined paths for those looking to pivot.”

The ex judicata Solution: Helping Lawyers Navigate The Pivot

To help lawyers identify and pursue nontraditional career paths, ex judicata provides a suite of tools:

• EXJ Career Match Diagnostic: A 20-to-30 minute assessment built by PhDs in organizational behavior that identifies your probability of success in five key nonlegal areas.
• Job Board: A curated selection of over 1,100 JD-advantage roles across industries.
• Coaches’ Corner: Access to experienced career coaches who offer 30-minute complimentary sessions to help with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and strategic planning.
• Talent Network: A platform connecting lawyers with employers who recognize the value of a JD in non-legal roles.

Kimberly emphasized the importance of helping lawyers realize the breadth of opportunities. “From compliance and public policy to sales and marketing, there’s a wide array of roles where legal training shines.”

Why Do Lawyers Leave The Practice?

Not every lawyer exits the profession out of unhappiness. Some seek a better work-life balance, others crave intellectual growth, and some simply want a change of pace.

Kimberly noted that the pandemic forced many lawyers to reevaluate their priorities. “For the first time, lawyers were home for dinner with their families, and they realized there’s more to life than billing hours,” she said. But the billable hour and the constant “always on” culture remain the top reasons lawyers want out.

Opportunities Beyond Traditional Legal Roles

The hundreds of job titles tagged by ex judicata as JD-advantage, reflecting roles where legal skills are highly valued, include:

• Compliance and risk management
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership
• Sales and business development
• Brand and product management

“There’s a hidden talent pool in plain sight,” Neil explained. “Lawyers bring incredible skills in communication, negotiation, and issue-spotting — qualities that businesses need more than ever.”

Supportive Law Schools And Law Firms

Interestingly, ex judicata is receiving strong support from law schools and law firms alike.

• Law Schools: Many have onboarded ex judicata to provide alternative career resources for students. JD-advantage placements also count toward ABA employment metrics, a win-win for schools and graduates.
• Law Firms: Innovative firms with internal outplacement services see value in supporting associates who wish to pivot. This approach keeps alumni in the firm’s ecosystem, creating opportunities for future collaboration.

“By helping lawyers transition successfully, firms actually strengthen their alumni networks and client relationships,” Kimberly noted.

Practical Tips For Lawyers Exploring A Pivot

If you’re thinking about leaving the practice of law, where should you start? Neil and Kimberly shared actionable insights:

1. Take The EXJ Career Match Diagnostic: Pinpoint your strengths and find areas where your JD skills are most valuable.
2. Read Personal Stories: Explore how other lawyers have successfully transitioned into new fields.
3. Ignore The Naysayers: Neil encouraged introspection. “Listen to yourself. Ignore those who say you’re throwing away your degree — it’s your life.”
4. Leverage Resources: Use tools like ex judicata’s job board, coaches, and community events to explore your options.

Building A Community Around Reinvention

The mission of ex judicata extends beyond tools and resources — they’re creating a community. Their WeFunder campaign allows supporters to invest in their mission, fostering a shared vision for reimagining what a legal career can look like.

“Changing someone’s job often changes their life,” Neil reflected. “And that’s what drives us — to help lawyers find careers that bring them fulfillment and joy.”

If you’re ready to explore your options, visit ex judicata and start your journey. Your JD is a passport, not a prison. Where will it take you next?

Olga V. Mack is a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat, Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security, and  Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities. She is working on three books: Visual IQ for Lawyers (ABA 2024), The Rise of Product Lawyers: An Analytical Framework to Systematically Advise Your Clients Throughout the Product Lifecycle (Globe Law and Business 2024), and Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data (Globe Law and Business 2024). You can follow Olga on LinkedIn and Twitter @olgavmack.

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