Redefining Success: Letting Go of the Legal Checklist
‘Get the grades. Land the clerkship. Secure the job.’
It’s the unofficial checklist handed to law students from day one. At first, it feels like a helpful guide, a clear route through a competitive and complex profession. But somewhere along the way, it becomes more than just a roadmap - it turns into a silent benchmark for success.
The checklist isn't inherently wrong. For some, it’s exactly the path they want to follow. But what if your journey doesn’t follow that checklist? And what if that’s not only okay, but actually better?
The Checklist Mentality
In the early stages of studying law, it’s easy to fall into the belief that there’s a "right" way to succeed. High distinctions, polished LinkedIn profiles, strategic networking, and eventually, a role at a prestigious firm. It’s a narrative that’s repeated so often, it starts to seem like the only option.
And so, a lot of students throw themselves into it. They join societies, go to networking nights, sign up for every opportunity that comes their way. And in many ways, that’s great - it builds confidence, connection, and skills. But if there’s no time to stop and ask why they’re doing it, that kind of ambition can start to feel hollow. It can become about keeping up, rather than moving forward with purpose. It’s easy for the original reasons for choosing law to fade beneath the weight of expectations and quiet comparison.
The Cost of a Narrow Definition
Law school is demanding. But when success is framed so narrowly, there’s little space left for difference. Certain roles, typically corporate or commercial law careers, are seen as the gold standard. Other options such as community work, government or policy get mentioned, but often as “alternatives,” as if they’re what you settle for if things don’t go to plan.
But the reality is, law opens up a wide range of possibilities. Graduates work in social justice, environmental advocacy, tech, media, education, and many leave law altogether, using their law knowledge in completely different fields. The truth is, law is not a single path. Nor should it be.
Mental Health
Success that demands the sacrifice of well-being is not true success. If the path forward brings constant anxiety or persistent self-doubt, the issue is your ‘narrow’ definition of success. Protecting your mental wellbeing, whether that means taking breaks or simply giving yourself permission to rest, is important. Staying grounded, making time for things outside of law, and staying connected to who you are beyond your CV are necessary. A meaningful career is one that supports your wellbeing, not one that constantly drains it.
Final Thoughts
We’ve all decided to study law for different reasons. And because of that, success should never be one-size-fits-all.
For some, it might mean building a career at a commercial firm. For others, it’s about shaping policy, working in public interest, teaching, or using legal skills in entirely different fields. Each of these paths is valid, and none is more “real” or “successful” than another.
Instead of measuring success by comparison, it’s worth taking a step back and asking:
What kind of lawyer do I want to become?
What kind of life do I want to lead?
What truly matters to me, and how can I build a career around that?
You don’t have to follow someone else’s version of success to build a meaningful career. You just have to be willing to define it for yourself, and be brave enough to change it when it no longer fits.
Written by Sana Sharma