WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM HOWARD TULLMAN?

Despite Howard's ultimate financial success, his experience points out the fact that any lawyer contemplating leaving the profession should be ready to accept the changes that may occur. Self-worth, ego, and prestige may suffer. Lifestyles may have to change, or spending habits be altered. Instead of steady, upward mobility which lawyers have enjoyed in the past, there may be glitches and steps backwards as well as forward. Also, leaving the law takes courage. As Howard says, "Be sure it's the profession you want to leave, not the law firm you're, in or the kind of work you do." Sometimes, unhappiness is not with the law per se, but rather with intra-firm politics or power struggles.
Take a year or so to plan your new career, and gear up for the changes which may occur in your life. This time may be used for researching a new field, stockpiling funds to see you through, or locating partners, technicians, marketing advisors, and others to help you or, perhaps, share the risk.
It's a big decision. Use your basic intelligence and analytical talents to do the transition correctly.