By Were Kelly
At an age when many are settled into retirement, a former high-powered litigator has embarked on a second act, trading courtrooms for a classroom to teach high school ethics and law.
The career pivot, he says, was driven by a search for purpose and a desire to make a more direct impact on the next generation, after burnout from the relentless grind of corporate law.
The 70-year-old, who spent decades navigating complex legal battles for major corporations, now spends his days mentoring teenagers, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. He describes the transition not as a step down, but as a step toward fulfilment.
“The law often felt like a wasteful, adversarial game,” he reflected. “Teaching, however, reignites my passion every single day. Here, I feel I am actually building something positive.”
His students have responded enthusiastically to his real-world experience and unconventional teaching methods, which include mock trials based on current events and deep discussions on moral philosophy.
“He doesn’t just teach us about the law; he teaches us how to think and how to argue with respect and evidence,” one student testified. The story explores the growing phenomenon of career reinvention in later life, challenging traditional notions of retirement.
A gerontologist studying this trend commented, “This isn’t just about staying busy. It’s about a profound shift in what people seek in their post-career lives: authenticity, community, and legacy.
They are leveraging a lifetime of skills for social good, often with incredible results.” The former lawyer’s experience highlights the potential for transferable skills like analysis, negotiation, and public speaking in an educational setting.
With no plans to retire from his new vocation, the teacher hopes his story will inspire others to pursue uncharted paths. His journey stands as a testament to the idea that a fulfilling career is not a linear path but a series of chapters, with the potential for the most rewarding one beginning at seventy.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
