I met Haley through my older sister, who knew her from college. After a few back-and-forth texts, we finally found time to meet for a quick coffee chat at La Boulangerie during her lunch break. Over pastries and coffee, she told me about her journey from Big Law in Palo Alto to her current role as a transactional attorney at a firm in Fresno. What started as a casual conversation quickly became one of the most insightful talks I’ve had about work–life balance, career decisions, and what it truly means to practice law.

After graduating from Santa Clara Law, Haley began her career at a Big Law firm in Palo Alto, where she had also interned during her second summer of law school. It was exactly what you imagine when you think of Big Law—fast-paced, high pressure, and full of ambitious people moving at full speed. “It was exciting,” she said, “but it demanded everything.” The long hours eventually caught up with her.

One story she shared stuck with me: she carried two phones, one personal and one for work. One night, after finishing her tasks, she stepped out to grab a late dinner and left her work phone at home. In that short window, something urgent came up, and she missed several calls from senior partners. That moment shifted her perspective. She realized she couldn’t even step out for pizza without worrying. “You have to be ready to sacrifice time,” she said. “If you want to succeed in Big Law, it takes total commitment.”

Eventually, she decided to trade the Bay Area’s high-intensity lifestyle for something more balanced. She moved back to Fresno, where she grew up, and joined a firm there as a transactional attorney. “The workload’s still demanding,” she told me, “but I can have a life outside of work.”

Now, her work revolves around corporate bylaws, lease contracts, and business transactions. She works closely with a team of associates and partners, emphasizing how essential collaboration is in law. Hearing her describe her day-to-day helped me understand something important: law isn’t just one thing. It’s a field filled with countless paths, each shaped by what you value most.

Haley also shared advice for students considering law. She studied at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to Santa Clara, and she emphasized that prestige isn’t everything. “Most firms care more about your work ethic, grades, and experience than the name on your degree,” she explained. She also highlighted how networking and alumni connections play a bigger role in hiring than most people realize.

She told me about her time interning at the District Attorney’s office, describing it as “not the most fun, but incredibly valuable.” It taught her some of her most important skills: communication, patience, and teamwork.

My biggest takeaway from our conversation was that law, like life, is ultimately about balance. Big Law can be thrilling and rewarding, but it comes with trade-offs. Smaller or regional firms might not have the same prestige, but they can offer stability, fulfillment, and room to grow personally.

Haley reminded me that there’s no single definition of success in law. Success is finding an environment that aligns with your values. For me, that realization made the legal field feel even more exciting—and I hope it sparks the same curiosity in you, too.