What happens when high-performing attorneys step away from the burnout, bureaucracy, and rigid structures of BigLaw? For Heather, Jamie, and Scott, the answer is clear: more freedom, more fulfillment, and a better way to practice law.
What happens when high-performing attorneys step away from the burnout, bureaucracy, and rigid structures of BigLaw? For Heather, Jamie, and Scott, the answer is clear: more freedom, more fulfillment, and a better way to practice law.
In the legal world, success often comes at a steep cost: endless hours, limited autonomy, and the feeling that someone else is steering your career. For many attorneys in BigLaw or traditional in-house roles, burnout isn’t a phase—it’s the norm.
But there’s a growing shift. Attorneys who once thrived in legacy firms are choosing a new path—one that values performance without sacrificing well-being.
At Scale LLP, we’re proud to be the firm where that transition happens. Three attorneys left the traditional track—and found more than just balance. At Scale LLP, they discovered a way to lead thriving practices without sacrificing personal freedom.
So what does life actually look like beyond BigLaw? For these attorneys, it’s a step into ownership.
As a finance and tech attorney working in male-dominated industries, Heather Cattina knew the stakes were high. In BigLaw, her advancement was tied to someone else's origination metrics. In-house, her legal priorities often took a backseat to shifting business goals.
“At a BigLaw firm, I felt reliant on an equity partner to bring in work. At an in-house position, I felt subject to the whim of business priorities,” Heather shared. “At Scale, I get to decide how to value my time. I now don't need to wait for someone else to give me a path—I create my own path.”
Today, Heather isn’t just building her own book—she’s helping others do the same. As part of Scale’s leadership team, she mentors attorneys (especially women) who are ready to lead but unsure how to start. Her client service has only sharpened, because her structure finally supports the high-quality, responsive practice she’s always delivered.
“One of the best compliments is when former colleagues say I seem much happier now. I’m no longer waiting for someone to come around and promote me. If I want a raise, I give myself a raise.”
At Scale, she’s doing the work she loves—with the ownership she always deserved.
Jamie Wells had made partner at a national firm and built a successful litigation practice. But behind the scenes, she was sacrificing personal time and agency and constantly trading personal time for professional demands.
“A lot of times, success was, how many hours can you bill? But I started asking myself: is this how I want to live every day for the rest of my life?” Jamie said. “For me, success is working with a great team, delivering the best service to clients, and doing things that make you happy.”
Joining Scale didn’t mean stepping away from high-stakes advocacy. It meant stepping into a structure that let her prioritize excellence—without the exhaustion. She now chooses her clients, sets her rates, and builds partnerships across practice groups in a supportive, non-hierarchical environment.
“Coming to Scale has been, truthfully, the best decision I ever made. You can have a really successful career and a successful personal life.”
She’s not just practicing law—she’s enjoying it again.
After nearly two decades in-house, Scott had seen it all: global resort development, strategic M&A, and even shepherding a company through bankruptcy after a private equity takeover. The experience was formative—but it also made him pause and reconsider what came next, and Scott was ready for change. He wanted more flexibility, more entrepreneurship—and a way to integrate work with life in a more meaningful way.
“I was trying to figure out how I could pursue startups and work with founders, while maintaining my existing practice. Scale was a perfect fit,” Scott explained. “It lets us develop the practice we want that works for us—not only professionally, but personally.”
Scale was the rare structure that made room for both. Today, Scott practices out of Denver, working with clients that energize him while still making time for family and friends. His work is strategic and impactful—and built around his values. He’s found community, client impact, and more time for the things that matter most.
“I have the luxury of choosing work that’s lucrative for the soul as well as the pocketbook. I also have more time to be a better husband, father, and friend.”
At Scale, Scott isn’t just advising growth-stage companies—he’s living proof that attorneys can grow, too.
Each of these attorneys had a strong practice before Scale—but not a structure that honored their autonomy or supported long-term sustainability. That changed when they joined a firm designed for modern legal careers.
At Scale LLP, attorneys:
Our model isn’t a compromise—it’s a redefinition. It’s the freedom to build something meaningful, with the support to make it last.
If you’re burned out, craving control, or simply wondering what else is out there, take it from Heather, Jamie, and Scott: there’s a better way to practice law.
Download our free resource:
BigLaw Exit Guide: How to Leave a Top Firm With Confidence
Because life is too short to wait for someone else to write your next chapter.
