Former Lawyer Celebrates Release of First Novel

Former lawyer, Julie Buxbaum, talks to Law and More about quitting the legal world and writing her first book..

As a young child, Julie Buxbaum dreamed of being the first woman Chief Justice. But as her career as a lawyer progressed, she found herself becoming more and more bored and dreading Monday mornings. She realised it was time to make a drastic change and did what so many of us only dream of doing – she quit her job and started again…

Julie and the Law

“My career started at a large law firm in New York before I was transferred to LA where I got to work on huge corporate litigation cases. I loved legal theory and the brainstorming about potential arguments involved in defending against a lawsuit, and I met some fascinating and brilliant people. I eventually switched to working at a smaller firm and, contrary to public belief, I found that I encountered mostly kind and interesting people in the legal world, and for the most part, enjoyed everyone I worked with.

“However, the lows of life as a lawyer were becoming hard to ignore: the tedious nature of document-review, pulling all-nighters and cancelling weekend plans on a regular basis. I disliked the inefficiency involved in the litigation process and the inherent pettiness that comes with a system that leaves rooms for tactical delays.

“The job was leaving me feeling unfilled and bored, and I didn’t want to spend 90% of my waking hours that way. And to be honest, I was never a big fan of the business suit. I find I am much more productive in my pyjamas!”

Julie and Writing

“I had always dreamed of one day writing a novel but being a novelist seemed like a very unrealistic career goal. I’ve always been an avid reader but I never thought it was possible to turn a hobby into a real grown-up job.

“But when I finally couldn’t take another day as a litigator, I realised that I was too young to compromise my professional life. I didn’t have a mortgage or kids or any real responsibility that was stopping me from taking the leap. The only thing that was holding me back was the fear of failure, which sounded a lot like an excuse so I quit and started working on “The Opposite of Love. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

“Every book I have ever read has in some way made me a better writer, and I managed to internalise the art and craft of the novel form by reading critically and widely. With “The Opposite of Love” I worked backwards. I started thematically, because I knew I wanted to explore the consequences of delaying grief. From this idea sprung my main character, Emily Haxby. Once I fully understood her strengths, faults, motivations etc; once I could picture her as living, breathing person in the world, the plot unfolded from there.”

Julie and the Future

“I am about two thirds of the way through a rough draft of my second novel and I am having a lot of fun with it. There are some days when I cannot write no matter how long I sit in front of my laptop, and on those days I try and give my brain a break. I’ll read a book instead or go to the movies. But I try not to let that happen two days in a row because then I start getting nervous!

“Since leaving the law my day to day life has changed dramatically, as has my skill set. I use a completely different part of my brain now, and I wonder if I had to go back to drafting motions, if those skills have atrophied. I love what I do now and most of the time I look to forward to Monday mornings. I haven’t worn a business suit in two years and I am my own boss, which comes with its own unique challenges and pleasures.

“I have no regrets and I hope to keep on writing and keep on dreaming big.”

“The Opposite of Love” covers some fiercely topical issues – maternal loss, identity, work, relationships, and commitment – in a clever, funny and deeply moving way. It marks the debut of a new voice in contemporary women’s fiction which captures those readers who are looking for that elusive halfway house between chick-lit and more serious fiction.

“The Opposite of Love" is out now priced £10.99 and available from leading book stores.