The legal profession is undergoing one of its most significant cultural shifts in decades. Increasingly, lawyers are choosing non-traditional paths—moving into in-house roles, legal-adjacent sectors, alternative and flexible practice models at a pace that would have been unthinkable when Caravel first began on this journey 20 years ago. 

More than one-third of 2023 law grads pursued careers outside private practice, according to data cited by The National Magazine by CBA (The National). A multi-decade study of Ontario lawyers revealed a steady outflow from private firms into government and in-house roles, even among lawyers already on the partnership track. 

What’s driving it? A desire for meaningful work, more autonomy, healthier cultures, and greater alignment between personal values and professional identity. Against this backdrop, stories like Ashleigh Frankel’s don’t just resonate they illustrate a larger pattern taking root across the profession. 

Early Inspirations and a Traditional Start 

Ashleigh grew up surrounded by the profession. 

With a family of lawyers and a father deeply committed to his practice, her interest in law was sparked early. She imagined a future in advocacy, perhaps human rights or supporting women and children, before ultimately articling and joining a large national firm. 

While Ashleigh didn’t land in Human Rights & Advocacy in her formal practice, advocacy for herself and fellow lawyers within the space remained a key part of her career trajectory. While Ashleigh valued the exposure she was getting from the wide variety of practice groups Big Law provided her in her early career, developing a solid foundation as a lawyer, when it came time to settle into her career, Ashleigh felt like something was missing.  

Q: When did things start to shift for you? 

A: “I realized within my first year that it wasn’t the best long-term fit for me… after a sabbatical in Thailand, I moved to a smaller Bay Street firm that specialized in securities and corporate/commercial law.” 

In Big Law, Ashleigh found excellent mentors and a supportive environment which included senior women who modeled fulfilling, sustainable careers. What she enjoyed was the people. What she struggled with was the structure. 

A: “I was curious about how we could practice law differently, in a way that allowed us to bring our whole selves into the profession without compromising well-being… I started exploring models other than the billable hour when I was in my second year of practice… Roughly 15 years ago I started exploring ways to help women in law maintain both meaningful practice and flexibility. A few of us had started a small collective of freelance lawyers, and through that journey, I was introduced to Caravel.” 

Her observations mirror national findings: even lawyers who thrive in private practice report pressure tied to billable hours, limited flexibility, and a culture that can feel rigid. Burnout remains highest among private-practice lawyers, disproportionately affecting women and racialized lawyers. 

Stepping Away to Find a Way Back 

At one point, Ashleigh paused her legal practice entirely to focus on raising her three children and building Wise Leadership Labs, an initiative focused on helping individuals and teams thrive. 

Distance brought clarity. She began to imagine returning to law, but only in a way that aligned with how she now wanted to work. 

Q: What changed that you felt ready to return to practicing law?  

A: “The desire to return to law in a flexible way was a surprise to me… I think that perhaps I had to step away to cultivate the inner resources and perspective to practice law in a healthier, more grounded way than I did at the start of my career.” 

When she was ready to re-enter the profession, Ashleigh knew the “traditional” path no longer fit the life she had rebuilt. 

Q: What did your practice look like before and after this leave?  

A: “I was offering contract legal services… I loved the flexibility and autonomy but I missed being part of something bigger. When I was ready to come back, I knew Caravel was where I wanted to be because here you can have both independence and belonging.” 

Finding Alignment Through Flexibility 

Once at Caravel, one aspect stood out to Ashleigh immediately: meaningful autonomy. 

Q: What differences did you notice as you settled in at Caravel?

A: “The biggest difference is autonomy and the way the entrepreneurial spirit is valued… flexibility isn’t about working less, it’s about choosing work that genuinely resonates… Working within Caravel’s model has really played to my strengths. I don’t have to focus on business development or finding clients on my own, which means I can dedicate my energy to building strong relationships and delivering great work. It’s also allowed me to stay well-resourced and enjoy the practice more fully.” 

She describes energizing engagements, a diversity of corporate cultures, the ability to shape her own schedule, and the freedom to focus on the work she finds rewarding. One highlight: her work with a major Canadian transportation company, a space where she’s found the collaborative team spirit she’d been craving.  

A: “They have exceptional leadership on our legal team and an incredibly connected team culture. There’s genuine psychological safety, which allows for learning and collaboration. Reconnecting with a former colleague from my Big Law days has made the experience even more special.” 

Ashleigh notes that Caravel’s community is built on non-traditional paths, lawyers who have arrived through winding journeys, each bringing a different strength. 

A: “Caravel celebrates non-linear paths and entrepreneurial spirits… It’s possible to succeed in support of ourselves, not at the expense of ourselves.” 

Her experience mirrors a nationwide shift toward models that value individuality, flexibility, and sustainability. 

Advice for the Next Generation 

The legal profession is in a moment of reinvention. Stories like Ashleigh’s, alongside national data, make one thing clear: lawyers want more autonomy, more balance, and more meaning and they’re increasingly willing to build careers that reflect that. Traditional paths will always have their place, but the future of law will be shaped by those willing to imagine new ways of practicing. 

Q: What would you tell your peers sitting at a similar crossroads?

A: “Get really clear on what truly matters to you… Alternative paths can allow you to practice law in a way that fits with what matters most. Clients benefit from this model because it gives them the same flexibility it gives lawyers. They can bring in legal support exactly when they need it—without carrying overhead during quieter times. The flexibility that supports us as lawyers ultimately benefits clients too. Happy lawyers make for happy clients.” 

It’s advice that aligns with the profession’s changing landscape. As The National article concludes, the culture of law is changing—slowly, but meaningfully—toward the idea that a legal career is no longer a one-way ticket, but a passport to many destinations. 

If you’re rethinking what your legal career could look like, let’s talk.