Ida Abbott, a retirement strategist, author, and expert on lawyers' careers, applauds the many benefits to retired attorneys of volunteering with the Attorney Emeritus Program (AEP). Her admiration for the AEP stems from her work helping lawyers prepare for and transition into retirement. Ms. Abbott spent 20 years as a practicing lawyer, then started a second career as a consultant specializing in legal talent management, especially lawyers' professional development. In recent years, many of her clients began to ask for help figuring out "what's next" when they faced the prospect of retirement after long and successful careers. So Ms. Abbott shifted her focus to supporting attorneys in finding post-career meaning and fulfillment. This has involved changing their perception of retirement. For many lawyers, this means continuing to do legal work through legal advocacy, pro bono representation, or community service.
Ms. Abbott's book, Retirement by Design, is a self-help resource for attorneys looking to retire or already in retirement. They help attorneys design future lives that will bring them happiness and meaning. Among the most important elements in such lives are social engagement, intellectual stimulation, and a sense of purpose - all of which can be found in volunteer work. Practicing lawyers who anticipate retiring but want to continue practicing in some capacity when they retire, can explore possibilities and "plant seeds" for the future by doing pro bono work or volunteering with the AEP, legal service organizations, nonprofits or community service agencies. Their experience can give them a better sense of what they want to do when they retire, create useful relationships and contacts, and give them something to look forward to when the time for retirement comes. When retired lawyers do volunteer their services, they benefit the community while fulfilling their own well-being.
Learn more about Ida's work through her website (Click Here) and check out an article she wrote for the American Bar Association on the benefits of retirement. (Click Here)
