Lawyer quits law to become restaurant server
As a 3L, Claire Gregory had visions of a happy future that included a career in the legal space. At age 28, while practicing entertainment law, she pivoted to another space where she’d previously worked in college that had brought her happiness: hospitality. (Photo by Maria Korneeva/Getty Images)
As a 3L, Claire Gregory had visions of a happy future that included a career in the legal space. At age 28, while practicing entertainment law, she pivoted to another space where she’d previously worked in college that had brought her happiness: hospitality.
Gregory, who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, initially entered law after hearing about the Central Park Five case in New York City, which led her to the University of Miami School of Law to earn her JD and an LLM in sports and law. She graduated in 2024, but she stepped away from law and into the restaurant business.
“[In the legal world] I felt like I was forcing everything and constantly met with closed doors,” Gregory told People. “But then there was bartending and serving, which felt fun, freeing and I was happy, so I reminded myself that the best things happen when I live in that state, and that helped me make the transition with confidence.”
She’s helped open a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has relocated. And she still has two bar licenses—from Florida and Virginia—if she plans to return to practicing law.
“I have skills and options, and I know that. That safety net actually gave me the freedom to take the risk, knowing I could go back if I needed to, made it a lot easier to walk away,” she told People.
@annaclairegregory actually begging you to allow yourself to slow down, be grateful, and breathe sister!!! you are so much more than what you've accomplished on paper, your career, the material things you have, or how hard you work yourself. #figuringitout #career #bigsister #fyp #universe ♬ original sound - claire
Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.
