I think legal aid is a good place to start to reenter the job market. How about possibly even a public defender's office with the criminal background? My first job was in a housing crisis center where I fought off evictions. From there I moved to legal aid and did all manner of civil cases. From there I pursued additional education and a specialty bar and have practiced in this area for 17 years.
With good research and writing skills another avenue is to hire yourself out to a virtual firm that backs up people when the workload gets too heavy. I have a friend in FL with her own practice desperate for help with a heavy case load and no way to get back up. These types of folks exist all over the country.
Have you joined the local bar in the area where you reside? Have you tried to visit the career offices at any local law schools. Have you put a posting on FB letting all of your friends and connections know you are seeking employment?
Having put my H through med school and doing everything to help him get there and handling everything at home from day one, I get it. I get the anger and resentment. The problem, I don't think they are helping you move forward.
Either alternative is equally painful: either he has always been this person and never loved you and was only using you (and everybody else) or he did and in the face of that threw you, your children, and your life away. I totally get how awful that is.
But, I'm beginning to feel some of that freedom that I see people like Pax, KML, Ciluzen and Ginger describe. I'm realizing how nice it is not to have to "discuss" things with him or get his "approval". How pleasant it is not to have someone tearing me apart every day.
I don't know about you, maybe it is different for you, but I read the accounts of people opining the absence of their dearly beloved. Maybe my mind is playing tricks to help me get through this, but I don't have any of those times. I think mine is right. I think we both settled with the other and were young and stupid. I think we pushed each other professionally and made lots of sacrifices together, but we lead completely different interior lives the whole time. I am not sure I have ever loved or been loved. I'm not entirely sure that I view that as a tragedy. I love my kids fiercely, I am a really good friend, and I have accomplished everything and more that I ever hoped professionally. I guess I'm saying I don't see much to look back for and the road ahead looks pretty darn good to me. I think you will see that when you get out of GDC (??) and find a job.
