Why Not Fitting In Can Be The Key To Success

The legal profession loves to tell us that success requires sacrifice.

Long hours. Billable targets. Proving yourself in rooms where you weren’t invited.

For many of us, we followed the “right” steps:

?? Go to law school

?? Land a firm job

?? Work harder than everyone else

?? Make partner

And then what?

For Elizabeth Garvish, her moment of reckoning came in the form of a performance review—but not the kind she expected.

Sitting in a room with three men in suits, she was handed a paper that read:

“Does not fit in.”

Not because of her work. Not because of her performance. Simply because she wasn’t what they expected.

?? That was the moment she realized she wasn’t failing—she was in the wrong room.

So she left.

And what she built next? It wasn’t just another law firm.

She built a law firm where happiness is the mission. Where lawyers don’t just survive the industry—but thrive.

Today, Garvish Law Group stands as a model for what’s possible when we stop trying to “fit in” and start creating spaces that align with who we are.

The Myth of “Fitting In” & Why It’s Keeping Lawyers Stuck

So many women in law believe that if they just work harder, they’ll be accepted.

They tell themselves:

?? If I put in enough hours, they’ll see my value.

?? If I get better at office politics, they’ll include me.

?? If I make partner, I’ll finally feel like I belong.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to prove yourself to a system that was never built for you.

When Elizabeth walked into that review, she had already proven herself. ? She was a top performer. ? She was bringing in her own clients. ? She was growing a book of business.

And yet, because she didn’t fit the mold, she was boxed out of opportunity.

That wasn’t failure. That was freedom.

That moment gave her the clarity to see what so many of us struggle to recognize:

? If you don’t fit into the system, maybe the system isn’t where you’re meant to be. ?

What If Law Was Built on Love?

The legal profession is notorious for burnout, toxicity, and rigid systems that make lawyers feel like robots instead of people.

Elizabeth set out to change that.

At Garvish Law Group, she built a law firm centered on:

?? Mentorship & Support – Creating an environment where young lawyers are lifted up, not torn down.

?? Flexibility for Women & Mothers – Providing paid maternity leave and a work culture that doesn’t punish women for having families.

?? Practicing Law with Love – Leading with compassion, emotional intelligence, and human connection instead of fear-based lawyering.

Her team doesn’t just work on cases—they create miracles.

She believes that energy, belief, and a mindset shift can change the outcome of a case—because when a legal team operates from hope instead of fear, everything moves differently.

What if success in law wasn’t about survival? What if we actually loved our work, loved our clients, and felt fulfilled in what we do?

This isn’t just a theory. It’s happening.

Elizabeth is living proof that when women take ownership of their careers, rewrite the rules, and build law firms that reflect their values—everything changes.

Your Career. Your Rules.

For too long, women lawyers have been told to play by the old rules.

?? Work twice as hard. ?? Don’t rock the boat. ?? Accept that law is just hard.

But here’s what I want you to take from Elizabeth’s story:

?? You do not have to fit in to succeed. ?? Your happiness is not a luxury—it’s the foundation of a thriving career. ?? You are allowed to build a legal career that actually feels good.

So here’s my question for you:

?? What’s one moment in your career where you realized you needed to redefine success?

And if this conversation spoke to you, you need to listen to this episode of the Powerhouse Lawyers Podcast.

??? Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/powerhouse-lawyers/id1686603658

Here’s to breaking the mold and building careers we actually want to wake up for.

Cheering you on,

Erin

Connect with Elizabeth

Website: https://goimmigrationlaw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/elizabethlagarvish/

About the Author: Erin Gerner is a lawyer turned coach, entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast. She helps female lawyers step into their power, break through limiting beliefs, and build lives they can’t wait to wake up for. Learn more about her coaching programs and schedule an obligation free connection call, connect with her here.