Even in 2025, as more careers embrace online visibility, the legal industry remains cautious about public-facing social media profiles.
That divide became too stark to ignore for one 23-year-old working in Big Law. After months of posting about her daily routines, outfits, and study tips under her real name, she decided to go anonymous online.
“In the legal industry, the clients at the firm are essential,” Sophie tells PEOPLE exclusively. “It can create conflict with the clients if an individual is not cautious of what they are posting or even promoting on social media.”
Though she's mainly received support from those who discovered her online presence, the risks felt too personal - and too real. “Most are surprised how well I’ve managed to balance everything I do,” she says. “I wanted my social media to show that it’s possible to work a demanding full-time job while pursuing other hobbies and having a work-life balance.”
Sophie — who preferred not to share her last name — has been working in Big Law since July 2024 and says the experience has been “incredible.”
“I wouldn’t say working in this industry has influenced the way I navigate my social media presence because I’ve always been cautious of what I’m posting,” she shares. “The only thing that’s changed is being able to have a different, fuller perspective on what the legal industry is like.”Sophie started sharing content at a young age, long before her corporate job, but began building her audience just last October. “I started posting my journey of ‘getting my spark back,’ which for me consisted of creating a healthy routine, finding my love for fashion, and studying consistently again,” she says.
Her content – equal parts motivational and aesthetic – struck a chord with her followers, but it wasn't something she wanted to pursue full time. “I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was 8 years old, and that’s not going to change,” she says. “Social media is fun and exciting, but law school and being a lawyer are how I feel fulfilled. It’s something I’ve genuinely been passionate about almost my entire life.”
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@motiontostyle
With a legal path in mind, she recently decided to set boundaries with social media, making sure to never reveal her firm or position, and now, even her full name. “I censor certain parts of my content for privacy reasons,” Sophie explains. “However, the personality that you see online is kind of who I am.”
Going anonymous wasn’t about hiding from coworkers. “Despite what a lot of viewers misinterpreted it for, it wasn’t necessarily to prevent my firm or coworkers from finding my social media,” she admits. “I was thinking more about the future... it just felt like an invasion of privacy if I’m easily searchable with that information.”
The final decision came down to online safety and the need to maintain professional relationships with her clients. “I’ve said it on social media before, and I’ll keep saying it, but for me, my job always comes first,” Sophie emphasizes.
When work ramps up, the posts stop. “For me, working in a professional industry and posting on social media is all about knowing what the appropriate space is to share what, and social media just isn’t the appropriate place a lot of times,” she tells PEOPLE.
Still, Sophie believes that future generations of legal professionals may eventually find a path to blending public platforms with private-sector work. “It’s all about finding that balance and being able to build your personal brand around the policies and guidelines of the firm you’re at,” she explains.
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@motiontostyle
With the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) coming up in August and her first law school applications on the horizon, Sophie is focusing more than ever on what comes next. She believes by remaining anonymous online, she will be able to share more of her law school and post-law school journey with her followers.
"I love using social media to document my life as a digital diary, and it’s a way for me to always have memories of my life when I’m older," she says. "How much of my life/work I share will likely depend on which firm I work for, but I’ll be sure to communicate with the firm on their social media policies."
When asked what advice she’d give others trying to navigate similar situations, she says discretion is vital. “It’s important to remember that whether you like it or not, the content you’re posting is a reflection of your immediate circle, whether that’s the people you surround yourself with, your workplace, or your community,” she says.
As for what’s ahead for the legal field, Sophie is optimistic. “We can always use more people sharing their life working in the legal industry and providing different perspectives,” she admits.
“I have younger viewers who see my life and look up to me because they want to be in my shoes someday, just like how I look up to a lot of lawyers I see on social media and hope to be where they are in a few years.”