On the latest episode of Outlaws, we speak with Michael Kingsbury, a former M&A lawyer whose story captures what career reinvention can look like when it’s driven by curiosity rather than burnout. Michael didn’t leave law in a blaze of disillusionment. Instead, he gradually realised that while he valued his legal training, he wanted his work to have a more tangible impact on the world.
After time in corporate law and strategy roles, Michael co-founded Uluu, a climate tech startup developing seaweed-based materials designed to replace fossil-fuel plastics. It’s an extraordinary pivot from law to climate entrepreneurship but one that makes more sense the longer you listen.
This episode is a powerful reminder that leaving law doesn’t mean abandoning everything you’ve learned. Michael speaks openly about how legal skills like problem-solving, clear communication, risk analysis and working under pressure have been invaluable in startup life. His journey challenges the idea that alternative legal careers are somehow less than traditional ones. In reality, they often require more creativity, resilience and courage.
We also talk about redesigning work rather than escaping it. Michael didn’t leap blindly into the unknown. He ‘de-risked’ his career change, built financial and professional flexibility, and gave himself what we might call a ‘curiosity runway’. That approach resonates deeply with many professionals seeking career freedom and who want change, without necessarily blowing up their lives.
