This.

I do "shitlaw" [apparently] in a small firm where we profit share. My bread and butter is mainly gen lit for SMEs, with a sprinkling of family law when needed. "Shitlaw" is certainly more fulfilling to me than big corp.

I earn less than when i was doing big corp but enough to lead a comfortable life.

I am much happier now. I get off work at a decent hour 99% of the time. My clients aren't assholes. I get to refuse asshole clients by quoting sky-high fees. I never get calls after 6pm, save for the once in a blue moon emergency (one midnight call in the last 3 years).

There is a middle ground for those who want it... It's pride that gets in the way. You shouldn't care what other people think so long as you're happy with the choices you've made. Took me a long time to tune out the white noise. No regrets so far.