You can try private law, but (much like law school), it's very easy to get trapped. The money is so much that you can easily rationalize staying for another 6 months, and another 6 months, etc.

I know you've had bad experiences in the gub-mint -- I think you'll have worse experiences in private law, but for different reasons.

Basically, working in big law involves a delicate social dance. People are as manipulative (or more) in biglaw as they are in the gub-mint, but I think they're smarter and more subtle about it. I get played for a fool regularly, and I just have to stomach it and move on.

Also, biggest difference between private and government. You really have little control over your schedule, and you have to accept that. You will regularly have weekend or evening plans, and then have to cancel at the last minute. Eventually, you just give up on making plans -- it's easier and less stressful that way.

I think private law can best be explained as a repeat of the law school experience, except that you don't get to pick the courses you take, and final exams happen at unexpected times.

Also, I think biglaw is less a case of "am I good enough" and more a matter of "am I tolerant enough."