How do people get a new job after having a bad relationship with their former manager/boss?

Specifically talking about jobs that require referees. I'm a lawyer and have been wanting to leave my workplace for a quite a while. I have been putting up with the abusive culture for a long time because most jobs in my profession require referees. My boss is quite vindictive, I doubt he would give me a good reference. Has anyone had negative/positive experiences in the same situation?