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Conveyancing solicitor back to work after 6 years

8 replies

thelionsleeps · 24/09/2017 13:25

Looking for any advice! I gave up work for a while when my eldest was born and we then had twins which really scuppered any plans to go back sooner.

My plan is to try and get some sort of legal work rather than something completely different. I am looking at doing some voluntary work when the twins start nursery so I don't have a big gap on my cv. I was thinking cab as we have a few branches nearby that always seem to have advisor vacancies. There are also some interesting volunteer roles with the local trading standards office and the police that I thought may be useful.

My plan is to try and go back as a legal assistant so pretty poorly paid but hoping to get my foot in the door, get some up to date experience and hope that if it all goes well a firm may look to let me be a fee earner again. Is anyone a conveyancer - would you be at all interested in interviewing someone with a 6 year gap?

I will go on the law society returner to work course a little closer to the time which seems to have good reviews. I will also do some conveyancing courses to try and brush up my knowledge. I have already signed up for updates generally and have started to brush up on my reading etc.

Does anyone have any advice or other suggestions? I did wonder if it was worth doing an accountancy course to brush up my skills and again have something else to show on my cv.

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RippleEffects · 24/09/2017 13:35

I'm not from your field but don't understand why you're setting your sights so low. I could understand if you've had lots of knock backs or there are no job opportunities at all in your area - but you don't mention that.

Are you able to get refferences from your previous employer? Is it in the same (geographic and professional) area as you are/ want to be now?

Are there networking oportunities near you i.e. local chamber of commerce business breakfasts. Do you belong to a professional body with events that you could throw yourself into attending?

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thelionsleeps · 24/09/2017 13:40

Maybe I am setting my sights low but I am not sure if I could realistically step straight back into a conveyancing fee earning role with such a big gap! Hoping a legal assistant job would not be for long. It may be that I do apply for fee earning roles when I return but I am trying to get a feel if that is realistic.

From speaking to friends in the same field I know conveyancing has not changed that much since I have been out of the game. I am sure I would get a couple of good references from previous employers. Thanks

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thelionsleeps · 28/09/2017 20:04

Bump

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Owlettecatboy · 28/09/2017 20:06

I'm a solicitor too but in a different field. I agree with the other posters. Don't set your sights too low. I can't see why you wouldn't be suitable for a solicitor role with your experience.

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Allthebestnamesareused · 28/09/2017 20:08

I would have thought that conveyancing is probably one of the areas of law where you can pretty much go straight back in where you left off even after 6 years and even in a part time role.

which area of the country are you in?

(Comm Lit Solicitor here!)

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2017RedBlue · 28/09/2017 20:11

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

user1491508013 · 28/09/2017 20:14

I agree you should definitely be able to go back into a solicitor role

If it helps you could see if you could be eased into a new position with supervision for the first few months whilst you find your feet?

Don't sell yourself short though- a man in your position would 100% go for a solicitor role!!

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fucksakefay · 28/09/2017 20:14

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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