Advice wanted from City lawyer mums

Are you thinking about your partnership prospects? - if so, about 10 years ago my bossy (female, mother, partner) supervisor told me the sharpest route is "make partner first, then [implication: asap - get pregnant the next week] have your children". Worked for her. You're young enough, yet PQE enough, to consider that route.

But, separately, you may be doubting the partnership commitment thing. That's another issue and probably would mean different suggestions.

Hi Gangle. I'm not a lawyer but have a legal-type job. My comment would (possibly unhelpfully) be "there's never a right time". There will always be some reason why you might defer having a child. And working whilst having a small child will be jolly hard whatever your circumstances. So I would say - if you feel you want to do so now (which I think from your post that you do), then go for it. Everything else will work out around that. Somehow...

And of course - good luck!

Not sure this is what you want to hear, but in case my story helps....

I worked for a magic circle firm for 6 years then transferred to a bank for much the same hours but a better, more senior job. I thought I enjoyed the job and was convinced I would return to work after approx 6 months of maternity leave. But, within a day of having my lovely daughter last October I decided that returning to work wasn't for me, as I wanted to spend my time with my DD not commuting, working long hours and dealing with poxy clients all day.

This has meant a huge change to our lifestyle, we are downsizing etc but I have massive support from my husband and family in my choice. I am really lucky in being able to make this choice and not return to work now, and cannot imagine going back to work in the city. Having not been to London for 6 months it seems like a distant bad dream and so not what I want to do with the rest of my life. We are going to start our own business this year to make up for the lack of pension etc, but I will be a full time mum nevertheless. I never knew I would enjoy motherhood so much as I do, should have done this years ago

Gangle ? I am a lawyer too but not in the same City, I?m a Scots lawyer I am 8 years PQE. I got married last June and we have been trying ever since. We got pregnant in Jan only to lose the baby at 10 weeks. We?re both 33. My advice to your first question is not to leave it if you want a baby, you just don?t know how long it will take so be prepared either way.

I started a new job on 11/12 and got my BFP on 29/1, so ironic after months of trying!! Because things started to go wrong I had to tell work just at the point when my boss resigned and a massive opportunity arose for me. I had hoped to leave it a lot longer. The firm has been excellent; I have been so pleasantly surprised. It has not affected their perception of me in the slightest. I think they expected me to want a baby soon.

I am normally the most enthusiastic and motivated lawyer about but this experience has made me reconsider my priorities and family has to come first. Since My MC I?ve been cruising at work a bit, it has been such a difficult time.

I recognize that I am very lucky to work for a firm that believes in families.

My advice would be to go for it. Good luck!