Has anyone retrained to be a solicitor?

[MushroomTree]

I'm considering some different career options and one of them is becoming a solicitor.

Had anyone done it? How did you find it? I'm a single parent to DD who is 2 and a half. Is it the kind of career that's compatible with a child?

Any advice or tips welcome! Thank you

I’m a solicitor working in the City. I would just caution that you should not assume you will be able to get a training contract at the end of your 2 years at Law College. Many of the people I knew at Law College never managed it. It is hugely competitive, even for paralegal jobs (and I know people with excellent academic results who have spent 6 or more years working as paralegals without managing to progress). This is not to put you off, just to say that you need to be realistic and a Plan B wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Thanks @JemimaTab I definitely want realism!

@Trixya I'm considering family law as my job now involves working with a lot of families that are going through court proceedings for one reason or another.

However, insane hours just wouldn't be compatible with my child. Plus I know myself well enough to know I'd find it very disheartening if the outcome wasn't what I thought was right.

I had a situation earlier this year where I had an estate agency threaten me with all sorts and I took them to the cleaners simply by knowing more of the law than they did. That was very satisfying What area of the law do I need to get involved in so I can do that!

I think you shouldn't be dazzled by the numbers, many high street lawyers do not earn high salaries, particularly in criminal, conveyincing and family,

My daughter did her law degree, at a Russel group, came out with a first, is working at a top ten law firm as a paralegal whilst doing her lpc and starts her training contract with one of the really big global ones next summer, the salary is high on qualifying, but even with a first she didn't get a training contract easily, and many of her peers, who also got firsts, have not yet achieved it. It's rejection after rejection.

She didn't go for high street firms as she wanted commercial, but she was very aware the salaries at the high st firms was not high, it was a lot of hours, and the training not always perceived as strong.

I'd really think about this if I was you. You possibly need to do a law conversion course to be a paralegal at least, and considering your lpc. I don't know of any companies that hire paralegals with no legal knowledge and I'm sure if they do, then they probably aren't paying great wages or particularly good firms.

Her salary as a paralegal in her first year, with bonus, was approx 25k, and this her second and final year before moving to a training contract it will be the same, as although she had a large salary increase she won't get her bonus as she will leave before it's due. As you can see from above, some trainee solicitors at high st firms earn not much more than min wage and less than some junior paralegals.

All I can say is watching her progress is it's been a lot of work. This isn't an easy route to take.

Thank you @Bluntness100.

It's frustrating because I'm certainly not afraid of hard work but I have to be realistic about what I can do whilst also having sole responsibility for a small child with very minimal support.

Pre DC I would have definitely done the long hours and years of studying. But it's not something I can afford to commit to if I get part way through and realise I can't juggle study/work and a child.

ExH is a solicitor and talked for years about getting out. He’s been at it a long time and although he’s on a good salary, it certainly not ‘dizzying’. Take another look at salaries and exclude all the big London firms, look at firms where you live and how much they actually pay.

Law is one of those careers people (esp humanities graduates) fall back on, similar to being a teacher, as it seems fairly prestigious and stable and there's a sense it will be rewarding.

The truth is GDL/LPC cost an arm and a leg and there are only training contracts for a small proportion of each year's students - about 3 in 10 when I did mine ten years ago.

Law firms know this, so they keep people as low-paid paralegals, dangling the hope of a training contract. Salary usually below £20k.

It's also fucking miserable. Clients hate paralegals, people assume you're well paid, for the most part it's incredibly dull (like reading electronic manuals dull). Also stressful.

I did it, got a training contract but dropped out because I was miserable. Like you I wanted to do family law but legal aid cuts mean there are no jobs, or if there are they go to experienced people rather than newbies.

If you're determined then do it, and play up the single parent element, but know what you're getting yourself into.

Thanks @Cyclemad222.

A lot of my friends became teachers for the reasons you describe. One had a breakdown, a few do related jobs but don't teach, and some have vowed never to go back full time once they've had children so clearly teaching isn't all it's cracked up to be either!

My biggest concern is embarking down this route, spending huge amounts of money on qualifications and then finding I can't cope with the workload. I certainly haven't got the money to throw away on qualifications I may never use.

Hey OP, are there any law centres near you? You may find a role you can step sideways in one if so (like a grant funded project etc). It's not a particularly good route into the job but there are alternatives to the corporate, sell your soul type legal Jobs and gives you a taste. Legal aid housing law might be just up your street and you can have a very satisfying career with an ILEX qualification.

Thanks @JuniLoolaPalooza . I can look into it. I'm near Southampton so possibly.

Legal aid housing law does sound right up my street. People being screwed over by rogue landlords and lettings agents makes my blood boil so I'd find it very rewarding to be able to help them.

My former assistant, in a publishing/media job and with an English degree, retrained at 30 after a conversion course and has done really well and happily in the housing/benefits law field. Took a cut in salary and took a geographical leap as well to outside London - her life experience and age seemed to count with her when she was applying for a training contract post a conversion course. She was focussed on what she wanted.

My own DD considered a conversion course but had so many horror stories from others about the treadmill that is the big London partnerships.

Hi, I am a family solicitor at a Legal 500 firm and went back to law school at 26. It is an expensive and competitive road but it is possible (although I didn't have a child at the time) .

I absolutely love my job and currently work 4 days a week as I now have a toddler. I generally work 9 to 5, apart from occasional crazy days when I have a big case in court. My salary is significantly higher than average and there is the potential to earn a lot more by making partner/director. I find my job challenging and rewarding.

In your situation, it would probably be worth trying to work in a law firm as a legal secretary or paralegal to make sure its the right environment for you and then try to move up within the firm. Lots of smaller and regional firms are happy to promote within, becoming a legal executive may be the easier and cheaper route over becoming a solicitor. It is a different title but you will be doing the same work as a solicitor although some firms may be snobby about it.

Lots of luck!

I'm
planning on doing ILEX after my second mat leave is over. i have worked as an (unqualified) paralegal and want to scale up. that way i have the option to continue to solicitor status.

@JellyfishAndShells I'm hoping my age and experience is going to work in my favour.

Housing and benefits would be something I'd be very interested in.

Thanks @Villagerlife. That sounds more positive. It's looking like the paralegal route is one to explore rather than leaping straight into a GDL.

This is a vicious circle though, I really think you will need to do some form of training or conversion course to be able to stand a chance of getting any legal job. Without it I can't see how you would stand a chance.

To put it into context, the last time I looked there was abôut 18k law graduates annually, and about 3k training contracts. And competing for those contracts are graduates from previous years, as well as many grads doing conversion courses. So max twenty percent of grads get a training contract. Eighty percent don't. The numbers aren't pretty.

However if you want something bad enough, then you can achieve it. Do a conversion course, start applying for paralegal roles, and work your way from there. Additional qualifications never hurt and will always stand you in good stead.

I’m a lawyer and I’m on the verge of leaving the profession.

I work in a niche area of litigation. Will go through spells of working 8-7 plus weekends, followed by weeks of nothing. It’s a bizarre profession.

Of the people who started at the same time as me, I think about 25% have left so far.

It CAN be enjoyable... but sexism is still rife and it’s not easy with kids. Pay can be great, or shit. Firms, ditto.

Overall I wouldn’t recommend it.

The issue I have is I simply can't afford to do extra qualifications without the guarantee or very high chance of a career at the end of it. And frankly if I could afford to take qualifications essentially for fun then it wouldn't be law I'd choose to study.

Thank you for the advice everyone. Back to the drawing board I think!

I would not bother - It is not worth the hassle or the cost of retraining..

Also you have to be really talented to succeed.

Hi

I'm a lawyer. Just moved in-house from private practice and bloody love it now but have to admit I didn't much enjoy private practice at the end but then I've small kids.

For me it was long hours with no hope of any flexible working arrangement. Clients need you to be available 24/7 - yes really...(my boss told me). To be fair to my boss I did speak with my main client more than my husband.

Getting home from work at midnight doing night feeds then back up at 6am. I felt like I was living in a fog.

A lot of law whether litigation or family can be mundane and slow. You'll start off doing lots of court bundles and bits of research.

To warn you - you are at the beck and call of clients at all days all hours - they'll just go elsewhere is you're not.

You have to time record in practice. 7 chargeable hours a day minimum. Every part of your day is recorded and billed to the client.

Solicitors then need to chase payment from clients too (never realised this was part of the lawyer role).

I worked weekends and late nights with young kids all in the hope of getting an in-house post. I had no work life balance.

It's hopefully paid off now and my god I'm grateful everyday now to get home to my kids at a decent hour.

I worked in the regions which for me meant not a great salary or benefits for the work put in and effort.

@fia101 that sounds hellish and I just couldn't do it. I'm a single parent with little to no support except in emergencies. I certainly couldn't be at anyone's beck and call 24/7.

I'm sure there are plenty of other careers where I'll earn a bit of money and not die of boredom. Law doesn't seem to be a viable option for me.

Have you looked at a legal apprenticeship? You just need 'a' degree for that, not law. Many law firms are offering them now. I think it's about 5 years training on the job before you're a solicitor.

They're really keen to offer alternative ways of qualifying now. I think the super exam comes in next year, or 2021. It's a bit like the American Bar Exam where you can have any degree, but if you pass, you're qualified.

Think outside of the bog standard TC route.

I re-trained and qualified just before I turned 40. I'm 4 PQE this year.

I do still enjoy it and never work more than 8-5. I'm in PI and I enjoy litigation; the cut and thrust is good fun.

I'll probably look to get out when I'm 50 or so. I don't think I want to do it until I retire!

The high salaries are in the City and you earn them!
Dh and I both solicitors and consider we 30 years too late there are far easier and less stressful jobs where you can earn the same or more money

Hi

Wasn't trying to put you off but telling you my true reality of the past few years. Look - other lawyers may have amazing experiences with flexible working and great salary. Don't just listen to one story.

I'm now in a great place. Very family friendly. Flexi time. Decent salary. Weekend and evening work is strongly discouraged.

I agree there are lots of alternatives which I didn't know about when I got into this.

People with degrees who got work as paralegals with local councils (who generally all have legal departments) and the council funded/ loaned money for their conversion course and LPC and gave them a training contract.

Legal executives - I worked with people who had no qualifications and employer paid their exams.

Apprenticeships are a really great initiative too.

Roll on Friday.com is a legal website which may be useful to look at.

My daughters firm has taken a legal apprentice, they are eighteen and earn sixteen grand a year or something, it's very low. I doubt many single parents could live on that, although I guess benefits would make up the difference, the work itself is also very basic.

I think if you could afford to do qualifications for "fun" and wouldn't chose law, then the reality is you're not that interested in it to be fair op.

Not every law firm is the same. You'll possibly get a different apprenticeship in a smaller, regional, firm as they'll need you to be more hands-on from the get go.

And even if it's basic to start with, it'll get more complicated as they gain experience. That's the whole point of the scheme; to get from zero to lawyer in X years.

Also, not everyone is in London, so a lower salary would go further elsewhere too.

But do check the super exam out. It may suit your needs.