Any ex lawyers around?

[usedtobealawyer]

So, I have finally accepted that my legal career is not compatible with my family (city corporate, hours were unpredictable and brutal). But what next?

I've no problem with working normal full time hours. I think I would like to do something for myself, just not sure what!

I've got a good bit of savings behind me but don't want to just stay at home and fester.

Me!! But I'm still festering. Didn't go back after dd1 as partnership would allow me a part time basis of 45 hours a week plus WFH when at home, reduced profit share for my PT hours and PT holidays....

Dd2 is four months old but I'm starting to look at options.

Have income from savings and being paid out partnership for now. Considering holiday type business as very rural and MIL retiring from existing run down cottage business.

Looked at some local authority stuff. Hours better certainly. Considering some home learning courses meantime. I'm miles from anywhere so options limited in terms of lecturing or something like that. To be honest I would do anything rather than go back to that now.

sounds familiar! It's the all encompassing nature of it that doesn't allow you any time to think about what you might rather do. My youngest is 11 months which is what prompted me to sort it out.

I'm thinking of investing in an air b n property as I think I need some relatively passive income but I need to do something else too.

Oh absolutely. Then with baby, lockdown, another baby it's only now I think I'm recovered enough to do so.

I'm also conscious that if I don't find an income stream I will fritter away the money I have quickly and then I'm not sure it will have been worth it!

Yes I'm quite angry with the (male) partnership re this. I always thought my work and investment would lead to a capital payment for me to do something with. For various reasons I won't bore you with I get a monthly amount (first leaving partner ever) and it's being used to live on. I do have savings as well but it's not really the point. A lump sum would have been easier to separate off.

I suppose for me it's been about considering what is needed locally. Teachers are in very short supply but I'm not sure that's for me. Other than that big employers are NHS or local authority. Then it's tourism. DH is a farmer but we rent so not really space for me to do a great deal. I'm very much burying my head at the moment.

Me too. After 3rd baby it was too much. Had a career break and couldn't find anything for a while, which made for difficult times, then managed to get a civil service legal role so still using my knowledge. Pay is not much less than I would have been on had I stayed and not been promoted, but I really like the job. Sometimes get a little frustrated at having no decision making power but largely happy as it leaves energy for family. I do work with a lot of lawyers and thought I might get a bit jealous of women lawyers who seem to have it all together and several young kids but (while I'm sure there are many and hats off to them) I haven't come across one yet...

In-house? Seems the obvious option...

If you have a following, you could look at one of the virtual law firms. It would mean you would WFH, be self-employed and earn a (biggish) percentage of billings, but might require some thought if your mortgage assumes a fixed monthly salary.

Why not work for one of the firms with a self employed, virtual law kind of model? They only accept 10+PQE and you’d have to have a client base, but you can pick your hours and keep most of your earnings without having to worry about the corporate greed of your fellow partners...

Or work in house, or set up on your own, if you’re brave enough.

Lawyers I know who have new careers went into a variety of jobs - HR, life coach(!), legal recruitment, company director.

Personally I wish I’d trained as a graphic designer instead, looks far more fun

Second the in-house comment.

I was a city lawyer, then in house for a major cable TV co and now teaching yoga, pilates and fitness classes. Big change. Hardly any money now but had paid off my mortgage already so can live on my earnings. So so much happier but only have myself to think about no dependants.

What about something like a data protection officer? Business are crying out for them since GDPR