Qualified as a solicitor, feeling let down

[Coffeetree]

I just qualified as a solicitor and although I love the area I work in I'm really feeling exhausted and let down.

I really am grateful that my firm sponsored me in a training contract and have now given me a raise to their standard newly qualified rate of £27000 pa. Except now they're hustling me into a leadership role with a lot of middle-management bullshit and oh could I do the billing now and the audit prep.. But for no extra money.

I'm 50 and I know I should have the negotiation skills to deal with this and get a raise but the truth is I'm still trying to sort of inhabit the role. I was a paralegal for many many years and although I did well in law school I am still seeing myself as a junior.

Also the worklife balance sucks if you want to deliver quality work for clients. I go to court regularly and I have a good reputation for winning appeals but that's because I prepare more than anyone else.

I guess I have the standing now to push back but that's a new feeling for me. I'm still in "proving myself" mode and trying to get a mindset shift.

Anyone know what I'm talking abou? Any tips?

I'm trying to think whether there are some perks I could ask for to make it worthwhile like working from home or whatever. But bottom line it would be mad to change firms for 1k more per year.

I agree, they seem a tad stingy!

Great update, and glad to hear that you’ve had a successful interview, but your instinct on moving for a £1k increase sounds right.

I think your expectation - £32k was really sensible (in that I’d probably want £5k to move).

I'd just start with resentment tbh.

Are there any benefits that might make it worthwhile? Profit-sharing? I don't know.

It's funny but this is the first time I've really negotiated salary like this. Of course you want to keep emotions out of it, but being low balled like that. Damn.

I'm actually feeling weirdly upset. Fancy coming back to me saying "We want to pay you 4k less than what you asked and we want to make sure you'll stay long term".

I would have expected something more like, "We don't have the budget for that salary but could we look at consultancy or..."

I’m not sure many NQs would be offered consultancy? Maybe keep looking, you’ve only just started looking.

Take the positive from this, the definitely wanted you.

But moving for one thousand isn't worth your while.

Continue looking and congratulations on the offer, even if you don't wish to accept.

Yes I agree - definitely not worth moving for £1k more.
But we'll done for the offer - keep looking. Are you crim or family? Huge demand for care lawyers in most local authorities and agency rates around £50/hr in my area as a possible alternative?

100% consider counter offers. Sometimes your existing firm just needs you to point out that you know your value. You are a commodity after all and ultimately they will pay what is needed if you are as good as you think! High street always ran on a 1/3 basis ie one third salary, one third costs and one third profit. Bigger firms these days are running more like 1/6 salary (but costs including insurance and premises have gone up loads).

I think it's a bit ridiculous to think you could be a consultant whilst nq. In your position I would more be looking at finding a department that is excellent in your field rather than worrying too much about the money. Much easier to build a name for yourself and the money will then just flow although I'm shocked at how low non corporate pays. I'm over 20 yrs qualified (commercial though) and still bounce ideas off of others all the time.

Thanks that's really good advice.

OP I can’t remember seeing what it is you specialise in, but i think it was either criminal or family work based on the legal aid comments. If criminal would you consider a move into a related but more commercial field like Health and safety regulatory defence work? That will inevitably pay much better and the teams will sit within large commercial firms.

Just an update if anyone's interested. I have a fair amount of interest from recruiters but nothing I'm super thrilled about yet.

We're meant to be preparing for big audit and court cases lately and we had a couple of major hiccups, both from people on my team failing meet a deadline. Unfortunately neither of them warned me of problems until too late and I assumed things were in hand because they're usually reliable.

That plus the problem performer being herself again got the attention of management. The branch manager said, "They just ignored what you asked them to do. It's like they don't respect your role!"

So that was a good opportunity for me to say it might be because the firm doesn't really recognise my role. I asked for a job description and a 20% raise. She said she'd bring it up with the directors.

So maybe I can stay after all? I hope so. I'm not sure if I overshot.

Just wanted to say good luck OP and I hope you get the recognition you deserve! Hopefully they will respect you for being a baller and asking for what you want. If it doesn’t work out then just keep looking.

The legal sector is a real battle for recognition outside of the partnership but the market is good at the moment so if this doesn’t work out then I hope something exciting comes along soon! 🤞

Wow. Well done

Let us know what happens!

Love an on-going thread. Thanks op. Fingers crossed for you but sounds like you’ve upped your game so luck not required!

I think it's true though, if the directors can't decide whether I'm management or not, naturally people are going to be unclear about my standing.

Well done OP for putting yourself out there!
I definitely wouldn't take a new job for £1k more, it has to be more than worth your while.

The right job and salary is out there for you. Your experience will stand you in good stead and you've a lot to offer.

As an aside, i have mentioned previously that I am a PA in a law fim to an equity partner, senior associate and solicitor, and I earn slightly more than £28k. Don't sell yourself short you will be an amazing asset to a law firm x

Tbh I'm having a bad day which might not be a bad thing in terms of negotiating. I'm happy to have an excuse to give notice. Bad employee literally spent ten minutes screaming at receptionist that everyone knows I'm horrible. Because I reviewed two of her files and wrote "x missing please correct by x". Which I'm required to do for everyone on the team, every month. Which I get no extra pay for. Fuck this.

I have a car I could do deliveroo.

Sounds like crap employee knows she's crap, but can't handle being told! So much easier to blame others for your own mistakes and inadequacies!

Before this I worked at a nice lovely place for eight years and then a quite nice place for five years. I'd quite like to work somewhere without the hooting and hollering.

I got a raise to 30k.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Been following - bloody well done. It might not be what you ultimately want from them but it’s a start.

I'll take it! Despite my belly aching here there are a lot of positives to the firm,including a good reputation. Nice to feel a bit more valued. Thanks for the nice messages.