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Original poster

Am I too late to retrain in Law??

83 replies

Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 16:19

Just that really.
Had a successful career in marketing, had a few years break to have children and now thinking at 42 I’d really like to to do the GDL conversion course. It’s something I’ve always been interest in, but took a different route at uni. I really want to stidy again with a view to a new career.
I’m worried about age, I’m worried about managing family life- being there for the children, after school, cooking and general stuff that I might not have the time for.

What is realistic?? Has anyone done it and successfully navigated family life?

OP posts:
Edmontine · 04/09/2021 16:59

You are not ‘too late’ to study and pass the GDL, no. (Assuming it still exists. I’m not up to speed with recent evolutions in legal exams.)

How much do you actually know about the early career pathways of solicitors or barristers? They each have particular drawbacks which one might find even more intolerable having already spent decades as an adult.

If you haven’t already done so, I’d suggest you try to arrange some first hand observation / shadowing in a solicitor’s firm or chambers - more than one, ideally - to see what life might be like at the lower end of the tree. (Unless you have any close relatives amongst the judiciary - in which case you’ll be fine.)

BTW, you’d be very welcome here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4327788-Is-there-a-specific-Mature-Study-Retraining-board?msgid=110096218

Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:03

Thank you.
I will hop on over.

Unfortunately, no family members in the judiciaryShock

OP posts:
EishetChayil · 04/09/2021 17:04

This might sound harsh, and I'm not one to dampen anyone's dreams, but I fear it would be more trouble than it's worth. The job market for law is completely saturated - it's dog-eat-dog even for fresh and spritely graduates.

Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:06

That’s exactly what I fear @EishetChayil

But I just don’t want any regrets in life and I’ve always wanted to pursue it....

OP posts:
Edmontine · 04/09/2021 17:06

Grin I really didn’t want to tell the OP that, EishetChayil.

kerosene20 · 04/09/2021 17:06

@EishetChayil

This might sound harsh, and I'm not one to dampen anyone's dreams, but I fear it would be more trouble than it's worth. The job market for law is completely saturated - it's dog-eat-dog even for fresh and spritely graduates.
I agree with this. I am a lawyer and honesty my if I knew then what I knew now I wouldn’t bother.
Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:07

This is so depressing.

OP posts:
kerosene20 · 04/09/2021 17:07

Although my reply was illiterate, sorry I’m doing dinner while half reading MN!

Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:09

@Edmontine

Grin I really didn’t want to tell the OP that, EishetChayil.
I know Grin

Honesty is very much needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:11

@kerosene20 Smile

That’s tough. Hindsight is a wonderful thing...we’re both coming from opposite sides!

OP posts:
Cam2020 · 04/09/2021 17:11

This might sound harsh, and I'm not one to dampen anyone's dreams, but I fear it would be more trouble than it's worth. The job market for law is completely saturated - it's dog-eat-dog even for fresh and spritely graduates.

I was going to say the same thing. I also thought about doing the conversion course a few years ago but decided against it.

Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 17:12

What made you eventually decide @Cam2020 ?

OP posts:
Luobogao · 04/09/2021 17:12

If you want to be there for the kids after school it's the wrong career choice. What sort of law are you interested in?

It's not impossible but it's a tough slog. Do you have a strong first degree?

YesThisIsMe · 04/09/2021 17:17

Actually becoming a lawyer or barrister is really cutthroat, I agree, there's a lot of people with legal qualifications out there earning bugger all due to over-competition. However it's still potentially a worthwhile qualification if you can find a creative niche which combines law with your existing qualifications and expertise. Look at marketing-adjacent jobs and think about which of them would be a great fit for someone with legal qualifications.

groundcontroltomontydon · 04/09/2021 17:55

What Eishet said - unless you have time/money to burn and don't need a job at the end of it (so sorry). Could you not redeploy your marketing skills in a legal setting (maybe with a law firm/set of chambers)? Or maybe think about a governance qualification? (Cosec is a little bit legally but with actual employment prospects.)

GiveMeNovocain · 04/09/2021 18:02

I'm 43 and just finished my law conversion. I'm considering going the legal exec route and specialising in an area linked to my current career. I'd hope being experienced and being able to juggle children/work and a degree would show I'm pretty committed and have a lot to give, even if older. I got a first and I'd hope that stands out too. I'm not too worried about my age but I've decided to go back to my old career before committing to more exams!

MaxJLHardy · 04/09/2021 18:04

Hi I'm a barrister and would be very happy to have a chat with you about this if you like.

nomoneytreehere · 04/09/2021 18:04

Also wouldn't bother and am actively discouraging my
Children.

Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 18:08

I think @Luobogao nailed it really.

Given all your responses and the prospect of not having that time with the kids really makes it a no goer.

My interests really lie with criminal law and I don’t think I could hack the cut throat world to get where I want to be. I could do the studies, but at my age I’m not sure dog eat dog is my bag.

I’ll have to live with the regret of not taking the chance when I had it all those years ago. (When I started working, I got accepted to do post grad law at Manchester, but the prospect of being a poor student again actually put me off) sigh

Truly appreciate your candid response sea - thank you

OP posts:
GiveMeNovocain · 04/09/2021 18:10

By the way, my career is a similar area to yours. I've gone public service I house for a bit so pretty regular hours, on call on a rota, decent holidays and pension but most importantly I think I could negotiate my hours if needed. I took about 2 years out and it was fine to restart at level I left. There's loads of possibilities in your 40s.

ToomuchHeat · 04/09/2021 18:11

OP criminal lawyers get paid peanuts!! Don’t do law to be a Criminal lawyer!

wheresmymojo · 04/09/2021 18:12

^ This. The starting pay for a criminal solicitor is very low...

ActonSquirrel · 04/09/2021 18:12

@EishetChayil

This might sound harsh, and I'm not one to dampen anyone's dreams, but I fear it would be more trouble than it's worth. The job market for law is completely saturated - it's dog-eat-dog even for fresh and spritely graduates.
Yup and the courses are ruinous in terms of expense. The starting salaries are low unless you're in magic circle and they'll be looking to take on the best and brightest and youngest
Original poster
Dellabob123 · 04/09/2021 18:13

@MaxJLHardy

Hi I'm a barrister and would be very happy to have a chat with you about this if you like.
Thank you - I saw your response after I posted last.

I’m still going to think this through and if it still stands, I’d like to take you up in your offer. Can I dm you when I have more clarity?

OP posts:
ActonSquirrel · 04/09/2021 18:14

Oh god!

I did a criminal law trainee seat. It's awful. Don't do it. You'll barely make the course fees back...exaggeration but it's awful work for awful pay

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