Any ex legal professionals?

[BoredLawyer]

I am a solicitor, 7 years PQE, specialising in commercial property and bored utterly witless.

Pre-children I enjoyed it, now I just feel like I’m out the loop (I have zero supervision in my current role and most of my work is a niche area that I do right now - not what I took on but in my organisation you have to be flexible and take what lands with you) so I constantly have imposter syndrome - or just genuine haven’t got a clue syndrome. I’m so fed up of it.

Pros are the money is good, I can work from home mostly which works great with my kids and my organisation is pretty flexible.

Realistically I think I need to get over myself and crack on but in an ideal world I’d like to change specialism. I loved criminal law but it requires more travel, unsociable hours and a drop in pay. I can’t do that whilst my kids are young.

Thinking of transferrable skills what have any ex lawyers gone on to do?

Not an ex-lawyer, but do understand your sector. You will have the same issues if you transfer. Every mentor is getting out of high paid, responsible roles to run a B&B or similar for a few hours a week.

Carpe diem for the younger generations, but so many of them want an easy ride too.

Funny you should say that, Me and my DH do have a small scale BnB and have looked at doing this FT. Problem is we need our salaries to finance it all!

I know…

Corporate lawyer who went into legal recruitment
Employment lawyer who is now an HR Director
PI paralegal who is now a nail technician

And plenty of others who just went into either in house law, or work in local govt.

I did a six month seat in com prop and it was mind numbingly dull! I would look to move - did you enjoy any of the other seats you did in your training contract?

Watching with interest. I am so fed up with the stress of it all.

I like more people based areas, loved family, loved criminal (spent two years as a PT paralegal whilst doing my degree) and didn’t mind private client. I followed the money and in hindsight probably have the best role for having a young family. But it doesn’t inspire me. I don’t get that satisfaction anymore. I preferred residential in many ways but it’s less paid and more pressured.

I am in house and that has its pros and cons.

i think some of my issues is burnout from having a small family too. Hence BnB appeal, good money but easier to delegate and less taxing on my brain!

Go in house?

I already am😁

I could’ve written your post five years ago.

As the main breadwinner, it wasn’t an option to take a salary cut. So I instead started to look for my inspiration and passion outside of work. I am now studying naturopathic nutrition, helping my friends and family with health complaints and that’s my passion 😇

I'm not a lawyer but have been in a similar professional role. I took a bit of a pay cut but moved into policy/research related to my area of expertise. It's very flexible with a young child and while I am currently earning less, the experience I'm getting now will mean that I can walk back into a law firm/professional services firm at a much higher level in due course.

I quit my job as a solicitor when I was 7 years PQE (I specialised in planning law and property development). I didn't have a job to go to but had had enough (bored and stressed) - I didn't have kids or a mortgage at the time. I became an academic and teach law and property development to surveying students. I am thinking of moving on again but there have been some great times - students are far more rewarding/fun to be around than property developer clients

I would suggest looking for another in house role at a fun company like media or hotels or something like that. At least you’ll get perks.

I actually found a new job and loved the company - but I am so constrained by childcare. My DH works away sporadically (1-3 nights a week) so I have to be able to do all the childcare. My two are in nursery.

im pretty inflexible, I really like the idea above of focusing on passions. I have really started to prioritise my running and fitness again, that’s helped my mood and outlook no end.