To ask you what you ended up doing with your law degree

[caramelonion]

Namechange but been on here for a while (not that i've ever posted anything exciting anyway). Pinky promise I'm not a lazy journalist.
Almost all of the careers stuff at uni pertains to corporate law, which I don't think I'd fancy. We were also recently set a piece of reading about depression amongst femal lawyers which was... disheartening...!
I have no clue what I'm aiming for, really.
So AIBU to ask what career you ended up in after doing a law degree and why?

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

This is fascinating. Am very tempted to start a “maths degree” version.

[flirtygirl]

Nothing. Well I worked in housing and welfare rights, then became a carer and sahm.
Would like to be a lecturer or 6th form law teacher, but i may just retrain as a plumber as money seems to be in trades nowadays.

[hermoninny]

Insolvency lawyer at an MC firm

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

Spent 10 years working as a family lawyer in a high street firm. Emigrated to Canada 7 years ago. I’d have to start pretty much from scratch to practice here.

I was working as a legal secretary here (ironically earning more than I did as a Solicitor) and my firm offered to help me qualify. I then found out I was pregnant.

I didn’t work for a few years. When my son went into Kindergarten I got a part time job managing a private preschool. I’m also on the Board of our local Airport.

[Muffintop101]

Barrister. Not family friendly at all but change is coming (very slowly). Really diificult to manage with kids. One needs a very supportive partner and to have sufficient clout to ask your clerk for time to prepare cases rather than being in court all day every day and prepping all night and all weekend (not unusual).

[Rebeccaslicker]

Soliciting in a magic circle firm. Juggle long hours by having a stay at home partner.

[Rebeccaslicker]

(I mean I do, not you should!)

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Corporate law. Trained at a MC firm and moved to a silver circle firm at 4 years PQE. Work a 4 day week and am home by 6:30pm pretty much every day. I log in once ds is asleep if I need to. I love it 98% of the time!

[BrambleandCuthbert]

I was another one who knew very early into my law degree that i’d made the wrong choice. Not being good at facing up to mistakes led to the Bar and then a decade at a Magic Circle firm. Am now a writer. Feel like i’ve finally got where I was meant to be - although the journey definitely had its highlights.

[Pigeonpost]

Law! Well, for a bit. Solicitor for 15 years then jacked it in after DD3 as it all got a bit shit and I’d had enough to trying to claw my way up the ladder and parent 3 kids. Was a SAHM for a couple of years and then set up my own totally different and entirely non law related business and have the same income but WAY less stress. And the stress I do have is MY stress, not someone else’s.

[edwinbear]

Maybe I’m lucky with my firm or my practice area My DH is a partner in the same firm*

Yep, I reckon if your DH is a partner you probably would find your own career going OK

[Paperplain]

Qualified, 2005 - private practice and love it. Work for a big firm and moved overseas with same firm and re-qualifying in a different jurisdiction Long hours and it is stressful but love the work and I'm very driven. Have 2 kids and DH works full time as well so a balancing act between us but it works for us.

[jennymac31]

Completed law degree and LPC but wasn't successful in gaining a training contract. In hindsight I'm very glad as I have been able to use my qualifications in a variety of fields. Initially worked in the civil service before moving in the private sector. Have been working in the financial sector for the last few years and am currently on mat leave with baby no 2. Work has been fairly family friendly but hope to slightly adjust my hours on my return so will see if this is still the case!

[Dashper]

Worked in high street practices then a stint at a utilities provider (only mat leave cover unfortunately- I loved it). Post DS I work for a licensed Conveyancer. They were the only ones willing to offer PT in our town.
Friends I met through law have become an accountant, partners of high street firms, a health and safety officer (after another degree) and work in the legal department of our local council.
The council solicitor seems to have a good balance. Can be very busy at times but also has flexi-time and works from home a lot.

[Cyclebird]

I'm a solicitor and a few months ago I started a new PT role in a high street practice after 10 years out. A lot of the staff are PT and it's rare for anyone to be in the office after closing. I've started mentoring with a partner so I can clearly see what I need to do to progress towards partnership (if I want it) and I feel it's achievable PT. I have friends who are partners in high street firms, another who is v senior in the CPS and they work PT too. Also friends who have given up and gone into other things - maths teacher, florist, actress, art historian, tax advisor (the last one works from home and now sets and marks papers for ATII and STEP - well paid and flexible).