to ask for help with a career change - calling former lawyers

[Jobsworthy]

Posting in AIBU for traffic. NC as about to give some potentially outing info. Please help me come up with some options for a career change.

I’m 31, just had my first baby and still on mat leave. I’m a senior associate in disputes in a City law firm and before she was born wanted to make partner. Now she’s here I can’t face the thought of going back to those hours and never seeing her.

I have a double first class English degree from Cambridge (plus law conversion etc) and no other work experience outside law apart from some private tutoring.

I’m also the main breadwinner. DH works a lot of hours in a rewarding career for around £30k, but we need £100k combined to continue to pay our mortgage, childcare in London etc.

I love writing and am very speedy at reading and processing info but otherwise feel I have few actual skills.

Appreciate this is a first world problem but I feel like everything I previously thought has changed and now just at sea. We can’t leave London because of DH’s work otherwise I think that would be the solution.

I also think in-house is worth looking at. DH works for a large company in London - hard work at times, but lots of flexibility, decent money. He works from home a couple of days a week, was back today by 6pm (will do an hour tonight, no more).

I work for a small high street firm. Hours great, money not so great. I definitely work harder than DH for about half the salary.

I am also a City lawyer and would definitely suggest the PSL or in house routes. Having investigated options myself, I know that salary for PSLs at my firm (and I assume in the market generally) is only 10% less than what they would be earning as a fee earner at their PQE level. The hours are genuinely better and it is possible to leave (most days) at 5 and not log on again in the evening. There is also much greater scope for part-time working (and actually working part-time, rather than doing 5 days’ work in 4/3). I agree with PP who mentioned that if you want DC2 (or more!) and your current firm has good maternity benefits you might be better off going back there initially and then looking at your options again after baby number 2 - it can take a while to qualify for enhanced maternity pay at a new employer.

Have you thought about joining a litigation funder? From what I understand, they need experienced litigators and the hours can be better than private practice, with a bit of flexibility on location. One that springs to mind is Augusta Ventures who I noticed were recruiting quite actively. There are others although I can’t remember the names off the top of my head. I would suggest the Government Legal Service, but even if you went in at Grade 6 you would not earn your target salary. Depending upon your litigation experience, one of the regulators might be an option. The FCA pays quite well.

Hello - lawyer here. Have you considered looking to change firm, instead of leaving law completely? Why not have an open and frank conversation with a headhunter and they can give you some idea as to whether you could find a firm that would work better for you.

I trained at a large City firm where I worked ridiculous hours which lead me to believe that all other London law firms would expect these hours of me. I think I also got Stockholm syndrome and felt like no other firm would hire me. I eventually did manage to leave at 2 years qualified to go to a West end firm - took a tiny pay cut (£2k) and worked much better hours. Then got headhunted to move again to a US firm with a small 'satellite' London office where I work even less hours - 9.30 - 5.30 with an hour for lunch - really - and got a decent pay rise into the bargain.

I'm honestly not saying this to show off, I'm just saying the only options in law aren't working all the hours at a big City firm. You can stay in London and have better hours - there are lots of firms where work/life balance genuinely exists. The woman I share an office with works four days a week - no kids, she just doesn't want to work a five day week! This is supported fully by the firm.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat further about all this - I have some decent headhunter contacts if you'd like a no strings chat - and congrats on your new baby.

As for start-ups, there are quite a few that will recruit litigators for recovery of debts etc., but I wonder whether the culture would be right for you. You might get juicy share options, but a lot of the recruitment ads I’ve seen emphasise free beer in the office and nights out, which sounds fun for a while but probably isn’t what you’re looking for if you want to spend time with your family!

Great advice on here. FWIW, I think it's worth you looking at the PSL route. It sounds like you genuinely like law, so I'd also suggest changing role rather than leaving law altogether.

In-house is also worth exploring. Admittedly there aren't many roles for litigators, but depending on how you pitch yourself, I'm sure there will be opportunities. I recently hired an ex-litigator for a general commercial in-house role (team fit and solid, general legal experience were the deciding factors), so it absolutely can happen.

Good luck.