To ask what alternative job I could do for a similar salary

[Hunetp]

I work in law and earn 70k. I’m so fed up of it but as a single parent the money is needed. My mortgage is 950 and I’ve no way of cutting this back and if I was renting I’d be paying even more.

I feel like I have no options as I’m not qualified in anything else. I hate the culture and the arrogance and, being honest, the men! Mostly (not all) very difficult to work with. I’ve only been back a year since maternity leave. I suspect I am paid less than most men there too, I’m already 37 so feel like I’m on the back foot financially and would rather be on the back foot but doing a job I don’t despise the environment. Do I just have to suck it up? I am not skilled in anything else sadly and looking online tonight it doesn’t seem I would get any other work.

Christ, on that basis you can certainly afford to drop down a lot more than £60k

OP what are your qualifications - are you a solicitor, legal executive, barrister or other occupation working in law? I’m asking because my advice is likely to vary depending on that.

I think you'd find it hard to move into the charity sector at Director level, however Governance is well paid in charities - you could consider that as an interim move to gain knowledge of the sector, and then progress to a COO or Chief Exec role.

I once worked with an ex-barrister who was excellent (they moved out because income unreliable), lower salary than you mention above, and progressed really quickly.

I would add that in house disputes jobs do exist but they aren’t as common as some other specialisms.

She’s next to me so I’ve asked her-

Big organisation in STEM.
Contracted 35 hours a week and typically does extra hours but nothing major (maybe 40-42 hours in total) and generally a very flexible employer.
She said the role above hers is HR Director and £200k+.
Manages a really big team that’s multidisciplinary.
Stressful and she says it’s more number-based than you’d think, but she loves it.
Does a lot of negotiation (unionized environment), representation at tribunals, and policy development.
She’s also a qualified mediator.

Would you do a qualification in eg chartered directorships, company Secretary, finance for non-financial managers ..? There is huge demand on boards for someone strong in compliance, risk, audit, combined with a law qualification. You could do a voluntary board role very part-time to earn some stripes.

G7s in my bit of the civil service are on about 51k so it's unfortunately pretty variable.

What about management consultancy?

She’s just said that they have a big in-house legal team. Well paid (in line with practice solicitors but not at partner level) and great work/life balance.

Would you look at moving in-house?

You might have relevant experience for complex claims in insurance depending on the area of law you work in. One of the big companies that have complex commercial risks.

I work inhouse in local government and earn £120k.

This. We have a household income of 47k and a mortgage of 950

@Hunetp it depends where in the world you are (roughly) and what,if any, other interests you have- could you tell me these and then I could give you some more specific examples because there are probably hundreds of possibilities but not all of them relevant. A lot of charities look for board members from diverse professional backgrounds. They often advertise these posts on LinkedIn, on their websites and places like the Guardian. They are voluntary roles usually but with low time commitment and being involved helps you to understand what’s needed for a CEO type.

I would look up some local not-for-profits, eg homeless initiatives, women’s refuges/charities, venues or theatres etc. The least “glamorous” or smaller ones would probably be your best bet- as these can be harder to attract people with your kind of professional background so they might overlook lack of experience more easily

Do you have a particular area of law you specialise in? I went from professional services to a think tank in a related policy area and earn 70k.

I work in employment law for a charity, 4 days a week, £52k. It’s dead easy and incredibly flexible with great pension and 7 weeks holiday.

You need to start researching alternatives as your current employer does sound shit.

@Hunetp here’s an example, note what they say about applying even if you don’t see yourself in all of the job description https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/alliance-for-youth-justice/chief-executive/944744?tsId=2

You are in a toxic firm. Change firms, that's what you must do. Corporate disputes needs problem solvers and lateral thinkers. Not bully boys.

Yes will vary based on dept - I’m Home office and london based

Company secretary?

Hmm, the civil service I would argue is just as toxic and thankless in most places. I’m sure OP isn’t interested in swapping for a like for like environment.

OP don’t go for civil service. You’ll absolutely hate it honestly. There are pockets where it isn’t so bad but all it takes is a change in manager or team and there are small p politics all the time. I’m speaking from experience (including a long tenure at the Home Office…) I am desperate for a way out!

Could you apply to a London position working remotely? London salaries are much higher for law (even in house) and my DH is a solicitor who earns over £100k and is fully remote

@Wakemeup17 can I ask what qualifications you have or how you got into it? I have a LLM but no legal undergrad, but I'd like to get into something law related. Any advice?

I don't know if it would suit but I'm in Higher Education and as a sector I love it. Might be worth perusing the University job pages to see if there is anything suitable.

FWIW I spoke very recently to a long established London based in house legal recruiter and he said nearly all his clients were now mandating that new joiners would be in the office most or all the time. Doesn’t mean fully remote roles don’t exist but now pretty rare to get London money for this as a new hire.

If you don't want to stay in law but like using the skills it requires then Regulatory Affairs is a good sideways move. Pick any regulated industry and you'll find roles. It's a shortage field so the pay tends to be excellent.

Knowledge lawyer ? Company sec?