Lawyer Mums!

[Almondbiscotti]

Calling all lawyer mummies. Just generally interested to know when what age you had DC 1?

Also how did you find going back to work? Was going back part time/flexi hours made available?

I'm a barrister. I was 32 and 2years out of pupillage when I had DD. I had 6 months off chambers' rent for mat leave and a reduced rate for a further 6 months. I went back 3 days a week, which doesn't work out that way, but overall balances enough that I can keep things togetherish.

I had my DD at 19. Did my degree, worked in a law firm from age 22, been there 8 years now. I work part time and have adjusted my hours a fair few times over the years!

Flexi hours - generally not. Law firms tend to like you polishing chairs with your arse after 5pm rather than going home to your family so be prepared for negativity if you don't work long hours every day. That's been the only real down side for me though.

It's still a relatively heavily dominated male environment so many firms try their best to accommodate part time working for women.

So MummyBex1985 in your experience have you found working part time full days the only option. My colleagues wife have offered finishing at 4.30 pm with earlier start of 830am on a 4 day week (has Fridays off). I think this is the best I have heard!

Not sure about whether to ask for full time with couple of days working from home or to bite the bullet; or ask for 3 days but know that those days will be long ?? or attempt to ask for flexi working and part time as per my colleagues wife!

All this is not aided by an hour and 20 commute each way!

I had DS1 when I was 30 and DS2 when I was 32. By that time I was an associate.

I worked 4 days a week initially but that didn't work very well. When they were in nursery it was fine since I could collect them at six (and it was two minutes from the office). Once they started school it was harder and so I switched to a shifted day starting at 7.30, working through lunch and finishing at 3.30. My firm was flexible only because I'd worked there for 10 years and proven myself as reliable and very good at hitting my targets.

Watching with interest! 30, 2yr pqe and ready for a baby. Only thing holding us back is worrying about work...

I was 36 when I had DS and 8 years pqe. I'd been with my firm 6 years. They are quite a progressive firm and colleagues in my department had been able to go back part time previously so I assumed it would be fine.

By the time I returned to work there had been a change in economic climate and management. My request to go part time was outright refused. I put several different options forward and they were all rejected. I've now been back full time for almost 2 years. At least though where I am I can do a standard 9-5 day and my immediate boss is sympathetic.

30- back part time, which is awesome, but public sector. No my dream job, but a decent compromise.

I'm 28 and 1pqe. Planning to TTC next year with aim of having baby aged 29 and with at least 2pqe, then want to come back full time though will try to work at home more often. In my firm and dept part time isn't really an option - I think I'd end up taking a pay cut and working the same hours in fewer days while getting passed over for the interesting work so bit of a lose lose situation!
My colleagues with babies are all senior associates 6pqe and up, but I qualified at 27 rather than 24 so don't feel like I can afford (or want) to wait.