Retraining as a solicitor at 40

[AvalancheOfCheese]

Hi there, so I’m keen to retrain as a family law solicitor having worked as a PR manager for a big law firm and solely responsible for the PR and external comms for the private client practice group. Been exposed to some really high profile cases and feel i understand what is expected of family law solicitors and have the required transferable skills.

I always found it so interesting and wanted to make the big step to do the conversion course with SQE and SQE prep. I got made redundant in December and have unfortunately struggled to get a job in PR so I feel the decision has not only been made for me but I feel very excited about it.

Ive also been through the family court myself so have some lived experience too.

My question is, what order do I do things in? And how likely is it I’ll get student loans to help me financially facilitate this step?

Ive found a course at a uni near me and plan to apply tomorrow but any advice would be welcome on how to navigate this big career move.

Im a single mum but have lots of support and moreover I am very driven to make this happen.

Welcome any advice!

Also, I’ve researched training contracts and most require the SQE before that starts.
but happy to hear otherwise?

Im a solicitor and single mum (no nights with dad at the moment but has been 2/14 with dad previously) after a divorce last year. Not family but generally family friendly hours.
I trained a little while ago so no sqe.
It depends to some extent what salary you're used to and what you can afford whilst you retrain. The day to day isn't generally high profile.
What's your background in? There may still be an element of conversion if you have a degree

Thanks for your reply - I have a fair bit of child free time and my background is PR for big corporates including law firms but I’m willing to take a big hit financially to make this happen.

My degree is PR and communication and I got a 2:1. I’m not looking to get into a big London firm just something local really.

I just feel passionate about things like mediation and non dispute resolution work.

I’m just worried I won’t get the funding / loan to do the course.

I’m doing LLM online at the moment to prepare for SQE, I’ve got a student loan to cover the cost.

Amazing - do you didn’t find it hard to get a student loan?
That’s my main concern.

Not at all, you sign up for the course and then fill in the form on the student loan company website and then once the course starts they send you the money. I had to pay for the first module upfront before the loan came in so I put it on a credit card then paid it off a couple of days later when the loan arrived.

See whether any firms near you are offering a graduate solicitor apprenticeship. You don't need to have a law degree, you study as you work, receive a salary and your SQE will be funded.

I would think very hard before getting into debt to convert to law. It’s very vulnerable to AI, which is already replacing some trainee/paralegal roles, and there is massive oversupply of freshly minted LPC graduates every year. Family law offers some insulation because it’s the corporate/commercial piste that seems particularly saturated. However, there will be fewer opportunities in PC work and - unless you’re dealing with HNW individuals - I’ve heard it’s pretty hand-to-mouth.

I’ve been a lawyer for nearly 30 years and wouldn’t do it now! Being a family mediator might be a good option - not so likely to be imminently replaced with AI.

That’s interesting as I’ve done quite a bit of training with AI and agree it will take over quite a lot of roles in law but also SEO blog writing etc I already had lawyers using it to do their mandated ‘PR’ stuff and clocked it straight away.

I do agree though about mediation - I worked with mediators alot and think I’d be good at it. Do I need to do the full conversion to be a mediator though?

I can’t name names but I worked very closely with a high profile broadcaster who converted to being a mediator and she definitely didn’t do a conversion course.

She would have self funded though which I can’t afford!

Hi @AvalancheOfCheese

You don't need a law degree or to do a conversion course to become a mediator. (I briefly flirted with civil mediation myself - along with floristry - after a torrid few months in practice!) You would need to do a course but iirc they are weeks/month long rather than a full academic year, and then register with the family mediation council.

I would think that is a less spendy way of starting a second career, more futureproof and probably equivalent in terms of salary to a PC solicitor. Probably more interesting as well!

I really wouldn't. Not at that age. The cost of the courses are ruinous.

I don't know why law is often considered as a second career later in life. It's expensive It isn't family friendly. It is hugely competitive, and by the time you've made back enough money to pay back the course fees and make a decent profit, you'll be retirement age. That's if you can even get qualified.