Lawyer needing advice..

[rocket5]

Hello

I've looked back through past threads for some advice about my situation, but almost all the discussions seem to be about lawyers who are considerably more experienced than me, so I'd be really grateful for any advice.

I'm currently just over 1 year PQE (am in my late 20s) and have been on maternity leave for about 3 months. I work(ed) at a magic circle firm in a department which did a lot of corporate support work (pensions/employment that sort of thing - don't want to give too much away). My hours were varied - sometimes really nice and I was away by 6pm, sometimes not so nice and I wasn't home until the small hours.

DH works very very long hours and is regularly away for overnight during the week. He is therefore unable to help with childcare.

Before I left work I was not enjoying my job. I have no ambition to make partner, and did not like my team. Indeed, if I hadn't gone on maternity leave I'd probably have started looking around for another (probably non-law, but definitely non-MC) role. In fact, I'm not sure if deep-down my desire to get pregnant wasn't in part an unconscious attempt to have a valid excuse to leave work (I appreciate that sounds a little harsh - I truly do adore my DS despite this admission!!).

I'm now in the position of having to decide whether/when to return to work. I'm very fortunate in that I do not need to work for the money - obviously the extra I would earn would be nice, but we can live off DH's income.

We would like a second child fairly soon.

If I were to return, it has been made very clear to me that I would need to put in a lot of extra hours (over and above billable hours) strengthening my knowledge of my practice area. I would therefore be working very long days.

If I don't return we would have to repay my ML pay, plus I'd miss out on a bonus I'd get after 12 months back at work. The repayment wouldn't be the end of the world, and whilst the bonus would obviously be nice, it's not a life-changing amount. However, it does seem a bit silly to just walk away from that money.

I'm concerned that if I don't return, I'll be ruining my CV, but then again, if I don't want to go back to law, is this a huge issue? Indeed, is there any point in returning for a year and then going off on ML again (as would probably be the plan)? Surely, I'll be back to square one after a second ML anyway??

I'm also concerned that any request I make for PT work will be turned down since I'm too junior to make it feasible. Is this a reasonable assumption?

I'm going round and round in circles in my head. I do want to work in some capacity - can't see myself at home 24/7 - but I don't know if returning isn't just going to make life super-hard for no real long-term goal (other than the money). Would I be better off trying to get a short-term role in-between MLs in an area I think I ultimately want to move into post-children?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

PSL = Professional Support Lawyer (i.e. non-fee earning, do all internal training, precedents, newsletters/briefings, keep up to date with all latest legislative developments etc and run client workshops/seminars).

Actually in this context it means professional support lawyer - a qualified lawyer providing know how, support, writing publications within a law firm, but not fee-earning...

sorry - missed Mog's post there.

Ahh, when I worked in the public sector, we used to refer to some of the legal teams as PSL. Sorry for the misleading info darleneconnor

Thanks for all the helpful advice - really interesting to hear opinions.

I'm still undecided - keep vacillating between different decisions depending on what day of the week of it!!

WhereToStartYetAgain - just wanted to wish you well. A TC is pretty intense at times, but you can limit that to some extent by being savvy about your choice of seats (if you can)/supervisors. Certain departments and partners get reputations pretty quickly so you should learn what/who to try to avoid!!

xx

If it was me rocket and I had the choice, I would definately take the time to be at home.

I came back to work after 6 months having felt guilty about taking that "long" not knowing we would never be able to have another child (long story- I have a chronic health problem diagnosed when I was 6 months pregnant). If i could turn back time!!!

I do a 4 day week which keeps my sanity- just about! Really want to change job as have lost all confidence. My hubbie is, for the moment, a sahd and we are so much the better for it. Just made sense to have one of us at home although we are "down" obviously by his salary.
Life is short. If you can manage financially, then go for it!!

The very best of luck.

I have just gone back to work after having DS2, nearly 9 months (today was day 3). I am 9 years PQE but work in-house. I am lucky as the hours/pay are good and my boss is very flexible. However, leaving DS2 and DS1, 2.8, is a massive massive wrench and I wouldn't do it unless I enjoyed it and it was worthwhile financially, which it does. I am hoping to make a flexible working application to reduce to 4 days as I can't bear the thought of being away from them 5 days a week. I would say that if you don't really enjoy the job and can comfortably afford not to work then stay home. In my view there has to be a really good reason to leave your baby at home and one that you need to be comfortable with. And life is MC firm is tough, especially as a newly qualified lawyer where the bar is raised and you are expected to really prove yourself. There is no getting away from chargeable hours!! Are you really up for the fight as that's what it will be?

Apologies for all the typos!!

I'm a lawyer - had my first child at 4 years PQ, second at 6 years PQ. And work in a city firm, silver circle, in corporate department. I'm on a fixed hours deal - which works maybe 70% of the time - took a pay cut and made big career sacrifices for it (will never make partner, dont get the best calibre deals any more, etc.) but like where I work, like the people I work with, generally like the work I do and the clients and dont mind, on occasion, working outside of my fixed hours when I have to (provided I have enough notice can arrange child care - have remote access so can work from home and can work things flexibly). You need fantastic childcare arrangements - I have a wonderful nanny who is flexible and who my kids love - to make it work, supportive partners that you work with and the energy and enthusiasm to keep going when you're feeling tired/ill/like you'd much rather be at home with your baby.

I am not a lawyer and have no idea about how this could effect your career in the future. That said, it sounds as if you aren't that into it anyway.

I have been a working Mummy not through choice but necessity with my first 2 dcs and it really is the only regret I have in my life as i missed out on so so much, I know that now I have had another two dcs and am at home with them.

Time has flown by and if you can afford it then stay at home. Yes you are walking away from money but the alternative is walking away from your baby. You just don't know what is around the corner in life, the best laid plans can go to hell in a second. I cannot imagine that anyone ever regrets spending time at home with their dcs, I know it has made all my family and myself a lot happier to slow things down a bit and be around more for them all.