In-House Role

[mummylawyer]

I posted on Mumsnet few weeks ago setting out my position - currently on mat leave with DD1 & I wanted to go back to private practice but only on 3 day week. Employer did not agree to this (surprise surprise) but offered 4 day week plus blackberry for continued client contact. So, in reality, expected availability 5 days (at all hours!) for 4 day salary. Handed my notice in and gone crazy with the job hunting to make myself feel better. Potential in-house role. Four days again but I'm thinking less stressful or at least less demanding on my evenings/day off. Any in-house lawyers out there willing to comment on this? Does it sound like a good option or no better than the job I've just walked away from?

Thanks!

Hard to tell mummylawyer. Not all in-house roles are an easier ride so you need to suss out what will be expected of you in your new role and how tight the deadlines are going to be. Having said that it's clearly better if you have a 4 day role without the need to blackberry watch on your 5th day if that's the deal in your new job. Good luck with getting the new job.

Have been in house for 5 years now. Generally liked it better than private practice - your internal clients are generally more understanding than partners who expect you to be permanently connected to your blackberry. Also I think there are fewer peaks and troughs in work - you are generally pretty busy all the time. Also much better for working from home and juggling your hours - much less presentee-ism (sp?). Also I think it is much less stuffy, I can wear pretty trendy stuff to work which I couldn't have done very easily at any of the private practice firms I worked at.

Thanks for your replies. I've got the interview next week so I'll try & suss out exactly what the role entails.

I don't know anything about in house roles really, except friends who work in house often don't work fewer hours than my friends in private practice.

You may hate this idea, but have you thought about a support role? I am now a PSL at my firm, and that really does fit in with children - but has meant giving up any ideas of partnerships - but that didn't matter to me.

Good luck with the interview...

Thanks UC, I did ask my employer about possibility of a PSL role & they said no. I keep my eyes out for PSL roles in other firms though as I would be interested in it. Sounds great that you've found a role which fits around children. That's the ideal!

Hi mummy lawyer - let us know how the interview went. Seen from the other thread that you were in the same position as me re resigning from stressful private practice so interested to see how you go. I am still SAHM though and went on to have dc2 almost straight away instead of applying for other roles.

I left private practice to go in-house about a year ago. Have not looked back since and would never go back. Hours are significantly better, family friendly environment and a large variety of work. Much nicer being the client.

Good luck.