Any PGDL / LPC tutors out there?

[CAS77]

Just wondering if there are any law school tutors out there in the world of MN for a bit of advice...

I'm a lawyer (currently on mat leave) and am looking at options outside of private practice fee earning work. Law school teaching definitely appeals, but it would be good to get some inside info if poss before making the move.

Do you enjoy it? Is it difficult moving from being a lawyer to teaching?

In terms of work/life balance, what are the hours like? Is part time working a possibility?

Any advice very gratefully received, including any tips on how to get into it (have checked all London law schools online and can't see any vacancies at the moment - wondering about doing a speculative application)

One of my friends did this a couple of years ago and is finding that there is much less of a work/life balance than she expected. She doesn't think the pay cut is really worth yet. The first year was obviously tough as she had to learn what she was doing (knowing something from practice is different to actually teaching it) so spent a lot of time at weekends and in the holidays studying. She didn't have to do that so much in the second year as she knew more of what she was doing but there were still periods of intense pressure (like post exams) when she'd just disappear as she was up until the small hours marking.

Now, its all changed - and for the worse! - as, due to changes in course structure, the course is being taught continuously so college is only shut between Xmas and NY and otherwise she has to take holiday in the same way that you do in any job... so the idea of doing it so it would fit around her children's school holidays doesn't apply. One of the big London ones (College of Law - can't remember) is about to be sold so will probably become even more business like and concerned with turning the students around in the shortest possible time meaning the teaching will become more intense.
Yes, you can do part time but the days may vary from term to term; or they may want you to do 2 full days & 2 half days depending on their timetable. Also be aware that there tends to be two "shifts" one of which is 8am until something like 3.00pm and the other is 11am until 6pm. Whilst these sound like short days, she's discovered its a nightmare from a childcare perspective (well, when your children are in nursery anyway) as few nurseries open before 7.30 at the earliest so, if you work more than 30 mins from college, you'll have to rely on someone doing drop off every day. And its the same with the other shift & a 6pm finish.
Another thing is that you really have to be there on time etc. Its not like private practice where, if you're having a quiet spell, you can go in a bit late, go & do some shopping at lunchtime etc. It seems to be much more rigid.
Hopefully, there will be some actual tutors along soon

Thanks Murtette that's useful info....the shift thing doesn't bother me so much but the working til the small hours marking does not sound fun! Especially not alongside a big paycut!! Mmmm, will maybe have to think again.