Calling lawyers - how will this affect me?

[willitaffectme]

I'm a commercial solicitor who's been out of practice for about 5 years and I'm making a push to return to work as this is what I want to do. However, it is proving difficult to get back in and I am considering doing some paralegal work in order to earn some money and to return to the legal environment. The ultimate objective is to get a solicitor's role.

Is paralegal work likely to be viewed negatively and hinder rather than assist in this aim?

I would have thought working as a paralegal is really pitching yourself too low and might suggest to a future employer you didn't feel up to/competent for a qualified experience role. Have you looked for interim roles and fixed contract positions to get your feet back under the desk again?

Either that or volunteering at a law centre/ advice clinic or similar? It's a good way to show you have current experience and also to build good contacts and get your name known again.

Frances and Thistle you've expressed both sides of the coin as I see it. I am concerned that any potential employer would view this as a problem in competence rather than a way of getting back in.

I have been looking for interim roles and a agent has put me forward for a couple but I think that interim roles probably require someone to hit the ground running which even I admit would be difficult in the very initial stages. It is so crucial to get those first steps back in and build some currency - I almost feel like I would do it for free for a few months!

Thistle, law centre/advice centres not good for the type of law.

an agent