Anyone retrained as a solicitor after children?

[ChristinaF]

Hi there. I haven't posted for a long time but am in a dilemma and wondered whether anyone could help me. I have two children and the younger one starts school in September. Pre-children I had a job in the media. It was difficult and stressful job and I think I really lost confidence in my abilities. Anyway I had some time at home with the children, which I loved but also felt I had not 'proved' myself in the world of work and really wanted to achieve something. I had always been interested in law and so did the GDL part-time and am now about to start the LPC part-time. I have just been offered a training contract by a well regarded local firm near to where I live for when I finish my LPC (we have moved out of London). The only trouble is they expect me to work full-time while I train and the reality of working five days a week terrifies me. I have interviews lined up at a couple of London firms and I know at least one of these offers 4 days a week during training contract, however if I commute to London I won't be able to take the children to school and I won't be home in time for tea/homework (with the local firm I should be home by 5.30-6pm). Has anyone done anything similar?

I considered it but it was far too much to take on for me - so I shelved it. But for a while I was going to take the plunge....

I had my daughter who's about to start the LPC whilst I was a trainee lawyer and I have always worked full time with a nanny. It worked out fine. Anyone could ask her now if she minded and she would say she was glad I took the opportunities that I did. I would go for the London firms if you get the chance.

Hi Christina. I've posted before about this but you might find it helpful. I did the CPE and LPC a few years back then worked as a legal sec for a few years (couldn't afford to live on trainee salary!). After I had my DD, I spent the first 15 mths with her and then went back to work as a trainee solicitor. It's a local firm - 15 mins drive from home, 5 days a week 9am to 5pm - my DD had never been looked after anyone else except her Dad for an hour or so so I was incredibly worried! I've been in the job 6 months now and it was the best decision I ever made! DH drops DD off at nursery at 10am and I pick her up at 5.30pm. I had the chance to take up a contract in London but turned it down because of the commute - I think I prefer working nearby 5 days a week than 2 hours away 4 days a week. I think it depends on whether you've got any support from friends, family etc. I don't really so if she gets sick or if something happens, I'm only 15 mins away from her. If I was in London even only for four days a week, I would have to find someone to pick her up in the evenings (DH works till 8pm) and someone to pick up the slack in the day if she's sick. Have you got or could you create a network to back up childcare if you're in London? (might be nice to have a 4 day week if you can swing it !)

Hallo - I'm new to mumsnet, don't have any advice to offer, but Christina, I was so excited to read your post.

I am leaving the media too - had a stressful job as a TV producer, which was great but tbh couldn't cope with the stress any more and just like you, had started to lose confidence, (it was so lovely to hear I'm not alone in that!) SO, I've taken reducnancy, and will be at home with the baby until I work out what I want to do - I have really been thinking about law, which is what I thought I would do before getting into the media, but thought it would be impossible financially. I would love to find out more about the part time options you mentioned, and about whether you have found it hard to get interviews with children. I am really quite terrified about getting back into work after the babe.

Sorry, not advice, which is what you posted for, so I hope you don't mind, but I'm really excited to hear that it might be possible, and I would love to find out more

It is a tough decision but training contracts are like gold dust and I have to say I agree with others that working 5 days near home is prob better than 4 long days with a commute. I would say if both children are at school then grit UR teeth and get qualified. The higher up the ladder you would then be means you are more able to call the shots and request part time or go to other employers or CPS/ Court service/ local authority who may pay less but are child friendly. Once UR established for a few months into your training contract you could then try asking for working from home/ working through lunch hours etc and try to make the job fit in with you a little more (doing wills work always helps as you can offer to do home visits, round about 4pm then go straight home!) My view would prob be different if you were leaving small babies but the short term inconvenieneces here prob worth the long term future. I am a part time solicitor and have made it work with one, am now gearing up to go back with 2. Good luck.