Help! Fed-up solicitor wants job with no human contact!

[user1471456822]

Hi all,

Firstly sorry for the crap username, my account won't let me change it atm.

I'm 33, single, no DC (no plans to change either). Currently on £28,500/year (have moved jobs frequently). Have a mortgage of £550/month. No savings (oops).

I've been a solicitor for 10yrs. And I hate it. I've worked in a court roles and in more "chambers-based" practices. And I hate both. It's the CLIENTS mainly. The volume of them and their constant phone calls, emails and demands. I feel like I'm being picked at and tortured all day. Then I get to do my "proper" work at night (reading and drafting documents,). I've been working 80+ hours a week and it's still not enough. I also hate the schmoozing, dishonesty, backhanders and poor ethics which goes with it all. Plus the feeing targets and timerecording and spreadsheet reporting, like we're on trial all the time from the big bosses.

My direct boss is lovely but also works all-nighters. One team member is leaving next week and another is in tears regularly. It's not as if the powers that be are unaware. They bung us a few extra quid occasionally to keep us quiet but nothing changes. People in other departments are also fed-up.

I'm not ambitious (anymore, if I ever was), I don't want to be a Partner or achieve world peace. I just want to do a 9-5 job and come home and watch TV with my cat. I did law because I was academic and it was expected.

According to that Myers-Brigg thing, I'm actually an introvert who has learned to be an extrovert. I'm quite loud and confident and love a good laugh. But I only like people in small doses.

I fantasise about night shifts stacking shelves. Or picking items for Amazon. I like organising things. I don't like the noise and chaos that is common in our department.

I can't discuss any of this with my parents - they are supportive in general but would likely just tell me to "tell your boss you're feeling stressed" (mum) or "tough shit, life's a bitch, you've got a mortgage to pay so get on with it" (dad).

I'd be grateful for any advice or ideas. Thank you in advance.

[onemouseplace]

I really feel for you - I hated resi work - so stressful and clients wanting the moon on a stick but only wanting to pay £300 for the work (but happy to pay their estate agent thousands).

Can you try and move somewhere specialising in high net worth residential transactions?

[user1471456822]

No, I agree, the salary is a joke. I have told my boss that I feel like a mug and she agrees it is far too low but her hands are tied by the bigger bosses. Although we work long hours, we don't bring in a lot of fees compared to other departments. But they need our department as kind of a loss-leader.

[user1471456822]

Yep, and the Estate Agent or "Financial Adviser" (invariably unqualified) is the one phoning me up and demanding to know why the contract isn't signed yet. They're the ones driving around in the sun in their convertibles whilst I slave over contracts in the early hours!

Guess I really am a mug, aren't I?!

[notagiraffe]

If your grammar is excellent you could become a legal editor. I know a few and the best ones are all ex-lawyers. Most work from home. The pay is quite good. Nothing in comparison with what lawyers can earn, but then you are only working 35 hours a week, have no commuting or lunch costs, don't need smart work clothes etc so save a fair amount that way.

[notagiraffe]

Just noticed what salary you're on. That really is a joke. You'd earn that easily on half the hours as a legal copywriter/editor.

[chunters]

I know a few - ok 2 - people who have moved from Law to my Profession, Programme Management. There is some human contact but mainly with other Professionals such as Project Managers. There are still opportunities to join without the professional qualifications - I came straight from Social Housing and my first role paid more than your salary.

[YoungGirlGrowingOld]

Another lawyer here, similar PQE. Preggo so counting the days until I "retire from the partnership" Agree with a PP that there are it too many lawyers who are happy with their career choice.

What about a role teaching the LPC? Or changing your practice area to (say) property finance or real estate litigation? I started life as a litigator and then moved into transactional work.

Sadly the salary doesn't surprise me - law is a mugs game these days.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Laws hard though and people are indeed horrid.

What would you most like to do?.

[DrDreReturns]

Retrain as a computer programmer? Computers don't talk back to you! You do have to talk to clients occasionally but I try and avoid it!

[OublietteBravo]

I think in-house could be a good option for you. It is very much office hours only.

I work for a large multinational. We tend to recruit solicitors to do general agreement work in the legal department. It isn't super exciting, but then again it is unlikely to be massively stressful. Salary is probably £40k to £45k (but location is quite restricted).

[KellyBoo800]

Have you looked at the Government Legal Department? Similar starting salary to what you're on and lots of potential for growth. You'll still have clients but it's a very different atmosphere.

[ChampagneCommunist]

I knew it would be property! I am a HoD of a property department & it's relentless.

If it's not the partners wanting to know why you aren't meeting the (ridiculous) target, it's estate agents, mortgage brokers, developers or bloody clients.

Not sure how long I can stick it, but I am the sole breadwinner with an SN child, huge mortgage & am not trained to do anything else.

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

Set up on your own. Cut out the middle man, get a good paralegal and administrator and life will improve!

Your curren salary is an embarrassment when compared with your potential.

[SueGeneris]

I moved from legal practice after 5 years as a paralegal and just before starting a training contract. I didn't enjoy legal practice for most of the reasons you cite.

Like you I much prefer things to people, and loved the side of trial preparation that was document management and prep, I liked drafting witness statements etc. But I didn't enjoy most of it (did several areas of practice) - residential conveyancing dull but litigation very stressful and ultimately it seemed like it was all down to business, politics etc.

I got a job in house as an editor at a law publisher and haven't looked back. I really enjoy my work. I copy edit and project manage law reports and journals. I now work freelance from home and all my contact is via email. Actually it's a bit too lonely for me! But I earn just a little more than you pro rata (I work part time) and I am paid per hour or per page - grosses up to about £32k. And I am paid for every hour I work if you see what I mean. I won't ever earn millions doing this but it's very good for a pt job from home.

I'd really recommend it if you can find anywhere near you.

I have other friends who left private practice to become a PSL and a lawyer for the police. I also interviewed at the time I got the publishing job for a legal job with Ecotricity drafting agreements for land for wind turbines.

I'd have a very general search of all kinds of work in your area and see if you can come up with any ideas.

[INeedANameChange]

Look for another job.

I'm 2 years PQE and earn more than you and I'm oop north where legal services are cheap!

And I agree. My job would be much easier without clients....!

[Stripyhoglets]

Definitely look for Local authority jobs. It's not 9-5 by any stretch though and we are horribly short staffed with budget cuts/ austerity - but you will earn more and although there is time recording you have a more honest relationship with clients. LAs are struggling to recruit property lawyers as wages are low - but still higher than yours!.

[BikeRunSki]

YY to local government. I'm a civil engineer, burnt out in my early 30s from studying, professional exams, 15 years in consultancy, all nighters, working away from home.
Moved to public sector 12 year ago. Never looked back.

[sentia]

I agree with all the PPs saying go in-house. Our internal counsel definitely do not work those kind of hours and the pay is much better. You still have to deal with other people, but it's always the same people so you can get to know them. Another option could be to get your ICSA accreditation and move into company secretarial?

[user1471456822]

I'm in Scotland if that changes any answers....

[Nyborg]

Worth saying that some inhouse jobs do have longer hours - mine does, though it's for good reason and the salary is commensurate with that. Just that if fixed 9-5 is important to you, check it out with each job and don't just presume.

[Lasvegas]

suggestions -
In house company secretary/ corporate governance. Clerk to Governors type role.

[cjt110]

I did my law degree and LPC, was a legal assistant and a paralegal. Then made redundant. Never went back to law. Best thing that's ever happened to me!

[HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood]

Move south and become a PA in a law firm. You'd get more money and can go home at 5:30. And if they need you to stay on late, you get overtime.

Or move out of law totally. Frankly, a graduate starter at Aldi gets £40k. You could do better almost anywhere else.

[Sportygirl123]

OP I know your pain. I am in recruitment and am forced to work a minimum of 60 hours a week plus answer any incoming calls/emails on a weekend! It is a stressful environment to work in. On positive, the money is good (£50K per annum).

I would start looking for alternative work as it can't be doing your health any good being in such a stressful situation. I am at my limit and I am only doing 60 hours a week, I would have a breakdown if I was doing 80 hours!!!