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Original poster

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

95 replies

user1471456822 · 18/08/2016 19:19

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.

OP posts:
Skyler30 · 19/08/2016 16:55

Bless ya! at 28 you've built up a set of legal skills and you speak about ambition and you're not chomping at the bit for partner, you want out but have mortgage, must work, must pay! Mmmmmm

I think in your situation I'd find myself a really good recruitment consultant, not an easy task in itself because most of them are just low grade salespeople selling the human commodity, the have IQ's lurking somewhere just below freezing point and most like those round pegs that fit in round holes. That said, there are good ones out there so get looking.

Once found you have a face to face meet to discuss your CV and to make it clear what you are looking for. That is to say you want a job where you can use your legal skills and qualifications, therefore commanding the salary you need to cover your outgoings, but you don'y want to be in a law/solicitors practice.

I reckon there are loads of opportunities in both the public and private sectors that could use a legal person. In most cases that will be a senior management role so you shouldn't get dumped on, and companies have to be compliant and maintain ethics or it'll cost the royally if they dont.

Yup! that would be my advice to you.

Good luck whateve you decide to do, post again though Smile

Arcadia · 19/08/2016 17:07

Ooh suegeneris and notagiraffe how do you get these editoral type publishing jobs? I worked in publishing years ago and have been a solicitor for about 9 and seriously burning out with the stress and the clients (family law). I earn more than OP but not much prospect of a raise unless I keep moving firms. I don't even know how you find jobs these days? Agencies?

Pacific · 19/08/2016 17:16

I see you are in Scotland. NHS National Services Scotland have lots of legal jobs come up. There is one advertised just now in the fraud department which sound interesting. Go on SHOW website (Scotland's Health on the Web) and search under 'no health board area'. The new jobs go up on a Tuesday and Friday. It may take a month or two until a suitable one comes up but it is worth keeping and eye on it. The salaries fora solicitor are usually band 6 and above so comparable with your current slary.

ceeveebee · 19/08/2016 17:17

I used to be an accountant in practice and now I'm a company secretary for a listed company. It's definitely high pressure but not from clients, more from the board members and stakeholders. It's really autonomous work and I enjoy it a lot more than I did when I had to deal with clients! If you have a law degree you'd be able to do the ICSA fast track course and would probably have to go in at entry level assistant company secretary but that will pay more than you are currently earning

emsyj · 19/08/2016 17:25

I used to be a solicitor and hated it. I did it for 10 years (at top 50 firm and magic circle). I am now a civil servant working reasonable hours and plan to go part time after my next baby. The pay is not as good as my salary as a lawyer, but your salary is ridiculous for 10PQE!!!! I will earn more than you for 3 days a week of very much fixed hours and no chargeable hours... Get out, the salary they are paying you is nowhere near enough to justify staying in a job that you hate. You could earn as much or more on any graduate scheme.

Vagabond · 19/08/2016 17:43

28k is outrageous. You deserve so much more.

Come and live in Australia. You'll earn so much more and have a great lifestyle. You need to change your life (meekly: if you want to). Seriously.... you are so qualified. I am so shocked by your low income based on your qualifications. I earned more than that as an event manager. .....

Karmin · 19/08/2016 18:36

Stay in Law, but move firms, look for another role in another firm.

Also, if you did make partner there probably would be less client contact, or join a firm with a stronger admin pool that can take the pressure off you a bit

Original poster
user1471456822 · 23/08/2016 21:21

Thank you so, so much everyone.

Well, it has come to a head anyway. Had a meeting with my boss and the upshot is that I leave at the end of the month. She could tell there was something really wrong and my heart wasn't in it.

Preparing to tell my parents but hope to have A PLAN before I do so. I'll need to ask for financial help sooner rather than later.

I hope it's ok but I want to start a nice new thread about getting a new career. I'll link the two threads.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 23/08/2016 21:25

Best of luck. I hope she's giving you a good reference.

Original poster
user1471456822 · 23/08/2016 21:25

In fact, no, I don't need a new thread, I'll keep this thread as my sort of journey/journal!

Do you know what I would really like to do? I'd like to be a professional declutter-er or proof reader. Or maybe both. Why not have a "portfolio lifestyle"?

I'm also maybe interested in archiving...

I am thinking about taking a few sessions with a careers counsellor though - does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
kirinm · 23/08/2016 21:28

I know quite a few people that have gone in- house and are much happier. I hate my job too ( litigation) and I'm only 4 years PQE. I can't think what to do but I dream of just walking out most days (and lay in bed anxious most nights).

Sorry not much advice but you have my sympathies.

Original poster
user1471456822 · 23/08/2016 21:28

Vagabond - thanks for the invitation but I don't think my cat would like to travel to Oz. Weirdly, when I was a child in the Scott-Charlene era, I used to fantasise about living there. Where I would obviously be tall, tanned and blonde, all of a sudden.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 23/08/2016 21:30

You can take a lodger in, quite a lot of it can be tax free. It might keep the wolf from the door a bit.

kirinm · 23/08/2016 21:30

What about in- house at a construction company (I'd love that)? Property / contracts etc would likely be beneficial experience.

thedragonflyinn · 23/08/2016 21:33

What about looking at the Scottish Government for possible opportunities? Legal or otherwise?

Original poster
user1471456822 · 23/08/2016 21:39

Ooh, the suggestions keep coming, that's brilliant.

I'll tell you a secret - this will out me to anyone who knows but so what. I'm actually qualified in England & Wales as well as I worked down there for a bit.

OP posts:
leoniethelioness · 23/08/2016 21:41

OP, I'm also a solicitor. My colleague (English and Welsh law) has just accepted a NQ job in New Zealand and he's taking his two cats! It's costing a fortune but he adores them. Just saying...

Bonywasawarriorwayayix · 23/08/2016 21:45

The Land Registry might still be recruiting.
Try utilities companies too. I loved the time I spent doing maternity leave cover for one.

Original poster
user1471456822 · 23/08/2016 21:46

Noted with interest, Leonie! (Cat-themed name too!)

May need to use all my negotiation skills to get the cat in a box for that journey!

OP posts:
user1471461166 · 23/08/2016 21:50

Not productive at all, I'm just being nosy so tell me to naff off of you like!

Do/did you work for a panel solicitor at a large national estate agency network?

My husband was a mortgage broker for an offshoot firm which was linked to one of those networks, and often lamented how overworked and stressed the solicitors seemed, and he couldn't quite work out how they made their money given that the fees were low.

If it was the same chain (you needn't name names but I think it sounds like it is), you're lucky to be getting out and I wish you all the best. Husband went self employed and is so much happier these days, chain life was not for him.

daisygirlmac · 23/08/2016 21:58

Wow OP how exciting!! I read something in the guardian a few weeks back about a professional declutterer I shall see if I can find the link. Just as an aside, to start you off, I'm an estate agent and we work closely with a house clearance/auction company. My suggestion if you did go down this route is to make some contacts in estate agency, also possibly care homes, as they may be able to put you in touch with potential clients. LOTS of people I might are overwhelmed at the thought of sorting stuff out and moving and it's often a huge task if someone has been bereaved, I bet they would be glad to pay for sympathetic help.

daisygirlmac · 23/08/2016 21:58

People I meet even not might

cheminotte · 23/08/2016 21:59

Well done OP. Very brave of you.

fastdaytears · 23/08/2016 22:02

I'm a solicitor too but a bit less qualified than you. You're being massively exploited for £28k. That's less than trainees were getting paid in the firm's I've worked in.

I actually wouldn't give up on law. If you could find a better paid position with fewer clients who are paying more then surely that would take the pressure of constant client interaction off?