Lawyer looking for career change. HR?

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I'm a development lawyer of 15 years PQE.

I hate it! and have come to the realisation I need to get out.

Thinking about other options I wonder whether HR could be an alternative career.

I've researched HR jobs online and most seem to want the CIPD qualifications.

Does anyone currently work in HR and happy to give me a steer as to how to get started?

Thanks

What is it you hate about your current job? Just asking because 15 years is a long time to spend on something only to work away. I'm a similar vintage, litigator, and have had similar moments. Would a change of firm, working practices, and/or goals help? I'm guessing not a Partner? I'm not so not being goady.

It's the time recording the ridiculous billing targets - I feel suffocated.

I'm not a partner and I'm not well paid for the stress involved.
.it seems that to progress you need to be all thing to all people. Business development is expected as well as lawyering. My husband's whole career is business development but he doesn't have to do the lawyering crap on top.

Can you pivot to a related role? E.g.business development, compliance, reg affairs, research?

I would start the CIPD level 5 and start applying for HR roles. Draft a strong covering letter to explain that you are making a career shift.

Assuming you've dismissed the obvious paths of the bar, in house, government and sole prac, and that you've asked about HR because you enjoy the people management side... Then it sounds like a good idea! I do wonder if you'd have to go to the bottom of the ranks though.

A path which I've noticed an unusually high number of lawyers taking is teaching. If you're in UK I assume the pay is rubbish (in Aus it's pretty good), but the holidays and using your brain in a constant but different way seems to really appeal to post career lawyers!

Could you pivot to employment law?

otherwise with a legal background, employee relations might be an area to look into

I really wouldn’t bother with CIPD. I have no idea why companies ask for it - it has zero practical applications and tells me nothing about whether an employee can actually do the job. If challenged just say you are legally qualified and that’s equivalent

Not a lawyer but an auditor (chartered accountant) and I hear you completely on the billing targets, chargeable hours targets, BD, being everything to everyone etc etc. I'm also looking for a career change for the same reasons that you are.

But to what I don't yet know.

Another option might be auditing or compliance support for things such as information security or GDPR. Most big companies have inhouse people and it requires less retraining

Thanks everyone for you input.

Some things to ponder.

Perhaps an in-house role to transition out of private practice and into a commercial role. I've known people do this at large businesses like Vodafone, where it was easier, once in, to step out of the legal department and into another team.

It sounds like you're standing at a crossroads, ready to take a leap into a new career! Making the jump from law to HR can be a big step, but it might just be the breath of fresh air you need. HR can be quite the change of pace with its focus on people and workplace dynamics. Have you thought about diving into some hrdf training? It could give you a solid foundation and help you dip your toes into the water before making the full plunge.

On the bright side, your legal background will be a feather in your cap for navigating employment laws and negotiations in HR. You might find yourself in a whole new ballgame, but it sounds like you've got the playbook down pat.