Any solicitors out there?

[MrsFogi]

I'm thinking of changing from being a mid-level city solicitor to becoming a solicitor in a small practice doing anything other than finance, tax or corporate law (i.e. an area of law I have never practiced in). Has anyone got any views on the feasibility of this + any views on whether or not this is a good idea (I love being a solicitor but am fed up of working in the city + the hours of being a city solicitor).

Same here - would love to hear whether anyone else has made this step. I am in a top ten city firm and specialise in commercial litigation.

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have just left a small firm - long hours, crap pay (ie Legal Aid rates!) far far too much work to cope with. I always thought City firms and commercial stuff would be dead glamorous. Am I wrong :O

Very wrong allyco!!! I wouldn't advise anyone to sell their soul to the City firms!!!

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i was a caseworker and now trainee sol in vol sector legal advice sector, downs are depending on where you are the level of expertise can vary hugely, pluses are family friendly - i get almost 7 weeks holiday, seven hour days, toil, and no stress from managers as we don't have any - can be a minus this too... but since i had ds have really appreciated t and c, pay is ok generally better that small private practice legal aid firms and less stress, lack of resources and being self servicing not so good but for me it is fun and can be very rewarding providing access to justice - though don't know anything different - had toyed pre ds re going into city and now don't think i could cope as trainee with young family so probably destined to second rate hack

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Just spotted this thread. I am a solicitor in a smallish provincial firm (9 partners) specialising in com prop.

I have trained here and have been here since. I am fairly happy here (there is always something you would change about your firm I'm sure) but important to me is that I live close to work so can walk. This means that if I want to work late I can still be home to put my kids to bed. Oh. my husband is at home, that helps too.

I'm surprised how many solicitors are on mn.

MrsFogi, I think you should find out how many of the female partners at any prospective employing firm are mummies. I've worked at a firm in the top 100, an American firm, a firm linked to accountants and a top 40 firm. I reckon it's other mums who make the difference to the culture, not the size of the practice. Trailblazing is fantastic but frankly I find being a working mum all I can do, and much prefer it when other people have blazed the trail for me.

Also, I cannot speak too highly of a short commute, which might impact on the feasibility of it all.