Life after Law

[LunaEllen]

Hi, I am after some advice/guidance please. I have been a conveyancing solicitor for over 10 years now. I experienced burn out following Covid. I have tried some work related counselling to help me work better to see whether I could fall in love with my job again. However, no matter what I do, I just think I have come to the end of the road with it. It has become unpleasant. The constant chasing from everyone, feeling harrassed and the feeling of nothing you do is ever good enough. I'm sick of the 'hamster wheel' feeling.

I feel so trapped. It's all I have ever known and I don't know what else I would do. I wondered if others out there had a similar experience and if so, what career options they have followed. The money is good but I cannot continue in a profession that makes me unhappy and dread going to work.

I do have a 9 year old and a very supportive husband who just wants me to be happy. I have felt that my job overtakes family time which makes me feel so guilty 😔

Any guidance or help anyone can offer would be really appreciated.

Thank you in advance ☺️

Local authority legal department? Often reasonable pay but better working hours.

Law lecturer?

Do some AI legal tech courses and seek work with legal tech entities.

Hello - almost 20 yr pqe solicitor here. I have tried a number of ways of trying to make law work when fee earning became untenable -professional support lawyer (provided you like and respect the partners - this is a good option, can get a bit boring after a while). I am currently in house and that is interesting and generally much better fit for my personality. I think the key is to be in house in a company that is well run and treats its employees fairly. The chasing does still exist though from time to time, and there are people who would like to blame the legal dept for projects being held up etc which means you need to manage your reputation well across the business. I would say that despite what gets said you can take a break and come back to law. I took a year away from work during COVID to look after my children and managed to get a really interesting role after returning. Best of luck!

Can you take some time out before you do anything? Burn out is horrible and it can be hard to start a new job when you are recovering.

Could you consider a title checking role instead? You’d be non customer facing then.

I tired of law too and retrained as a gardener. After years of pressure and offices the outdoors, fresh air, peace, physical work and being able to work everyday doing something I love far outweighed the not insignificant salary drop.

Do you have a hobby or passion that you could turn into a career?

Definitely consider compliance. A legal
background helps and you can easily earn 150k-200k without the same time pressures of law roles.

Also easy to go down the PT consultancy role if you prefer. £1000 per day fees are quite typical.

I am in the same boat. Only this weekend I decided i want a sizeable payrise and more holidays or I am leaving.

Those in conveyancing are leaving in droves. We know why!

Thank you for all of your responses. I am definitely going to look into your suggestions. They are really helpful. I have thought about some time out and trying something totally different, but it's knowing what. I am quite creative and have thought about doing some painting lately to distract me. Unfortunately, I don't think I can make a living out of that 😕

@Crumpet727 Please for the benefit of the poster and to enlighten my ignorance, what do you mean by a career in ‘compliance’? Sounds intriguing.

Is this the same as ‘corporate governance’ or is it something to do with ensuring financial services type regulated entities ‘comply’ with their obligations, or something entirely different? And what qualifications/ experience / courses are required / beneficial? Thanks.

I’d second the legal compliance officer roles within law firms. With your background you will be ultra hot on AML (and SoF requirements) and the rest re risk assessments - you’ve basically got all the knowledge. The big corporate firms have their own compliance teams. I’m t a smaller firm so we just have fee earners who double up in the roles. But doing it full time sounds like a dream because you’re not tied up with FE and you can just concentrate on the problem solving aspects and sourcing PII and renewal of the insurance etc - and again, at the bigger more corporate firms they pay very very well. With bonuses etc.

Good luck, I hope you find what is good for you. Conveyancing is a battle ground at the moment - it’s not contentious, litigious, yet I find myself faced each day with other firms being confrontational and trying to pick arguments. It’s no good for anyone - it’s much nicer if we’re all just professional friendly and kind. But there’s less people like that as each day passes, which is really sad.

I went into regulation- specifically investigations department of the SRA. They also have a legal team. Post covid they’re largely remote so it could work wherever you are. Very family friendly although I imagine the salary drop for the investigations roles might put you off.

LOTS of refugees from private practice!

If you enjoy the law, but not the working culture, could you switch to something law-based in the voluntary sector?

I did welfare benefits for years. Its interesting and technically complex (although not well paid) and the working culture is pretty relaxed.
If you're working for a local authorities or charity its strictly 9 to 5 and often sightly less than full time due to the state of funding.

I've now moved on to a charity that advises SEN mums so I'm learning a lot of education law. Again, its not well paid. But its enjoyable and the working culture is relaxed and supportive.

Hi@LunaEllen I was wondering how you were getting on in consultancy and how you have found the change? I came across your post as I’m a v similar position - 20 years qualified, partner, real estate - want to get out for all the reasons for mentioned. Would love to know how it’s going!

@mamato3rascals Thank you for your message. I have decided to take a total break away from law. It feels so good to be away from it. I am actually retraining in reflexology and feel so much happier.

I’m glad you found something you enjoy.

I took a break from law for almost 4 years as I’d had enough of it too and didn’t see myself ever going back - but I think it was a) the firms I worked for and b) general burnout where I needed a reset.

Oddly I did miss it by year 3, I felt like I’d lost my identity! So I did go back, and found a job where I’m happier than ever…

Just throwing it out there that it might not be permanent, and sometimes a break and a new start can totally change your mindset.