Do I want too much? Is being a PSL in a city firm ok?

[ritherdon]

I'm at the stage in my career (10 years PQE) where friends are starting to become partners etc. and hit their stride career wise; I've followed a more unconventional career path - starting at the Bar and now working very flexibly for a consultancy (I basically work at home all the time and just go into the office when I need to - 2 mornings a week or so) - so that I can spend time with my 2 DS's (aged 3 and nearly 2). I'm just about to have third baby and due to my typical lawyer-y over organised personality can't stop worrying about what to do longer term re: work life balance.

Thing is - my current job pays well, I have great control over it and I can be with the kids. BUT - I feel undervalued, and overqualified to be doing what I'm doing and feel capable of more; I don't want to get left behind. I've been offered PSL roles in city firms, and am seriously considering this for next Summer - at 3 days in the office and one at home. I know I'm unusual in that a PSL role for me is a step up rather than a step down, but I've never worked in a city firm and don't know whether I'd be making a HUGE mistake! I love training and research etc so no worries on that count - it's the hours/culture.

Am I a lucky old cow who should be grateful for what she has? Or should I take the plunge and go into the City for more stimulation, respect, status, money and better long term career prospects? Is three days a week away from the kids ok? I know 2 is fine as I've done this before, but 3? We already have a great nanny so no worries on that score.

I also tend to the view that longer term the kids need me just as much so if I can get into a good job now, then in 2-3 years when the older 2 are at school I can just work school hours maybe?

All views welcome!

I am a PSL in a City firm, working 3 days a week. I became a PSL 4 years ago, at 6yrs PQE, mainly because I didn't want to be a partner and wanted a better work/life balance. This was before getting married and having a child. I went down to 3 days a week after returning from maternity leave in April and I find it is working really well. It can be a struggle to fit everything into 3 days but generally I manage.

I did find it hard to adapt to the role when I first moved into it, as I missed the client contact a lot, but at the same time I was relieved not to have the stress/long hours. I had to keep reminding myself that you can't have everything! I still do miss the clients at times, but I do get to go speak at some client training sessions, which helps. The other thing I found hard at first was staying motivated without having immediate deadlines - I was so used to fire fighting it was hard to adjust to having plenty of time to do things. But that got better as I got into the role and the to do list got longer!

On the whole, I think the role is a good balance between mainly interesting work without the unpredictability/long hours which go with fee earning.

If you like training/research it sounds as though you would be well suited to a PSL job. Good luck if you decide to go for it.

Being a PSL has much better hours than a fee earner does and it does also allow the part time working that fee earning really struggles with. It does depend a lot upon the firm but whilst you should be able to do reasonably fixed hours you will need to have some fleixibility - e.g. if you were a tax PSL you'd need to be flexible after the budget in helping rush notes on it out.

Being a PSL has much better hours than a fee earner does and it does also allow the part time working that fee earning really struggles with. It does depend a lot upon the firm but whilst you should be able to do reasonably fixed hours you will need to have some fleixibility - e.g. if you were a tax PSL you'd need to be flexible after the budget in helping rush notes on it out.

Not my sector but noticed the recent job advert in the jobs section for commercial lawyers, which may offer an alternative career choice.