City lawyer looking to change to flexible working Post Reply

[mumtoBB]

Hi all- bit of a random one but I am a lawyer working in private practice in the city and am keen to change jobs to allow for a more flexible working life to fit in with the children. Ideally I would be looking for part time with fixed hours and /or 3 to 4 days a week. Has anyone made a similar move and if so could offer any tips or advice (suggestions as to next steps/recruitment agents who specialise in woman returning to work/flexible working/companies keen to employ mums on a flexible basis)? Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Eve1979]

Hi there, a great friend of mine has recently left the city (ex lawyer and top tier IB) to set up a recruitment company specifically aimed at placing blue chip women (and men!) who are looking to return to work on a part time/project basis. (She was amazed at the lack of flexibility with corporates and high costs of childcare which lead to many women sadly not returning to work). She launches her business this summer, but has incredible contacts and has already done several placements. I would definitely recommend you speak to her. Her company is called Hurston Eliot, and she is called Julia Colegate-Stone. Do let me know if you would like her contact details. Hope this is helpful! Eve

[BTCdad]

I'm a city lawyer and work with lots of women who have part time/fixed hour contracts. I think firms are keen to retain good women, rather than losing them as soon as they have children. It helps that the market is currently very busy. Can you ask if your current firm will allow you to change your hours?

[pie81]

I'm also a city lawyer - I do 4 days a week and work 9.30 to 6 in the office for three of those days. It's not fixed hours as such - I do sometimes need to pick up emails in the evenings and on my day off - however so far there hasn't been too much of that as long as I'm efficient in the day. I too would recommend asking your current firm before looking to move, it's generally easier to get flexible/part time hours where you have a track record and I believe there is a greater desire amongst law firms than before to be seen to be more female/family friendly.

If you do want to move, I'd suggest looking into Axiom. They do temporary placements in house - often leading to a permanent job offer I gather - and you could specify you wanted particular hours (though that would limit your options of course). could be a way for both you and the employer to "try before you buy" on a particular arrangement.

[gee_o]

It is slightly less certain than you are looking for, but I can highly recommend Lawyers on Demand - it was formerly part of BLp and it now off on its own. I have worked freelance with them for 3 years now doing both on site and remote working assignments. My longest role has been on site for a major law firm for a year (I then decided to end it so I could spend the summer with my kids) and the shortest a few weeks remote working. It had worked really well for me but you have to make the decision on how you setup your childcare. It may be easier of you have school age kids as I have been spinning plates with temporary nannies since Chrismas. I'm now looking for a permanent nanny as the work flow has been pretty constant since I came back off mat leave in January.

Availability of work depends hugely on practice area too as some work better than others for freelance work.

PM me if you would like to chat further about it.

[jg75]

I am friends with a couple of City lawyers who found themselves in the same situation as you. I must say that they found the situation rather depressing because they were both told by recruitment consultants that there was no way in hell that they would be able to find a part time job at another firm or in-house (they were both in financial services law though so I guess this would very much depend on which area you work in). I also heard about Axiom but this is a problem if you don't have flexible childcare. Both of my friends ended up staying at their firms but negotiated reduced hours in the office (one of them has to work from home in the evenings). I haven't heard of a three day week working in the City but I think there are a number of people working four days. I recently joined a network called Citymothers which I would recommend - there seemed to be loads of other accountants, lawyers, bankers and city workers there, many of whom worked part time or flexible hours, all sharing their experiences and solutions to the various problems we face. Good luck!

[2009Kat]

Try asking in your own firm for a non-fee earning role. Professional support/ knowledge management/ training lawyer? My firm has all of these, largely staffed by women on a part time basis. There are also a number of lawyers on 4 day weeks/ working from home arrangements - the part time fee earning arrangement is obvs more difficult as the posters have mention ed above due to need for flexible childcare.

[mumtoBB]

Thanks so much for all your really helpful responses. After my first child I asked for flexible working at the firm I work at. Despite having worked there for 10 years I was told (and the same policy applied to all subsequent females in the group) that there are no flexible working hours permitted as it just "does not work in terms of what we do". I did work from home as much as possible but found the on call 24/7 to be stressful and not the life I want so would like to make the move now post baby no. 2. I will definitely look at axiom. Eve- it would be great to speak with your friend and I will send you a separate email. iWork for one of the magic circle in finance and disagree thAt firms are keen to retain good women on flexible hours. That. Is certainly not the experience I have had or know from other women in this field but if anyone has had other experiences v keen to hear! Thanks again for all your helpful feedback.

[2009Kat]

Actually sounds like you work at my firm (despite my positive post above I have plenty of horror stories....).

[AnuSatpute]

Eve 1979, can you please PM me the contacts of the recruitment firm you have mentioned in your message. I am a management consultant who took a six month break to spend time with my three year old. But now that I am talking to recruitors, I am getting a lot of feedback around my 'inability to work long hours' !!. I really need a job with flexible hours. Thanks so much

[pie81]

Ah you're magic circle and transactional - yes I suspect that would be the least likely area to agree to any kind of part time or flexible working. I do think things outside MC/ in non transactional depts are getting a bit more flexible (emphasis on A BIT), but appreciate that doesn't help you...

What about the public sector? FCA is often recruiting.

[jingo_x]

Lots of great suggestions here already and I would second joining www.citymothers.co.uk and also take a look at www.workingfamilies.org.uk who offer great advice on you position regarding flexible work.
One company that I have come across is www.obelisksupport.com who specifically offer flexible working for lawyers so might be worth having a look at their site too.

Good luck - I hope you can find what you want

[AbbevilleMummy]

I'm not a lawyer but have you thought of going in-house? You may find more flexible opportunities working within the in-house legal team of a large corporate that has to offer all it's employees the same flexible working benefits regardless of the dept they work in?

Also I have met Gillian Nissim at several functions. She has set up Working Mums in order to match professional women with corporates who value flexible working. I've not had direct experience with the company but you could check them out.... http://www.workingmums.co.uk/corporate/aboutus/