Being a second-career lawyer brings with it a unique set of benefits and challenges. On the one hand, your first career has helped you develop skills outside the realms of law. Having a wealth experience in a different profession or industry may mean that you have gained an entirely different skillset to 'first-career' lawyers. In your 'first career' you may have developed strong management and people skills compared to other lawyers at your year level. Perhaps you are good at managing people or can problem solve more creatively than your colleagues. We recently saw this transfer of valuable skills when a former HR advisor accepted a role in a workplace relations team.

On the other hand, entering the legal profession later in life may also have its challenges. It can be difficult taking a pay cut from your previous role when you accept an entry level legal role. In your early years, you may long for the day where the 'training wheels' can come off and you can rise through the ranks. 

We know from our experience placing several second-career lawyers into legal roles the value they bring to an organisation. The transition may be difficult at first, but we encourage you to be patient with yourself and your career transition.