Career development

At some point in your career, you might decide it's time for something new. You may want more of a challenge, a change in career direction or to earn more.
Solicitor outside office
Whatever the reason for wanting a change in your career, it's important to:
  • evaluate where you are in your career
  • develop clear objectives
  • plan your goals and how you'll achieve them

On this page you'll find:

Career clinic: book a consultation

Our monthly career clinics offer a free one-to-one consultation with a legal careers coach.

Each 30-minute consultation takes place over the phone or by Zoom for those based overseas (subject to agreement).

The clinics are suitable for:

  • paralegals (including those completing qualifying work experience)
  • trainee solicitors
  • qualified solicitors (including those admitted overseas)
  • returners and career changers considering a switch to law

Our coaches can share sector insight and offer objective practical advice and tips on:

  • CVs, applications and interviews
  • job search strategies
  • career planning, including progression or changing direction
  • options for trainees approaching qualification
  • options for overseas lawyers to work in England and Wales
  • how to plan a return to practice after a career break
  • how to work more flexibly, including options for a portfolio career
  • how to break into law as a career changer
  • how to leave practice and change careers

Our coaches are not qualified to:

  • offer tax advice, regulatory advice or business consulting services about setting up a firm or working as a freelance lawyer
  • advise on applications for practising certificates or professional indemnity insurance

To book your consultation, email careers@lawsociety.org.uk.

Help to progress your career

Browse Gazette Jobs

Career options for solicitors

Careers counsellor

Changing career direction

Judicial careers

Becoming a KC

Returning to law after a career break

Flexible working

Stress and mental health for law professionals

Job seeking 

Networking

Advice about changing roles

Articles from the Law Society Gazette 

Four tips to advance your legal career this year - the best ways to advance your legal career 

Moving on from small firms – what salary should I be seeking in a senior solicitor role?

Rerouting a career path – what would be the best way to get into commercial law?

High street or City – is it really that difficult to move on?

Solicitor-advocate or barrister – which should I go for?

I want to move up – should I stay or should I go? Gaining experience to move into a more senior role

Post-prosecution roles – after a senior prosecution role, what are the options if you don't want to go back to private practice?

Why strategic career moves are helping junior lawyers maximise their earning potential – Douglas Scott Recruitment examines how strategic career moves are helping junior lawyers to progress quickly

Recordings

Supporting others and creating a mentally-healthy workplace culture (recorded 1 and 8 July 2022, 90 minutes each)

Career planning for 2021, Q&A with JMC Legal Recruitment (recorded 23 February 2021)

Changing career direction: what are my realistic options? (recorded 20 April 2021)

Changing career direction: options outside of practice (recorded 20 May 2021)

Career vs family? How to successfully balance a career with starting a family (30 minutes)

Changing career direction: hear from those who have successfully changed career (recorded 19 October)

Conversations on returning to the law, working flexibly and fulfilling your career aspirations (recorded 5 October)

Recharge webinars:

Update and refresher in private client law series:

You can also purchase all seven sessions as a bundle, which involves a 'buy six, get one free' discount.

Guidance on how to work differently

How to work part-time – the long-held view that part-time lawyers lack commitment is changing

How to combine two careers – is it possible to pursue a second vocation alongside the law?

How to change specialism – the daunting prospect of moving practice area or career sector

How to leave work at the door during the pandemic – dealing with a work/life balance while we're working from home

Webinars

Recharge: How to work more flexibly and develop a portfolio career

This webinar is for individuals across all levels of PQE who have hit a career crossroad and are considering how they can work more flexibly by building a portfolio career.

A portfolio career allows you to incorporate multiple jobs instead of the traditional full-time role.

Recharge: interview tips

This free webinar with Q&A is aimed at individuals who want advice on how to impress at job interviews. The session is suitable for solicitors across all levels of PQE and will be particularly useful for those planning a return to the profession after a career break.