Labour Lawyer Takes a Different Path

The fourth in a series of interviews with lawyers who have engineered careers that work for them is with a former lawyer who now works in a consultancy advising a range of clients—including governments and intergovernmental organisations—on issues related to labour law. She describes her career trajectory and provides insights on what makes trained lawyers attractive candidates for non-legal positions, as well as some advice on how to make the transition. 

For this lawyer, leaving the law ended up being the right path for her. Do remember, however, that plenty of lawyers have been able to create the right fit for them within the legal profession—both inside and outside of large firms (see previous posts in this series).

Could you please describe your current role?

I’m a consultant who specialises in providing research and advisory support to international organisations on social issues, mostly in the context of developing economies.

In what ways do you rely on your legal background in your work?

My legal skills often come in quite handy, because some of the work involves researching legal issues and legislation in a very diverse range of jurisdictions and making assessments about whether particular corporate practices are compliant with the labour laws in a given country, or the extent to which labour laws in that country align with international labour standards.

In addition to helping me to think in a structured way, training as a lawyer taught me how to communicate things clearly and concisely. It also taught me the importance of being 100% accurate in the advice that you give. Although that might sound a little bit basic, people coming from other backgrounds don’t necessarily have quite the same rigour as lawyers. Attention to detail is particularly associated with the legal profession, and I think that my colleagues and clients appreciate that.

Training as a lawyer also gave me drafting, client management, time management and presentation skills that I regularly use in my current work.

How did you end up where you are now?

At first, I went through my law degree and took the standard path. When I started off I was never that keen on being a lawyer, and to be honest when I started doing my law degree I did not really have a complete understanding of what lawyers do. I grew up in a small country town; I went to school in a slightly larger country town and came from a farming family and I didn’t know any lawyers. Then I got good marks and it was suggested to me that law school was a good idea, so I went with it. 

Although it was suggested to me that it was a flexible degree, in practice it wasn’t so easy to deviate from the standard trajectory. There’s a certain amount of security that comes from having a very linear career path where you just sort of put one foot in front of the other. It kind of feels scary to step off that path: if you don’t become a lawyer, then what do you do? The world is so open. 

At the very beginning of my career, I shifted around in a few different roles. I thought that was very valuable, because I got exposure to quite a few different areas, in bite-size chunks, which gave me a good understanding of how different professional worlds work and what I liked and what I didn’t like. 

I started in a commercial law firm, then went on to gain public policy experience by working for a couple of different government agencies. I gained some international public policy experience by working for a ministry in a developing country, followed by a short stint at a law school doing research work. The professor I was working with at the university knew me well and connected me with someone who was setting up a new consultancy. They were a three- or four-person outfit at the time, and needed some support on a big contract they had just won. It started as a two-week contract and then it turned into one month and then two months. Now here I am, fourteen years later. 

Was it tough to make the jump in terms of picking up new skills or leaving the set path?

Honestly I think that one of the toughest things is making the decision to do it, and finding that first non-legal role. It’s not the actual doing. Then I think you just kind of make your way from there.

To make the jump you have to accept that you will take a pay cut. It might be temporary, or it might be longer term, so you’ve just got to figure out what it is you value most. The career decisions that I have made that I have been happiest with have never really factored in money. It’s always been more about what interests me—although obviously you need to have a salary that works for you.

What else has guided you in your career decisions?

One of the main things is looking for work that I found intellectually stimulating and varied. The team that you work in is quite important: working with people whom I respect and can learn from is part of the intellectual stimulation.

Where do you get your meaning from in your work?

I like working in a field where the objectives are about sustainability and social responsibility. I also appreciate the opportunities for ongoing learning: every time we do a project, I’m learning something new. For example, on one of my current projects I get to delve into the intricacies of politics around gender and how legal reform works in a particular country; it’s completely different from anything I’ve done before. Consultancy can be very challenging because you are constantly working across different areas, but that challenge is also what makes it interesting and keeps you absorbed.

Do you have any advice for someone who is working in a big law firm now and is interested in doing work that is similar to yours?

One strategy to make the jump is to incorporate some pro bono work into your practice, or do secondments that may be related to that pro bono work. Another angle is to advise organisations on their business and human rights strategies. By dipping your toes in, that can potentially make it a bit easier to make the move if that’s what you decide you want to do.

Do you have anything else you want to say about your particular experience?

I think an important thing to say is that as far as I am aware, no-one really looks back. If you want to leave, no-one ever leaves and says “oh man, I really wish i was a lawyer again.” I literally do not know anyone who says that. It can be difficult, but most people are just relieved that they do it. 

Jon wants to hear from you

Are you currently reflecting on how to gain more satisfaction from your career? Or are you a fulfilled lawyer who would like to share anonymously your story with others who are struggling to find their own way?