Career Change - Become a solicitor

I wish to set the scene.

I am a 27 year old male with a long term partner and 1 child. Having completed a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree in DCU, I worked in Fund Administration for 3 years. I then moved to the Corporate Finance department of Ireland's national airline. I have been working in this area now for almost 2 years. In spring of this year I began studying for the ACCA's. I have no real desire to become an accountant but just kind of fell into doing them because lots of people in my job are doing them.

Due to my exemptions because of my degree the first subject I had to study for in the ACCA's was Law. During my degree at DCU I also completed a module in Corporate Law.

Anyway, whilst studying Law for the ACCA's I realised that this was an area that I found extremely interesting and actually enjoyed studying.

For the past few months I have been giving serious thought to packing in the ACCA's and taking the steps to qualify as a solicitor. This is the plan that I am considering taking.

Irish Test - July 2008

November 2008 - March 2009 - FE -1 Preparatory Course Portobello College

September 2009 - FE - 1 Exams (Not sure how many to do in one sitting)

Find Apprenticeship with Solicitor office.

Upon qualification I would like to complete the Diploma in Family Law with Law Society. Divorce is on the increase in this country and I believe that this is an area that I would enjoy.

I would greatly appreciate your comments or opinions. I am 27 years old now. If I began the process next Autumn like I stated before, would it be possible for me to have my own practise by say 2011?

See this document for the career map

[broken link removed]

To be in your own practice by 2011 is highly unlikely, given the dates that you outlined above. The details in relation to when you can open your own practice, Im not too sure, I would contact the Law Society if I were you. I cant imagine its as simple as complete apprenticeship, open own practice.

Also, see the thread on AAM re: obtaining a training contract.

This is not meant to deter you, but I suppose to give you a real appreciation for the process and the difficulties that you may encounter.

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=27367&highlight=trainee+solicitor

Check out this link too - again, not to put you off. It should give you an idea of what you're facing.

The trajectory you've described means you're looking at September 2010 to go to Blackhall which means you would be admitted to the roll in 2013 assuming no mishaps along the way. You must be 3 years minimum qualified before setting up in practice on your own.

I'm not trying to play down how hard it is to get through this but your other qualifications and experience should count for something. Your financial background should also help you in your own practice as in my experience both doctors and solicitors are lousy at running a business. Have you considered corporate law? Longer hours and more stress but buckets more money if you are good at it.

Sitting all eight FE1's in one go is apparently do-able (I was too chicken and did five and three). Why don't you make a start now? Griffith College do excellent grinds at night. I'm sure they'll be starting up their course now in preparation for the March sitting. Do 4 in March, then do their next grinds course which starts around April/May (I think) and sit your final four this time next year. If you were a little trooper, you could start in Blackhall in September 2009 instead.

Do you have any contacts to help you get an apprenticeship? I think that's where a lot of people fall down. It appears to be who you know. Nepotism, eh?!

But think long and hard before you dive in. It's one hell of a journey

Good luck.

Also family law is tough going. I remember when I was starting out thinking that it was a really interesting area. Some years later I realise that it would be very hard going to specialise in this area. You would be dealing with people going through the rawest of emotions and seeing people at their worst. Violence, bitterness, jealousy, grief and devastation is what you will be dealing with. Allegations of child abuse, neglect. There's precious little glamour in the day to day reality of life as a solicitor. You could spend all day from 8 am to 8 pm at the district court dealing with barring orders, maintenance applications, access and custody applications. Then the next day in the office dictating lengthy and boring court documents every word of which you have to read and reread because this is someones case you are dealing with and you'd better get it right, in between fielding phone calls from clients crying and roaring abuse at you and their ex partner. You could be called at midnight by the local guards who've arrested your client yet again who's breached the barring order you explained to him just that morning. And the very very worst thing of all is seeing the children torn apart by their parents and extended family fighting.Family law can be soul destroying. Careful what you wish for.

Vanilla said:

Also family law is tough going. I remember when I was starting out thinking that it was a really interesting area. Some years later I realise that it would be very hard going to specialise in this area. You would be dealing with people going through the rawest of emotions and seeing people at their worst. Violence, bitterness, jealousy, grief and devastation is what you will be dealing with. Allegations of child abuse, neglect. There's precious little glamour in the day to day reality of life as a solicitor. You could spend all day from 8 am to 8 pm at the district court dealing with barring orders, maintenance applications, access and custody applications. Then the next day in the office dictating lengthy and boring court documents every word of which you have to read and reread because this is someones case you are dealing with and you'd better get it right, in between fielding phone calls from clients crying and roaring abuse at you and their ex partner. You could be called at midnight by the local guards who've arrested your client yet again who's breached the barring order you explained to him just that morning. And the very very worst thing of all is seeing the children torn apart by their parents and extended family fighting.Family law can be soul destroying. Careful what you wish for.

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Couldn't have put it better.

I am coming near the end of my apprenticeship. Its a great career to have but I would like to point out the following.
1. the fe1s are pretty damn hard, especially if you have not studied law and are working full time. It may take you some time to pass them.
2. finding an apprenticeship is very tough, even if you have a good degree, experience etc.
3. once you start your apprenticeship, your pay will be pittance, unless you are among the handful that get into one of the big firms in Dublin. You mentioned that you have a child to support so this should be thought about very carefully. Also, while you are on PPC1 for 7 months, you may not be paid
4. most firms dont pay your fees for Blackhall, which are at the moment about €13,000. Most people take out loans, or mummy and daddy fund this.
5. you will need to practice for a few years before you could even think about going out on your own. They say it takes 10 years after qualification to settle into your role as a solicitor.

if you have any questions, just ask and I wil be happy to answer them

oh, btw, I would continue with the ACCA exams. They would be good to have when going for an apprenticeship in the big firms, which would ensure a decent wage for you and your family to live on while training. It may then take you longer to qualify as a solicitor, but I reckon it would be worth it.