To be continued.

(From The Lawyer)

With the right mental preparation, adapting to a new career after the law can be a cinch, says Peter Barton

The law used to be a career for life, but for many senior professionals this is no longer true. Early retirement may sound attractive, but it can lose its appeal after a while. An increasingly popular alternative is a second career, and a growing number of lawyers have successfully changed profession, moving into business, industry, the arts, academia, and even taking on a plural portfolio. But for those who are unprepared, making the transition can be difficult.

Life beyond the law

When lawyers move out of legal practice into the corporate world, they can find it takes time to live down their lawyerly past. A senior lawyer is generally regarded as 'Mr Small Print', while senior businessmen and investment bankers are expected to see the big picture, leaving detail and technical knowledge to junior staff. It is important to remember that your legal experience, knowledge and training are invaluable.

When assessing lawyers' attributes, anyone considering moving out of legal practice must distinguish between the 'policeman' aspect (knowledge of regulation and compliance), which may not enthuse your new business colleagues, and the high-level advisory aspect. For example, the lawyer's powers of analysis, articulation, judgement, problem-solving, anticipating the unexpected and transaction experience, as well as advising in the broadest sense, are all key assets, but are not always valued in the corporate world. Regulation and compliance is now arguably the biggest growth industry and lawyers should not overlook the opportunities this offers.

Preparing for life beyond the law