Jump Back
In the past, it was very common for solicitors with clear ambitions to move in-house to nevertheless remain in private practice for 5 or 6 years first. This has changed in recent years, with more and more solicitors making that move after only 1 or 2 years post qualification, with the “sweet spot” for such a move being 2-4 years post qualification.
For some, the decision to move in-house is easy, and those individuals should move sooner rather than later, where possible. It should, however, be borne in mind that while the decision to move in-house might be easy, the move itself is not always so easy and will depend on the type of experience gained in private practice. See more on this in our previous post. Always dreamt of being an in-house commercial lawyer? Here’s our guide on how to get that role… – Barden
There are, however, many junior solicitors who have not yet figured out which route they wish to take and they want to find their way in practice a little longer. This makes sense, but it is important not to take too long with this decision, because the in-house options available to you will begin to decrease after that 4 year PQE level.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
There are many reasons why solicitors decide to move in-house, which we will cover in a separate post. If you are recently qualified and unsure where you see yourself long term, you need to ask yourself the following questions to assess if staying on in practice for now is a good option for you.
- Do you like to work with a range of clients? If the answer is yes, practice might be your natural home. Private practice gives you the chance to build long-term relationships with a diverse portfolio of clients, from individuals to large corporates. Different firms have different levels of client exposure, so if you value that side of the role, seek out teams where junior solicitors get real responsibility early on.
- Do you like a structured environment? If yes, then practice is a great option. No other environment offers a structure in which roles are clearly defined, from trainee to partner. Solicitors enjoy the camaraderie and sense of progression that come with working in a team of peers at similar stages of their careers, while also benefiting from the support of more senior lawyers.
- Is career progression important for you? If yes, then you will enjoy this aspect of private practice. One of the key motivators in private practice is the path to progression. Larger firms will offer more opportunities, but even in small firms, solicitors will usually be spoken to annually about their career aspirations. Clear paths to progression tend to be a selling point for the larger law firms. In fact, many of these firms only wish to hire those who are strongly focused on making partner and doing what it takes to get there.
- Do you want to become an expert /go to person in your field? If yes, then practice could be for you. Practice allows you to become technically superior and knowledgeable in your area of expertise. You’ll be surrounded by colleagues who share your interests and have access to professional development resources that help deepen your specialism as you move up. In recent years we are seeing more specialised in-house positions opening up such as employment or privacy, but the majority of in-house roles will be more mixed.
- Do you want to earn a competitive salary? If yes, then practice is a great option, particularly if you make it to equity partner in a top tier firm. Underneath this level, we do see wide range in salaries and overall packages across law firms. However, with many firms now offering performance bonuses, flexible benefits, and hybrid working arrangements, the overall package in practice has become increasingly competitive. Top tip: Don’t just compare base salary — look at overall compensation, progression potential, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
Your first few years post-qualification are full of opportunity and uncertainty. While it’s easy to feel pressure to “move on”, if you do not yet know that you want to move on then staying in private practice could offer you the stability, career development, and client exposure you need to truly thrive.
Before making any big decisions, take the time to reflect on your personal values, career ambitions, and preferred working style. Talk to people in different roles. Ask questions. And most importantly, remember what is right for you might not be right for someone else.
If you would like a 1:1 career advisory chat, contact Bernardo Pina at bernardo.pina@barden.ie or Kiara Daly at kiara.daly@barden.ie.