4 Years Qualified

The ‘mid’ line.

I’ve never judged my ability strictly against the amount of time I’ve been qualified. I think the fact I haven’t been employed by a firm has helped that, I haven’t experienced strict lawyer hierarchy and haven’t had peers to compare to at each stage. 

I have also never seen age or less experience as a limitation. Sure, both of these things mean less time spent doing ‘lawyer things’, however it also means more relevance and an understanding of the modern world. It’s important to know that we must learn from others who have been in the game longer, but we all have something to bring to the table.

Back to the 4 years thing.

The number doesn’t really matter.  But I am feeling the pressure on what’s next, & it’s mainly around having a team.

Being sole legal counsel was a deliberate choice. I hadn’t considered it until it became an option, but it was the one that I very quickly became drawn to.

I’m over a year in, and can feel myself being pulled to that next 'step up’ which is likely having someone reporting to me. I’m deliberately avoiding that though (for reasons I will share ofc), so, it’s leading me to a limbo feeling.

We don’t like limbo over here. Let's keep it moving!

Thing is, when you aren’t motivated by money (over a certain amount) & you don’t slot into the norm of legal career climbing, what do you strive for?

4 years' PQE seems a good time to figure this out.

If only I had the answers.