After 16 years in legal recruitment – and a whole career in law – I’ve supported countless legal professionals as they navigate career moves, rebalances, and sometimes complete reinventions.
Whether someone is looking for more flexibility, leaving London, or returning after time away, my approach is always people-first. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter placements. It’s about listening deeply, understanding what matters most, and finding a role that fits both personally and professionally.
Recently, I asked two candidates I placed to share their experiences. Both are qualified solicitors who moved from London-based roles into something new, and each had their own unique set of challenges. I’m incredibly grateful they agreed to tell their stories—and hope they give you a real sense of what it’s like to work with me.
This month: Stories from Two Solicitors Who Made a Move
“I loved the firm… but I was exhausted by the London commute.”
Before we spoke:
This candidate had spent just under three years at a top 30 law firm in London. She told me:
“Although I loved the firm, I was becoming very tired of the London commute. It was wearing me down.”
How she found me:
She came across my name through word of mouth:
“Clara is renowned locally for being one of the best legal consultants, and various friends recommended her after using her services to find new legal roles.”
What the process was like:
We took time to understand exactly what she wanted—beyond just salary or firm size. She said:
“Clara was very professional and knew the local market inside out. She really took the time to identify my requirements and made the process so much easier than if I’d made direct approaches myself. She convinced me to look at roles and areas I would otherwise have dismissed.”
Where she landed:
Happily, she found a role that really fits:
“I’m really happy in my new position—it feels like a perfect match. The firm is very forward-thinking, with several impressive female lawyers I admire. I already feel part of the team and even have a say in shaping how the firm evolves.”
Biggest hurdle I helped with:
Like many solicitors, she was extremely busy while trying to make a move:
“I was working long hours on large projects with tight deadlines. It felt overwhelming being bombarded with questions from prospective firms. At one point, I nearly put the whole search on hold. Clara stepped in and took the pressure off completely—handling queries, negotiations, and scheduling. Her calm, capable support made all the difference.”
“I’d left a City role for family life—but I didn’t know how to return to law.”
Before we spoke:
This former Magic Circle lawyer had stepped away from her legal career for two years to relocate and focus on family:
“For two years, I’d filled the career void with voluntary work—serving as a school governor and trustee for a local charity. Leaving my career was a hard decision, but we moved to Suffolk to find a better work/life balance and spend more time with our daughter.”
When we met, she was ready for something more—but unsure what that looked like:
“It had to work within the constraints of school hours and holidays, and I wasn’t feeling hugely confident after time out of the profession.”
How she found me:
Through a friend:
“I wasn’t actively looking for a role, but a friend encouraged me to meet Clara for a coffee. She said Clara would have ideas—and she did!”
What the process was like:
We talked openly about her concerns and options:
“From the outset, Clara was brilliant. She completely understood the work/life balance piece and helped me realise that flexible ways of working do exist in law. She highlighted roles at both small and medium-sized local firms—but the real win was a consultancy position I’d never have considered.”
Where she landed:
She found a new rhythm—and a fulfilling role:
“I’ve now been in the role for just over six months and I’m really enjoying it. The work is varied and interesting, and the flexibility is exactly what I needed. Getting back into it was surprisingly smooth—you forget how adaptable you are!”
Biggest hurdle I helped with:
Confidence and self-belief:
“Clara helped me focus on the 18 years of experience I’d already built, not the gap. She helped me realise I had so much to offer, and that it was possible to find a role that fit my parameters. Her enthusiasm, positivity, and tailored approach made all the difference. Thank you so much, Clara.”
What These Stories Have in Common
Both of these women made bold moves—but they didn’t do it alone. My goal is always to lighten the load, provide insight, and be a calm, strategic partner in what can be a complex and emotional process.
Legal recruitment isn’t just about matching CVs with roles. It’s about helping people build lives they want to live – careers that support, not restrict.
