If you are currently questioning your commitment to the Law, you are not alone. Since 1978, many lawyers have consulted us. Some have decided to stay , and left with new resolve; others have made a change within the law; a few have left the law altogether.
A career change is not to be undertaken lightly. What you need is:
* time to reflect in a considered way
* conversations with someone not involved
* good information about opportunities
CPDL offers some 30 years of experience in giving professional careers advice. Expert career counsellors give you the very best careers advice. Experienced lawyers on our Lawyers Advisory Panel offer you the opportunity to talk through your options, once you have clarity about your self and your direction.
If you are in a dilemma about your career direction, read the following statements. If any strike a chord, read on:
To leave the Law or stay?
- I don't feel as though I have the right personality and mindset to really get on in the law. Can you help me explore what options I might have both within and outside the law?
- The law has turned out to be very different from what I expected. Can you help me to explore what I might do that would best suit my strengths and interests?
- I used to be interested in the Law, but my motivations seem to have changed. Can you help me clarify what really does interest me?
To leave the firm or stay?
- I have not progressed to partner level and am seriously considering leaving. Can you help me to talk my decision through in a considered way and look at other options?
- I have been told that I am headed for partner level but I am uncertain about the impact this would have on my work life balance. I'm not sure I want the responsibility and stress of becoming a partner. Can you help me to talk this decision through?
- I have decided I want to leave this firm. Can you help me talk through the options?
- My firm is not giving me the opportunity to develop. I'm frightened that if I leave, the situation will be the same elsewhere. Can you help me identify a set of criteria for judging whether to stay or go?
Returning to work
- I am considering coming back to work after a career break but I don't want to go back to what I was doing before. Can you help me to develop my ideas?
Personal development and managing stress
- I feel overwhelmed by the work and don't know how to manage my stress levels. I would appreciate the opportunity to get a clearer perspective on my current situation and decide what to do next
- I have been given feedback that I don't have the appropriate personal impact when dealing with clients. Can you coach me to develop these skills?
- I find certain relationships at work very difficult and feel I am being bullied. Can you help me to develop my assertiveness in dealing with the demands of others?
How does Career Planning and Development for Lawyers (CPDL) work?
Introductory meeting
A half hour consultation (face-to-face or on the telephone) to decide
whether CPDL is appropriate for you and, if so, which career
coach to see.If not, we will make suggestions for alternative help.
This consultation is free of charge
The CPDL programme
Stage 1
Written preparation
Stage 2
Consultation: Exploring (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Exploring your career, education and training choices to date
- Reviewing other life issues relevant to your career
- Agreeing objectives for your CPDL programme, for example: do I need a change of career, firm or area of specialisation?
- How suited is my personality type to my current work?
- How can I achieve a better work-life balance?
- What really interests me?
- What kind of organisation culture might suit me?
- Agreeing to use questionnaires and self-assessment assignments to address:
- skills
- interests
- personality
- values
Stage 3
Questionnaires and assignments undertaken between the meetings
(allow up to 6 hours)
Stage 4
Consultation: Review (approx. 2 hours)
- Review of questionnaires and assignments. This consultation can be tape recorded, if you wish. Experience shows that using tapes is most helpful in enabling you to reflect on the discussion, the results and possible implications. The tape is of course yours to use as you wish. You might, for example, want to share it with a partner or friend
- Identifying key job satisfaction criteria, related to skills, interests and personality
- Agreeing further assignments to identify and research options
Stage 5
Consultation: Lawyers Advisory Panel ( 1 hour)
Consultation with a member of our Lawyers Advisory Panel. This meeting will enable you to talk through the options against your job satisfaction criteria, with someone highly experienced in advising lawyers on career direction.
This meeting may be taken at any appropriate stage of the process.
Stage 6
Consultation: Decision making (approx. 2 hours)
Review of research against job satisfaction criteria
- Identifying further ideas for career or personal development
- Constructing a Action Plan
A Written Summary can be provided, on request, at no extra charge. This acts as an aide memoire, by encapsulating the key findings from the questionnaires and assignments, together with areas agreed for further research and the appropriate action steps
Further consultations (optional)
Putting the Career Plan into action
You may need a further consultation to maintain the momentum of your action plan. This could include:
- a consultation on polishing up your CV
- writing an excellent application
- preparing for interviews.
This further consultation is provided at no extra charge.
What you can gain from CPDL
- Greater self belief from a clearer understanding and recognition of your abilities, interests and personal strengths
- ability to make a decision
- the courage to make a change of job or career, if appropriate
- the ability to gain a new role or find a new career path
- clarity about your job satisfaction criteria, which can act as a template for future decisions
- new ideas to help you develop and pursue your potential
- a clearer vision of your future direction
- a realistic Action Plan for your career and personal development.
Testimonials
All these testimonials are open to inspection at our offices, although client anonymity is always maintained. As you read them, note that we do not offer a traditional career advice approach. Sometimes, you need to look beyond "career" to find a way forward. The thoroughness of the CPDL approach, and the tools and time we give you to reflect, can lead to a renewed enthusiasm for your current work. And, of course, some people do find the confidence and focus to move to a new career. Read on!
I was in a mental fog, fed up with work, but unable to think options through. I thought it was life generally but concluded it was my work or possibly career. I needed to break the downward spiral.
The whole process helped me beyond that which I had envisaged. The steps involved were clear and you get as much from it as you put in. At the end I felt well on the way to restoration in myself and with a plan of action concerning my career planning. With a clearer perspective about work and myself, I was able to make various important changes, which included a realisation and confidence of a need to leave my then employment. I learnt to be myself, not what others and even myself expect me to be. As a lawyer I learnt again to appreciate my strengths, where I work at my best and I regained self-esteem in my own ability
Solicitor
Thank you. It has fulfilled what I needed and more. I now understand - I am what I am - and not try to be something I'm not
Solicitor
I would not be doing this course if it were not for the career counselling. I achieved a distinction on the first part. I am very grateful for all your help and support, Robert. I would never have got to this point without you
Medical Law student
Hello Gilly - Just wanted to say thanks for all your help and guidance. I have embarked on an exciting career path. It gave me a clearer insight into my strengths and weaknesses, and allowed me to focus on what I wanted to achieve in life
Chief of operations for software house
At a time when my confidence was at an all time low, it re-built my picture of myself. The peer feedback was particularly helpful. Because I was encouraged to think more broadly about what roles my skills and knowledge equipped me for, I became clearer about what I really wanted to do. It helped me to create a career future that balanced my needs and aspirations
Marketing and communications consultant
I would have no hesitation in recommending the service to others. The brochure and website clearly show what you will get if you sign up. Most importantly they deliver what they promise. Rob Nathan has been an inspiration for me.
Chief accountant, public service
Dear Rob - Following your excellent advice and guidance, I have just started a new job in Media Relations & it's a fantastic opportunity and fits everything we discussed. Thoroughly enjoying this new and exciting challenge. Thanks so much for all your help in setting me off in the right direction
Public relations executive
Who we are?
Our team of highly experienced career counsellors is complemented by a handed pick Lawyers Advisory Panel, who will offer you a one hour consultation to talk through your options in more detail.
Rob Nathan MSc., PGDip.Couns., Cert.Syst.Cons., C.Psychol
Rob founded Career Counselling Services in 1978 . This is the most
respected and long established career consultation service in the
UK He has co-authored two highly successful books: Career Counselling
(Sage, 2006) and How to survive unemployment: creative alternatives
(Penguin, 1982). Clients have included lawyers from all the top firms
and manysmaller ones. As a Chartered Psychologist, Rob has years of
experience of using psychometric tests in career consultations.
Gillian Freedman BA., M.Litt., Dip.Psych.Couns.
Gilly has been helping professionals, including many lawyers, with
planning and developing their careers since 1992. Her qualifications
include, M.Litt. in Language and Psychology, Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development Diploma, and a Diploma in Coaching Skills.
(Previous career history includes six years as Training Manager for
Nomura International and lectureships in English in Italy and Poland,
working for the British Council.
Karin Dean MSc
With over 20 years of working in blue chip organisations, Karin has
extensive experience in management and business consultancy. She has
worked as a consultant for Saville & Holdsworth (the psychological
consultancy), and held senior management and consulting roles with
KPMG and Cap Gemini. She holds a Masters in Organisational Behaviour
and qualifications in coaching.. As well as career counselling, Karin
continues to consult with a variety of organisations, and regularly
runs assessment centres. Karin joined Career Counselling Services
in 2005.
Our Lawyers Advisory Panel.
Please note that members of our Lawyers Advisory Panel may only
be approached as part of a CPDL career counselling programme.
Steven Fogel LLB, LLM, ACIarb.
Steven Fogel is managing partner of Dechert, London . He has spent
many years serving on the firm's worldwide policy committee and specialised
in dealing with issues arising from legal practice in an international
context , recruitment and lawyer career management and media strategy..
Steven has taken a keen and active interest in the real estate and
retail sectors . He advises many well-known companies and institutions
in this field. He is the co-author of several leading textbooks on
UK real estate law. He is a past Chairman of the UK "Investment
Property Forum" and currently a serving board member. He is also
a director of various charities and acts as a coach in the small business
sector.
Peter Johnson Solicitor
Peter Johnson began his career in law by practising in a high street
law firm specialising in client centred areas of practice, for instance
family law, personal injury and residential conveyancing. Peter joined
the Law Society in 1987 and in 1996 became their Head of Client Care
and Compliance – work that involved him offering counselling
services to solicitors covering a range of topics including the management
of the practice, the service requirements of clients and the personal
attributes needed for these demanding tasks.
Peter’s work in this area often involved exploring individual
solicitors expectations of life in practice such as the challenges
of dealing directly with clients as against being a ‘backroom’
team player or examining the obstacles/opportunities for career progression.
At the end of April 2006 Peter left the Law Society, and now works
as an independent consultant. He is particularly interested in helping
solicitors to clarify the type of firms suited to them, and to improving
their ability to manage client relationships.
Gerda Goldinger Solicitor
Gerda Goldinger is a dually qualified solicitor beginning her career
in Edinburgh before moving to London in 1984 and requalifying in 1986.
Gerda worked in private practice primarily in litigation and then
began working for the NHS in 1992. Her role as the solicitor for one
of the largest trusts in the south east of England was an interesting
and varied one. She also sat on two risk management committees and
has lectured on risk management.
After returning to Scotland for a period of time Gerda has spent the
last six years in private practice in Hertfordshire with a niche firm
specialising in high profile group litigation actions, most notably
“The Deep Vein Thrombosis Action against British Airways and
others” and the “Buncefield Explosion Litigation”.
As a result of the worldwide interest in these claims Gerda has taken
advantage of many opportunities to appear on television and radio
to highlight the significance of these cases and their relevance to
the general public.
Elizabeth Cunningham BSc. Barrister
Liz Cunningham was called to the Bar in 1995 and was soon specialising
in criminal law, in particular; Dishonesty and Sexual Offences, Misuse
of Drugs, Serious Fraud and all matters involving vulnerable witnesses.
She spent two years as a Management Consultant, working with clients
going through Change Programmes, as well as leadership and teamworking
initiatives. Having then returned to the bar, she is now a part-time
lecturer at The University of the West of England and delivers trial-management
training to the Police and other organisations involved in the Criminal
Justice system.
Fees
Full CPDL Programme £900
Initial consultation £150
Introductory meeting Free of charge
Programmes can be tailor-made according to need.
NB The Introductory meeting may be face-to-face or by telephone
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