Where are the jobs?

Galbin

I am wondering what area most of the jobs in Ireland are based. Is it mainly commercial law or are there opportunities in criminal law and medical law?

Also, do law practices ever have flexible working practices? I have a disability, and several chronic health conditions so I'd like to find out if someone with my issues could possibly work in law. After all, every solicitor I've ever met talks about how insane the hours are.

Thanks.

Bepolite

Jobs are pretty much like hens teeth in all areas of law. The issue you will have is; the areas that have more work will require you to have experience in area, the old vicious circle. Basically its tough as a newly qualified.

Hours could be an issue. Although I know of a couple of solicitors with disabilities, none of them would have an issues with hours. The problem you may have is if something needs to be done by a deadline and you are unavailable, it may become problematic.

Have you considered academic law? Fair enough if this doesn't float your boat. Don't forget there is also the Barrister route.

Very best of luck to you OP.

Galbin

Bepolite wrote: »

Jobs are pretty much like hens teeth in all areas of law. The issue you will have is; the areas that have more work will require you to have experience in area, the old vicious circle. Basically its tough as a newly qualified.

Hours could be an issue. Although I know of a couple of solicitors with disabilities, none of them would have an issues with hours. The problem you may have is if something needs to be done by a deadline and you are unavailable, it may become problematic.

Have you considered academic law? Fair enough if this doesn't float your boat. Don't forget there is also the Barrister route.

Very best of luck to you OP.

I have a circadian rhythm disorder. Mine has improved, but it still isn't cured by any stretch of the imagination. This means I am well able to work late, but not able to start work till 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. I also have several autoimmune conditions. Sometimes I feel like I may as well give up because ppl with significant health issues like me are not really catered to by the working world at all...

Academic law really appeals to me, yes. However, I thought maybe there wasn't many jobs in that.

What is a law degree like in terms of demands? I would be thinking of doing the MA in Law in Maynooth, but not sure what the workload would be like.

Thanks for your kind post.

Bepolite

I'm afraid I'm only an undergrad (albeit also charitably and inaccurately described as a paralegal by some) so I couldn't tell you anything about Masters degrees. That said I do know something of PhDs - they tend to be self-funded in law in my,limited, experience.

In relation to fields of work with law/academic law the possibilities are endless notwithstanding disabilities. I'd probably find an NGO or two you were particularly passionate about and see if that ever goes anywhere. If you're looking for a job with a certain future/money abandon all hope ye who enter here.

I do understand your frustration, dealing with a disability (however minor it may be) myself, however law is 'customer facing' so the timing needs to be hard and fast. That said: there is momentum towards solicitors being present in Garda interviews, perhaps a job you are most suited to as it does seem to be at night that many people seem to chose to get themselves arrested. Furthermore, in a busy solicitors office there is no reason why your hours couldn't fall around the afternoon court sittings, although I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect an office to accommodate this.

Galbin

"If you're looking for a job with a certain future/money abandon all hope ye who enter here."

Do you mean in law or in Ireland in general? It's actually not money that motivates me, it is about achieving something with my life other than being the "sick housewife".

Bepolite wrote: »

I do understand your frustration, dealing with a disability (however minor it may be) myself, however law is 'customer facing' so the timing needs to be hard and fast. That said: there is momentum towards solicitors being present in Garda interviews, perhaps a job you are most suited to as it does seem to be at night that many people seem to chose to get themselves arrested. Furthermore, in a busy solicitors office there is no reason why your hours couldn't fall around the afternoon court sittings, although I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect an office to accommodate this.

My disorder is actually a disability in legal terms, so apparently they have to give "reasonable accommodations". I just wonder do they do that...

Bepolite

Galbin wrote: »

"If you're looking for a job with a certain future/money abandon all hope ye who enter here."

Do you mean in law or in Ireland in general? It's actually not money that motivates me, it is about achieving something with my life other than being the "sick housewife".

Any legal career is going to require a lengthy period of an income which is not sufficient to live off of. I'm not talking about no holidays, I'm talking about living in a room-share and probably doing a part-time job. It varies from person to person and the route they take but is pretty much a certainty for the majority.

Like myself you may have an exceptionally understanding and supportive spouse, or you may be minted, just be alive to the fact that this is the main bar to entry in legal careers.

Galbin wrote: »

My disorder is actually a disability in legal terms, so apparently they have to give "reasonable accommodations". I just wonder do they do that...

You'd have to prove, notwithstanding the disability, you're the best person for the job, the competition is fierce. I suspect 99% of firms would find an excuse not to hire you. To be fair small firms just wouldn't have the ability too, large firms - I simply don't know, but you will need a bloody good degree and plenty of extracurricular just to avoid the CV being binned. That's not to suggest for one second you won't be able to do this (although in a year as a mature student it's going to be tough!).

Reasonable may be an issue given court sittings, although not every lawyer attends court.

Barrister route, you'll be self-employed but again getting work will be tough even if you're able for being in at 7am every morning. That said most barristers I know aren't capable of being there at that time!

If you can afford to do law for the love of it you're in for an exceptionally fulfilling experience, with no shortage of people looking for your time. My advice for this route would be the Bar (Barrister Route) and the BL, once you've either done the Dip. or other required course. I believe that there are two classes at the Inns in any given year, one starting later then the other. It might then be possible to find a supportive master to work the hours you require and build some practice experience.

NormalBob Ubiquitypants

Bepolite wrote: »

I'm afraid I'm only an undergrad (albeit also charitably and inaccurately described as a paralegal by some) so I couldn't tell you anything about Masters degrees. That said I do know something of PhDs - they tend to be self-funded in law in my,limited, experience.

Most people who are doing PhDs are part time practitioners who never submit any sort of work. Ever. I think they just like being able to say that they are doing a PhD in an area. Of the full-time students you have about a 1/3 chance of getting funding. The higher the funding the more competitive it is and more difficult to obtain. Unlike in science, there is no specialised funding for law PhDs which is painful.

Galbin

Bepolite wrote: »

Any legal career is going to require a lengthy period of an income which is not sufficient to live off of. I'm not talking about no holidays, I'm talking about living in a room-share and probably doing a part-time job. It varies from person to person and the route they take but is pretty much a certainty for the majority.

Like myself you may have an exceptionally understanding and supportive spouse, or you may be minted, just be alive to the fact that this is the main bar to entry in legal careers.

You'd have to prove, notwithstanding the disability, you're the best person for the job, the competition is fierce. I suspect 99% of firms would find an excuse not to hire you. To be fair small firms just wouldn't have the ability too, large firms - I simply don't know, but you will need a bloody good degree and plenty of extracurricular just to avoid the CV being binned. That's not to suggest for one second you won't be able to do this (although in a year as a mature student it's going to be tough!).

Reasonable may be an issue given court sittings, although not every lawyer attends court.

Barrister route, you'll be self-employed but again getting work will be tough even if you're able for being in at 7am every morning. That said most barristers I know aren't capable of being there at that time!

When you say limited income, do you mean €500 a month or like €1000 a month? I have a very supportive husband who has a very good job. Due to my health issues, and having left my past career, we have been doing okay on his income, as the government won't give me anything, despite the fact that I paid taxes as a self employed person for many years.

Bepolite wrote: »

If you can afford to do law for the love of it you're in for an exceptionally fulfilling experience, with no shortage of people looking for your time. My advice for this route would be the Bar (Barrister Route) and the BL, once you've either done the Dip. or other required course.

What do you mean there would be no shortage of people looking for my time?

Thanks!

Galbin

NormalBob Ubiquitypants wrote: »

Most people who are doing PhDs are part time practitioners who never submit any sort of work. Ever. I think they just like being able to say that they are doing a PhD in an area. Of the full-time students you have about a 1/3 chance of getting funding. The higher the funding the more competitive it is and more difficult to obtain. Unlike in science, there is no specialised funding for law PhDs which is painful.

Do lecturers not have to do a PhD to get positions though?

Bepolite

Galbin wrote: »

Do lecturers not have to do a PhD to get positions though?

Most would be jobbing barristers. Some of the larger institutions would have a few knocking about.

Bepolite

Galbin wrote: »

When you say limited income, do you mean €500 a month or like €1000 a month? I have a very supportive husband who has a very good job. Due to my health issues, and having left my past career, we have been doing okay on his income, as the government won't give me anything, despite the fact that I paid taxes as a self employed person for many years.

More likely lunches bought for you by your master 5 days a week. You'd need to buy a cape, tabs, other court dress and pay your law library fees. A master *might* pay your second year fees in recognition of good service.

Solicitors might earn minimum wage and be expected to pay Blackhall fees, or might get a small allowance and fees paid or might be on 40K a year with a car, fees paid and an assistant (although the latter is unlikely).

Galbin wrote: »

What do you mean there would be no shortage of people looking for my time?

Thanks!

NGOs, FLAC, businesses looking to get legal advice on the cheap (read free), OMCs, your friends, family and other hangers on. I imagine it's like telling someone your a Doctor, the very next question is: "I have this rash..."

EDIT: Demands on my personal time last year:Internship, Mooting Society, Debating Society, Any other society that spots you in the previous societies and decides you're good at organising things, fundraising, campaign managing elections (didnt do this but got asked :P) for anything up to council elections, assisting running events including: Judges visits, Brehon Law Society, legal research for anything and everything you can think of and not to mention the biggest time sink of all... boards.ie

NormalBob Ubiquitypants

Galbin wrote: »

Do lecturers not have to do a PhD to get positions though?

Most would have PhDs or near completion at this point.