|
|
Post by jesq on Apr 22, 2016 19:52:04 GMT
I have practiced law for the last 25 years and am growing somewhat (lots) weary of it. I am thinking about trying to switch fields and human resources seems like an area in which my legal training would be an asset. I have done some preliminary research, but could use some help from those in the know.
From what I can tell, it is not possible to obtain any of the HR certifications without already being in an HR position. Does this mean that I need to go back to school and get a different degree? I would prefer to avoid that if possible, as I will have two kids in college this year and a third tuition seems quite overwhelming. Is there any other way to break into the field?
A little background on my legal experience: My first year out of law school I clerked for a federal judge. After that, I was a public defender for 3 ½ years and have been in private practice for the last 19-20. My practice is primarily focused on criminal defense and appeals (in both state and federal court), but I have handled some employment law cases, mostly on the defense side, as well as miscellaneous other litigation matters.
Anyone have any advice for me?
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Apr 22, 2016 20:00:10 GMT
I think your best bet is to talk with a corporate recruiter in your area who places candidates for HR. HR is kind of a big umbrella and can encompass a lot of things.
|
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Apr 22, 2016 20:41:01 GMT
I know a few lawyers that moved into corporate HR positions. Labor Relations and Benefit contracts were their backgrounds, so they were bringing a good knowledge base with them. How recent were your employment law cases? Are there any continuing education legal classes or seminars that you could attend to brush up on employment law and make contacts?
Is there a professional HR organization where you live? The one I was involved in had plenty of lawyers as members.
|
|
|
|
Post by christine58 on Apr 22, 2016 20:45:25 GMT
Our HR "guy" where I teach is a lawyer (NYS). Not sure he has any other degree....
|
|
|
|
Post by PolarGreen12 on Apr 22, 2016 21:02:59 GMT
I'm working on an HR Maaters right now. There is a Certification you can get within the program but you don't have to be in the program to take the classes. It's only 12 hours. There are SHRM and SPHR exams that most corporate HR jobs require. They are something you would take after already being in the field for at least two years.
I would definitely look into Labor Relations with your background. Also HR encompasses a lot of the social work fields. Many of my classmates work with people just getting out of rehab/ prison and work with them in job placement and re entry to society.
|
|
|
|
Post by carolynhasacat on Apr 22, 2016 21:38:09 GMT
Can you do consulting to start? That might be a path to full-time HR that doesn't require you starting at the beginning. Find an HR consulting firm and see if they might have an assignment for you. You can gather your "time in seat" requirement for the SHRM or HRCI (PHR) certifications.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbundt on Apr 22, 2016 22:36:11 GMT
Before embarking on the huge task of getting certified definitely contact a recruiter in your area and see what companies want. In my area certifications are highly desired but the area I moved from, not so much. You don't have to have a specific HR degree so I wouldn't go back to school until you know what companies in your area want.
As for certifications...
HRCI is offering a beginner level certification, aPHR.
Honestly with your law background you might be able to sit for the PHR exam. Contact HRCI and see if you meet their eligibility. I don't know how SHRM would count your experience since their certification is so new so you might want to reach out to them too. I think both organizations just don't want people with zero experience (like brand new out of college, never had a job) to be able to go for the higher certifications.
|
|
|
|
Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 22, 2016 23:20:20 GMT
This is out in left field but you are looking out in the field anyway...I worked with a woman who was a lawyer and she worked in property assessment. She then got a new job as a lawyer with the court of appeals. That was years ago, but I heard she was enjoying it.
Property assessment can be fun and interesting. It's not criminal law but there is really fun stuff to do.
I also worked in Family Maintenance and we had 3 staff lawyers who would go to court on behalf of parents or ex-spouses to get court orders for child care, alimony, palimony etc. The 3 I worked with loved their work and they are all still there, too and I finished working there years ago.
Those are my suggestions.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 18:26:19 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 0:40:41 GMT
There is a set of certifications from IFEBP out of the Wharton Business School at University of Pennsylvania called Certified Employee Benefit Specialist -- which with your background in law should be pretty easy with some studying. I started them in the mid-90s and finished up about 11 years ago when I went back to work. I know the topics/tests have changed over the years, but they were a good basis back then, especially on topics that were not my key area. They don't require any length of service like the PHR and SPHR do. But that said, I am not so sure your legal background wouldn't count for those if you did any work on employment/labor law. Have you checked with them directly?
eta: I write a lot of policies and employee handbook issues in my purview along with dealing with FMLA, ADA and EEOC type issues, although I also wear many other hats in my HR/payroll position. Doing HR in TX, I haven't had to deal with union issues since working at a major consulting firm where some of our clients had unionized divisions. I often wish I had a law degree, so I do think HR would be a good move for you.
You might also consider what other hats you could wear for a smaller company that would need more help than just HR....leases, agreements, contracts, etc. Because it would take a pretty large company to need an attorney in an HR position.
You might want to look at third party administrators of benefits like COBRA/ADA/FMLA/401k, etc. I suspect they would use your legal background more than a specific company.
eta2: www.ifebp.org/CEBSDesignation/overview/Pages/default.aspx --direct link |
|
|
|
Post by iteach3rdgrade on Apr 23, 2016 2:27:33 GMT
The LRC from our state for our union was a lawyer before he switched to this. It can come in handy at times.
|
|
|
|
Post by shanniebananie on Apr 23, 2016 2:54:36 GMT
My husband has been an SVP of Human Resources for aboun15 years now. He started out in audit (he's a CPA) and then moved into compensation and benefits, and then a VP. No special cerification - just experience in the field.
|
|
|
|
Post by Scrapbrat on Apr 23, 2016 12:38:54 GMT
I guess I would ask you whether you're truly tired of practicing law, or whether you're tired of private practice. To me, those are two really different things. If you have your heart set on HR, you have lots of good advice on this thread. But maybe also consider other ways of practicing law.
I went from 20+ years of private practice to a state government position. I don't work for the AG department, either. I have learned that there are many types of jobs in state government that require a law degree, and the advantages to government work are generally that you work regular hours, with great benefits. Plus I love my work!
|
|
gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
|
Post by gsquaredmom on Apr 23, 2016 13:57:39 GMT
Are there other areas of law you might like? I have heard estate planners do well without as much stress of court. Mostly wills and trusts. How about the EEOC?
|
|
|
|
Post by jesq on Apr 25, 2016 18:38:58 GMT
Lots of good advice given here. Thank you all. As far as some of the questions asked: I know a few lawyers that moved into corporate HR positions. Labor Relations and Benefit contracts were their backgrounds, so they were bringing a good knowledge base with them. How recent were your employment law cases? Are there any continuing education legal classes or seminars that you could attend to brush up on employment law and make contacts? Is there a professional HR organization where you live? The one I was involved in had plenty of lawyers as members. My most recent, significant employment case was probably about ten years ago. I know the basics, but have not kept up with recent changes in the law. I do need CLEs this year, so looking for ones in employment law is a good idea. There is a local SHRM chapter here. I have considered joining it, but wasn't sure how valuable it would be right now or even if I meet the qualifications. Can you do consulting to start? That might be a path to full-time HR that doesn't require you starting at the beginning. Find an HR consulting firm and see if they might have an assignment for you. You can gather your "time in seat" requirement for the SHRM or HRCI (PHR) certifications. I never considered this as an option. I will definitely look into it. I guess I would ask you whether you're truly tired of practicing law, or whether you're tired of private practice. To me, those are two really different things. If you have your heart set on HR, you have lots of good advice on this thread. But maybe also consider other ways of practicing law. I went from 20+ years of private practice to a state government position. I don't work for the AG department, either. I have learned that there are many types of jobs in state government that require a law degree, and the advantages to government work are generally that you work regular hours, with great benefits. Plus I love my work! Probably some of both. I am definitely tired of private practice and have never liked the constant struggle for new clients. I am also pretty burned out with my client base - people who do stupid things then get mad at me because I can't magically make the consequences go away. People's view of the law is shaped so much by TV that their expectations are totally unrealistic. I can only work with the facts that I have. I would definitely be interested in a government job, but have done some looking and those jobs appear to be scarce, particularly in my area (Cleveland). Do you mind saying what you do? Are there other areas of law you might like? I have heard estate planners do well without as much stress of court. Mostly wills and trusts. How about the EEOC? I actually think the learning to curve to go into a totally different field of law might be just as high as switching to HR and feel like a total break might be nice. |
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Apr 25, 2016 20:10:54 GMT
I think your best bet is to talk with a corporate recruiter in your area who places candidates for HR. HR is kind of a big umbrella and can encompass a lot of things. What about looking into BEING a corporate recruiter for legal positions? My nephew graduated from law school and is working as a recruiter. He chose not to practice law. |
|
|
|
Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 26, 2016 5:10:00 GMT
I had a vet for a floor mate and he was in law school. What about doing an MBA? Or taking some other kind of course in your spare time (if you have spare time???) Have you always wanted to study script writing or basket weaving or Chinese Culture from prehistoric to the Ming Dynasty? These are just outside sources of higher knowledge or entertainment.
|
|
