In this month’s Careers Clinic, Associate Consultant and family law recruitment specialist Mel Samson answers a question we often hear from lawyers at this time of year:
Q: The year’s halfway through and I feel like I’ve not made the progress I wanted in my career in 2025. How can I take stock and get back on track?
A: If you’re a lawyer who started the year with clear professional goals—whether that was stepping up into a more senior role, taking on a new specialism, or moving to a firm with better flexibility or progression—it’s easy for those ambitions to take a back seat amid court deadlines, client pressures and case complexity.
But July offers a natural pause in the legal calendar. It’s a great time to take a step back, reflect on your trajectory, and make a plan for the rest of the year. Here’s how to carry out a mid-year career MOT and get things moving again.
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Revisit Your Career Goals
Think back to January. What did you want to achieve this year?
- A promotion to associate or senior associate?
- A move in-house or to a smaller, more values-driven firm?
- A better work-life balance or reduced targets?
- A caseload that better reflects your strengths or interests (e.g. more high-net-worth matters, fewer volume claims)?
Now ask yourself: are those goals still relevant, and if so, have you taken steps towards them?
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Review Your Legal Experience This Year
Even if you feel like you’ve stalled, you’ve probably gained more than you realise. Consider:
- Have you run more files independently or hit your billing targets?
- Taken on a supervisory or mentoring role for junior fee-earners?
- Attended court, led client meetings, or helped bring in work?
- Deepened your expertise in a particular area
These milestones all matter—and they build the narrative of your value, whether you’re aiming for internal progression or a move elsewhere.
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Assess the Culture and Progression Pathway at Your Firm
Now’s the time to be honest:
- Is there a clear, realistic path to promotion?
- Are you being trusted with the right kinds of work to get you there?
- Does the leadership team support your development?
- Do you feel recognised for your contributions?
If the answer is “no” or “not really,” it may be that the only way to move forward is to move on.
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Take Action – Small Steps, Big Impact
Don’t wait until September to make a change. Here are a few things you can do this month:
- Book a development chat with your supervisor or team leader
- Update your CV with your most recent work highlights
- Reach out to a specialist recruiter who understands your practice area and market
- Shortlist firms that align with your values, goals, or sector specialism
- Get back on LinkedIn and raise your profile within the profession
Even small steps can lead to big momentum.
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Set Intentions for the Second Half of the Year
Set clear, tangible goals for the rest of 2025. For example:
- “Apply for senior associate roles by September”
- “Explore firms with lower targets or more flexible working”
- “Attend a networking event or speak at a legal seminar”
- “Schedule a confidential career conversation with Realm”
These give you something to work towards—and help avoid reaching December with the same frustrations you’re feeling now.
Ready to Regain Career Momentum?
Whether you’re a private client solicitor craving a more complex caseload, a personal injury lawyer ready to step into a team leader role, or a litigator looking for a firm with a better work-life balance, we can help.
Get in touch for a confidential chat with one of our specialist legal consultants, or download our latest resources to support your next move.
At Realm, we help lawyers at every stage of their career take stock, gain clarity, and take the next step—on their terms.
