Let’s talk about your career - webinar recap

Career concerns are one of the most common reasons people get in touch with LawCare. People begin to question if law is right for them – because the pressure feels relentless, or their role isn’t what they expected. For some, this leads to thoughts of looking for a new role or leaving the sector altogether.

We were joined by

Eric Rugundu – Client Relationship Manager at International Bar Association, Certified Coach, and LawCare Champion
Frasia Wright – Founder and Managing Director of Frasia Wright Associates (recruitment company)
David McCahon – Chief of Staff at Mills & Reeve, Former General Counsel, Executive Coach and Mentor, and LawCare Champion
Kavita Varu – Lawyer, speaker, and professional DJ
Nick O’ Neill – Chair

Why legal careers are changing?

The panel agreed that legal careers are no longer following a single, linear path. As Nick reflected, many in the profession once expected to move seamlessly from trainee to solicitor to partner. But that model is changing fast.

Kavita shared how her definition of success has shifted throughout her career. Once focused on meeting targets in private practice, she later prioritised flexibility to support family life. Now, she has built a career that balances three roles — solicitor, DJ and music lawyer — around what matters most to her. “You evolve as a person, you evolve as a lawyer,” she said.

David spoke about exploring different career paths across the Bar, government, in-house roles, and legal operations, highlighting how flexibility and curiosity helped him find his direction. “There’s so much flexibility in the legal market,” he said. “Everyone’s career looks different.”

Why people are rethinking their roles?

Eric, who coaches lawyers at different stages of their careers, noted that many people reconsider their paths because of stress, high workloads and workplace culture. “People imagine their careers will follow a straight line, but that’s rarely the reality,” he said. “There are more options than people think.”

Razia shared how she sees this every day in legal recruitment. Many lawyers want to move roles or shift sectors to align work with their personal values. Transferable skills like communication, research, negotiation and policy work often open doors to new roles both in and outside of traditional practice.

Support and leadership matter

A recurring theme was the importance of supportive leadership. David highlighted how regular career conversations, mentoring and development plans can help retain talented people who might otherwise leave. “It’s about investing in people, not holding them back,” he said.

Eric stressed that coaching and mentoring can help people clarify their values and build confidence to make changes. “The best thing you can do for yourself is to invest the time to really look at what matters to you,” he said.

Common barriers, and how to overcome them

The panel discussed the role of fear, lack of confidence and rejection in career change. Rejection is part of the process, Nick noted, and shouldn’t be seen as a reflection of personal worth. Razia advised seeking feedback, refining applications, and using networks for support. Kavita encouraged people to “go with their gut” and take action when something doesn’t feel right.

Embracing new opportunities

The conversation also turned to technology and AI, with the panel agreeing that embracing change can create new opportunities in legal operations, innovation, and client service. “Run towards opportunity, not away from it,” said David.

Final thoughts

Each panellist shared one key piece of advice for those questioning their careers:

Kavita: “Go for it. The world is your oyster.”
David: “Set a clear intention and timeline.”
Eric: “Don’t do it alone — find support.”
Razia: “Be honest about what matters to you and say it out loud.”

The session ended with a clear message: legal careers can take many shapes. There are more ways to build meaningful and sustainable careers in law than ever before – and with the right support, courage and leadership, change is not just possible, it’s powerful.