I've been a barrister for a few years now, and before that was a solicitor for some time. I know how the system works. Here are my answers:

1. Do you like your job?

I love my job. It's fabulous.

2. how do the find the hours with children?
I am a single Mum to a Year 1 boy and a pre-schooler. I have been on my own for nearly 4 years now. I do all my preparation either in the afternoon or after the children have gone to bed. Sometimes this means late nights (I prefer that to early mornings!)

Barristers have more flexibility in relation to working hours than solicitors. I can choose when to work and when not to work. However I don't get paid if I don't work... so most of the time I just work! I can take days off when, for example, it's the first day of school/kinder duty day/just feel like it/wanna go shopping...

3. What special areas did you focus on in your studies?
I did four electives: Family Law, Negotiation and Mediation, Forensic Medicine, and Advanced Family Law.


4. Do you think mature aged entries are welcomed into the workforce (this one worries me).?
In the country, they'll take whatever they can get, as most law grads will only work in the city. Most junior solicitors gravitate towards the city eventually anyway, as they find they don't like the country lifestyle. However, I know a number of "later lawyers" who are doing well as solicitors - as long as they realise how much there is that they do NOT know....

It really depends on what you do before you become a solicitor. The ones I know who are doing well generally have some form of justice/social work/nursing background, for example police, former DOCS/DHS workers, people who have worked in Courts.

With regard to the JD/LLB, they have the same end result... I haven't seen any difference between them work-wise.

Good luck, whatever you decide!