Retirement as Reinvention, Not Retreat!
In our recent Exploring Encores: Life After Law webinar we were joined by three former lawyers, each navigating distinct stages of their post-practice journeys:
Virginia Cannon, former in-house solicitor at BT and London Underground, now chair and trustee of multiple organisations and Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company.
Mike Rebeiro, former senior partner and international technology lawyer, currently chairing major charities while engaging in consultancy, authorship, and creative ventures.
Richard Baxter, former senior and managing partner at Stevens & Bolton, who shared his experience of orchestrating a thoughtful, phased transition from practice.
Together, they shared honest reflections on what happens when a legal career comes to a close; the emotional adjustments, the new opportunities and the value of planning thoughtfully for the next stage.
One clear theme emerged: Retirement is unique for everyone
Our speakers described Encore lives filled with chairing charities, leading organisational change, mentoring, writing, creative projects, and even organising music festivals. Far from stepping back, they were stepping into new ways to contribute and make an impact.
Virginia described her Encore as “pure serendipity,” discovering opportunities she had never imagined while practising law. From transforming charitable organisations to taking on the role of Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company, she found her post-law life richer in variety, learning, and fulfilment than she had anticipated.
Mike offered a similar perspective, combining chair roles at major charities with consultancy, writing on AI ethics, creative ventures, and personal exploration. Stepping away from one professional identity, he showed, can open the door to many others.
The Continuing Value of Legal Skills
A recurring insight was just how transferable legal skills are. Strategic thinking, judgement, governance, diplomacy, and commercial insight remain highly valued in a wide range of sectors, though lawyers often underestimate their alternative application.
Futurum Group’s Encore Coaching™ supports this transition by supporting lawyers identify their skills, position their experience for trustee and board roles and build confidence in the value they bring to new endeavours.
Identity Evolves, It Doesn’t Disappear
Law is rarely “just a job”; it’s a community and a source of identity.
Richard spoke openly about how coaching helped him navigate the emotional shift of leaving a firm he had devoted decades to. By planning a phased transition over several years, he avoided the sudden “cliff-edge” many fear, moving forward with purpose, preparation, and confidence.
Those who plan early, often three to five years before leaving practice, gain far greater clarity, choice, and confidence.
As Richard himself put it:
“By the time you retire, there shouldn’t be any surprises. It should be what you’ve chosen.”
Perhaps the most powerful insight came from Virginia, who continues to learn, contribute, and grow. Her experience demonstrates that a second career after law can be diverse, stimulating, and deeply rewarding.
At Futurum Group, this is the essence of an Encore. Retirement is not the end of the story. Rather, with the right planning, support, and perspective, it can be the most energising and meaningful chapter yet.
To receive a link to the webinar recording, please email sarah@futurumgroup.co.uk.