I help lawyers make confident, well-timed decisions - whether you’re exploring a move, positioning for promotion, or focused on making an impact in your current role.
Career coaching for lawyers at a crossroads
Wherever you are in your legal career, there IS a way forward...
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What's your goal right now?
Land your ideal next role
For lawyers who want clarity, confidence and a strategic job search that leads to the right role for you - not just any role.
Secure your next promotion
Make an impact to advance your career
For lawyers who want to establish authority, build relationships and showcase your value to the business, their stakeholders and sponsors
Lawyers who work with me are usually aiming for one of these outcomes
Select the pathway that reflects where you are now to see the coaching options designed for it
For lawyers progressing towards leadership appointments or partnership track who want to build credibility, articulate your value, and position yourself as the logical next leader
LAW FIRM
PATH-TO-PARTNERSHIP COACHING
book a career strategy session
IN-HOUSE PROMOTION COACHING
PATH-TO-PARTNERSHIP COACHING
IN-HOUSE
You don’t need one-size-fits-all advice
You need someone who understands the politics, the pressure and the expectations of legal careers – and who can help you create a plan that feels right for you.
Here are the various ways we can work together to make that happen.
A structured 3-month programme designed around your unique career goals. Over five coaching sessions, you’ll build clarity, confidence, and control of your legal career. Along the way, you’ll get tailored support, practical resources, and personalised guidance to help you move forward — whether you’re aiming for promotion, landing a new role, or making an impact in your curret one.
Personalised Career Coaching
Here you are
going to state the challenges and frustrations
Even the brightest lawyers hit challenges they don’t feel equipped for.
Do any of these sound familiar?
You’re at a career crossroads, unsure what direction to take next or how to decide between very different options.
You’ve got a specific challenge on the horizon – an interview, appraisal or promotion process – and you want to feel prepared, confident and ready to show your potential.
Your confidence has taken a knock and imposter syndrome or low self-esteem are making you doubt yourself and feel like others are doing so much better than you.
You’re deciding between opportunities, but you’re worried about making the wrong choice - unsure which one offers what matters to you or moves you closer to your long-term goals.
Or maybe you’ve realised you’ve been drifting, reacting to whatever comes your way instead of steering your career with intention.
What if you had a clear roadmap for
moving forward?
Build a sustainable career: Balance ambition with well-being so your success doesn’t come at the expense of your life outside work
Get clear on your direction: Stop second-guessing and map a career path that excites you
Show up with confidence: Walk into interviews, appraisals, and high-stakes conversations ready to demonstrate your value
One that respected both your ambition (and the legal career you want) and your well-being (and the life you want outside work)?
With that foundation, you can finally:
Make smart career moves: Choose opportunities that align with your long-term goals, whether that’s promotion, a new role, or partnership
Hi, I’m Paula McMullan
Why trust me as your legal career coach
the Career Coach for Lawyers who want to stop second-guessing themselves and start moving forward with clarity and confidence. I’ve spent over 25 years in and around the legal profession –as a lawyer, recruiter and coach, helping lawyers at every stage of their career.
I’ve been where you are. I trained and practised as a lawyer, so I know what it’s like to work under the same pressures you face — and what it takes to thrive in them.
I’ve coached lawyers at every level From trainees to partners, and across private practice, corporate and government legal teams – so I understand the different challenges in each setting.
I’m trusted by top firms. Leading organizations like Linklaters and other global firms bring me in to coach their lawyers — and you get access to the same level of support.
Here are just a few reasons why lawyers trust me to help them move forward in their careers:
I combine legal career experience with practical tools. My approach blends insights from psychology, business and leadership, so you get strategies that actually work in your world .
I don’t give generic career advice. Everything we do is tailored to your context, your goals and the realities of your working life.
I know how decisions get made. I’ve sat in countless promotion, appraisal, and recruitment discussions, so I know what partners and hiring managers are really looking for (and how you can get noticed.)
"Working with Paula has changed my outlook on my career "
— Associate, 6 yrs’ PQE, US firm
I feel confident, optimistic, and finally in control of where I’m heading
HERE'S WHY I CAN HELP with that
I'm here to help confused lawyers who want to
fast-track their career success
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And that's how I learned that what I do is actually totally unique and special.
"“I needed to step up as a leader. "
— Senior in-house lawyer, FMCG
Coaching was a big factor in me becoming Chief Legal Officer — and winning an industry award.
A focused, 90-minute coaching session to cut through the noise and map your next move with clarity.
Ideal when you have a specific challenge — like deciding between roles, preparing for a performance discussion, or untangling your career direction — and want targeted guidance you can put into action straight away.
Career Strategy Session
“I dreaded my appraisals…"
— Senior Associate
Paula helped me showcase my contributions with confidence and steer the discussion so it reflected my value.
Prepare strategically for high-stakes interviews so you can show up confident and ready. Across 2-3 tailored sessions, we’ll rehearse your key messages, sharpen how to present your strengths, and run mock interviews with feedback — so you can walk into interviews knowing exactly how to make the impression that counts.
Interview Preparation Package
“I secured a Head of Legal role at my target company "
— Senior derivatives counsel, in-house
something that felt out of reach before coaching
Specialist coaching for senior associates aiming for partnership. Together, we’ll build a compelling business case, increase your visibility, and prepare you for partnership interviews — so you can step into leadership with confidence and credibility.
This package is fully tailored to your firm’s criteria and your personal goals.
Path-to-Partnership Coaching
"I didn’t know how to build my case for partnership."
— Senior Associate promoted to Partner
Paula gave me the strategy and confidence to demonstrate my value.
