Case Study - Senior Legal Leader Navigating Career Transition with Confidence

Client Profile

Miriam (48) was a highly accomplished senior solicitor who had spent over 20 years working in a tightly regulated international banking environment. Respected, trusted and deeply principled, she was known for her integrity, diligence and ability to manage complex, high-stakes projects.

Most recently, Miriam led the successful closure of the Irish arm of the bank, a demanding and emotionally charged assignment. She worked excessive hours to ensure every employee was treated with dignity, that legal obligations were met flawlessly, and that the process concluded without incident.

In doing so, Miriam put everything into the organisation and nothing into planning her own future.

The Challenge

Beneath Miriam’s calm professionalism was a growing sense of panic.

She was still mid-career and needed to earn a living, yet:

• She had not interviewed in over 20 years

• She had never actively applied for roles in the open market

• She had not articulated her transferable skill set outside her organisation

• She felt disconnected from the current job market

• She lacked a clear narrative for “what next”

When the intensity of the closure project finally eased, Miriam was faced with an uncomfortable reality: she had spent years safeguarding others’ futures without considering her own.

This was a frightening place to be, particularly for someone so capable.

The Coaching Approach

Miriam engaged in a structured career transition coaching programme, designed to support senior professionals through periods of uncertainty and change.

Rather than focusing immediately on job titles or applications, we took a whole-life perspective, creating stability first and clarity second.

The Process

Stabilising the Foundations

We began by looking at Miriam’s full life context:

• Family and personal responsibilities

• Where she lived and whether relocation was realistic

• Her capacity for work after an intense period of burnout-level effort

• Her financial situation and income requirements

This created a realistic, grounded framework for decision-making and reduced anxiety.

Reframing Identity and Confidence

Miriam had spent years operating at a senior level but had lost sight of her own value outside her employer.

We explored:

• How she was viewed by peers, her team and senior leadership

• The impact and legacy of her work

• The strengths she consistently demonstrated under pressure

This work rebuilt confidence and helped her see herself as the market would, not through fear, but through evidence.

Clarifying Purpose and Career Direction

Beyond “finding another job,” Miriam wanted something more:

• A sense of purpose

• Work that aligned with her values

• The opportunity to earn well while doing meaningful, engaging work

We expanded her thinking beyond linear career moves and allowed space to design what she genuinely wanted next.

Creating a Go-To-Market Narrative

Together, we crafted a clear, authentic career narrative, a narrative that Miriam felt comfortable owning and communicating.

This included:

• A strong professional profile and “calling card”

• Language that reflected her strengths without self-promotion discomfort

• A positioning that aligned with her values and aspirations

  
  

Practical Execution: Skills and Strategy

To ensure Miriam felt fully prepared, we worked on:

• Interview skills

• Presentation and executive presence

• Approaching opportunities with confidence rather than urgency

As part of the transition strategy, we agreed that a short-term contract role would provide financial security while giving her space to pursue her ideal role thoughtfully rather than reactively.

The Outcome

With clarity, confidence and a solid foundation in place, Miriam’s ideal role did not take long to emerge.

What had once felt overwhelming became manageable and purposeful.

Coaching provided Miriam with:

• A safety net during uncertainty

• A structured guide through transition

• Confidence in her value and direction

• The ability to move forward with intention rather than fear

At a pivotal stage in her career, Miriam transitioned not just into a new role, but into a future she had consciously designed.

Key Takeaway

Career transitions, even for the most accomplished professionals, can feel destabilising. With the right structure, reflection

and support, they can also become powerful opportunities for renewal, clarity, and growth.