When you reach a certain age, which I have to concede applies to me, you are repeatedly asked:

“When are you going to retire?”or even worse, “are you still working?”

People who ask me these questions often know that I do not seem to welcome them. As a self-employed barrister and mediator, I find that the idea of “retirement” feels almost alien to the way I live and work.

Finding purpose beyond retirement

Recently, I enjoyed reading a piece in Hamish McRae’s excellent newsletter Armchair Economics. McRae discussed the inevitability of a rising retirement age, but also identified positive features, at least for some people, under the right conditions.

The first of these is simple: you must continue to enjoy your work.

I definitely tick that box. While litigation has become increasingly process-driven, that is more than compensated for by the interpersonal and intellectual aspects of mediation. Every mediation is different and presents a new challenge; something that continues to motivate me.

The value of continued practice

Secondly, you must believe that you are still providing value.

As a self-employed barrister, this is not difficult to assess. If clients think you are no longer adding value, they will quickly instruct someone else; though I would not recommend that particular course of action in my case.

For me, value in legal practice means bringing insight, experience, and judgment to complex issues where empathy and precision both matter deeply.

The portfolio career: A lifelong approach

Hamish McRae also referred to Charles Handy’s concept of the portfolio worker; someone who undertakes work on a task-by-task basis rather than having a single, core role.

As a self-employed barrister, I have been a portfolio worker throughout my career. The advantages of this model become clearer with age: the ability to choose the cases I take on, engage in mediation, write, and mentor others. These all contribute to a renewed sense of purpose, autonomy and value.

Working with energy and perspective

McRae revealed that he is approaching his 82nd birthday, while Charles Handy worked well into his 90s. That was heartening to read.

My own objective is to reach 50 years at the Bar, a milestone I am due to achieve in two years’ time. Whether I manage another 50 years remains to be seen, but I suspect I will continue to bristle at the “R” word for quite some time.

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