Late entrants get their teeth into the legal profession

Greg Waldron and David Corless-Smith, who practised dentistry for ten years before setting up the Dental Law Partnership in 2000, both decided on the change because they wanted to do something more intellectually challenging, and now often take calls from dentists who are considering making the same move.

Mr Waldron says that even with years of success behind him, the transition can be difficult.

His worst moment came when he was in a cut-price supermarket and discovered he did not have enough money to cover the weekly shopping.

'I had to start putting things back, and just thought to myself: "Why the hell am I doing this, and why am I putting my family through it?"'

However, since then, the firm has gone from strength to strength as it is the only outfit specialising in dental negligence claims in the UK.

Mr Corless-Smith, who also spent time in the army and at the bar, says they now have the best of both worlds.

'I was an NHS dentist, and found that it became very much a treadmill, conveyor-belt existence that spoilt my enjoyment of the job.

But I still find dentistry interesting, and in a way we are still doing it now.'

The pair hope that they can have a positive impact on the dentistry profession, despite accusations that they are poachers turned gamekeepers.

Mr Waldron says: 'When I retire, I would like to think that I have done something towards improving standards for patients and modifying people's behaviour through the cases we have won.'

Single mother Elizabeth Miller has just completed her LPC at 39 and has been offered a three-month training trial at Walter Gray in Portsmouth.

She previously enjoyed stints as a cake decorator, an ice skating instructor, a traffic warden, a directory enquiries operator and a prison matron.

Her brother is Legal Aid Practitioners Group director Richard Miller.

Although Ms Miller admits her latest career move came about when she 'impulsively' signed up for a legal access course, it was also fuelled by her family's experiences - her father was a social worker who dealt with appeals for welfare benefits.

Since taking the plunge, she has enjoyed a surprisingly smooth ride both academically and financially: 'It has meant a lot of work and studying, but it has not been as hard as I thought it would be.

Because my son and I are alone, I also got a grant and money from the state hardship fund which made things a bit easier.'

Ms Miller says working shifts has prepared her for the tough life the duty solicitor rota will bring.

'When I was a traffic warden I dealt with people from all ages and backgrounds, so I think this is also a useful thing to bring with me,' she adds.

If Ms Miller brings one lesson to her future in the law, it is to give it 100% and never look back: 'I have come to look at life in the way that you just keep going and make the most of what you've done.'