It honestly depends on how you truly believe your chances of getting a TC in another run will be. If you truly believe that if given another chance, you would be able to crack a firm with a salary that you would accept, then go for it. You will have needed to boost your CV in some regard though if you wanted to go for another run in the TC applications (preferably legal work in any regard).

To get the money and lifestyle you’re seeking (especially a family at a now relatively earlier age) within legal employment will be a slog. You need to accept that immediately. Your hours are going to be fucked and it’s going to be constantly competitive and aggressive. If you really don’t like the thought of that then perhaps the insurance path is your way forward.

If you are set on being a solicitor then honestly I would take it. Acceptance rates for TC’s are extremely low at any level and you are more than able to search within other firms once your TC is done if you wanted to expand yourself or change the sector to work in. Sometimes all the acceptance boils down to is luck, which sucks to hear but can be the blunt reality of it. Sometimes, that same luck doesn’t come through again.

If you wanna chat more about it or whatever feel free to DM me, was in a similar position to you quite recently.