Exploring Legal Consultancy as a Career

The legal profession has undergone significant transformation in recent years. For lawyers who are seeking greater flexibility, autonomy, or improved work-life balance, legal consultancy may be the alternative to explore. An increasing number of solicitors are moving away from traditional law firm roles in favour of a model that offers more control over how and when they work - which consultancy can help offer. We explore key considerations around legal consultancy as a career choice - with a focus on self-employed solicitors working for a law firm.

What are the benefits of a consultancy model?

Legal consultancy can enable you to operate as a self-employed solicitor. Many practice as consultants working under well established, SRA regulated law firms.

Typically, the firm will manage essential issues such as regulatory compliance, indemnity insurance, administrative systems, and billing. The consultant will practise in their area of law but have the ability to choose which clients they work with and manage their workload independently.

Key benefits (depending on the relevant firm and role) can include the following:

• An appealing aspect of consultancy is the flexibility it offers. The consultant can generally decide how much you want to work, when to work and from where. As such, this way of working can fit around personal and professional commitments. It also affords a chance to work on matters the individual truly enjoys.
• Consultancy can also be highly rewarding. Generally, a consultant can retain a significant proportion of billings compared to a salaried position and may also have the freedom to set their own pricing depending on their firm’s policies.
• Legal consultancy can also be easier and free up more time. For example, consultants will typically work from home and may not need to pay overheads, as the firms they contract with will cover key costs.
• Wellbeing can also improve through consultancy. For instance, consultants will typically not have billing targets and can take time off when they wish, meaning job satisfaction can be better if this model suits the individual.
• It can also allow the chance to develop strong business development skills. A consultant can learn a lot about business development and grow their own network and income through investing in their own personal brand.

Are there drawbacks to this model too?

Yes - legal consultancy can come with challenges also. As a consultant, you are responsible for generating and sustaining your own client base. Without work being assigned by a firm, you will need to bring in your own work and this can be a challenge. It can also mean income is not fixed and there may be quieter times where income dips, which can be challenging.

Self-employment also brings a range of additional opportunities e.g. the need to submit your tax return yourself, work independently without the benefits of colleagues in a traditional office setting and motivate yourself. As such, this way of working can be highly difficult for some – who may prefer the structure and certainty of an employee set up.

If you are unsure about whether this is the right route, it is vital to do thorough research and you may wish to speak to a reputable recruiter for tailored advice and support. It may be that consultancy can offer you a lucrative and fulfilling career path, but it is vital to understand fully what this career choice entails and make an informed decision.

How The Legists Can Support You

The Legists specialise in helping legal professionals find roles that align with their values, goals, and lifestyle. Whether you are ready to make a move into consultancy or still exploring your options, we are here to guide you through the process.

Recognised as the ‘Best Search Platform to Legal Jobs’ by the Business Elite Awards in 2022, The Legists has also received awards for innovation, client service, and legal technology excellence in 2025.

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