Can Consultant Solicitors Really Achieve Better Work-Life Balance?

The legal profession is, unfortunately, no stranger to the term ‘burnout’. Tight deadlines, high demands, and the weight of responsibility can lead to long working hours and cause significant stress. Whilst the topic of work-life balance has reigned strong for several decades now, it’s only in the last few years that we’ve really started to relate this to wellbeing. Now, people are truly beginning to understand the impact of a life weighted too much in work and, especially if that work has a tendency to inflate stress levels, the toll it can take on our physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, both workplaces and professionals have been seeking ways of better managing the balance and introducing more flexibility, often finding that doing so has either little impact on productivity or, in some cases, can even increase it.

Of course, the legal profession has a reputation of being a bit behind the times when it comes to new ways of working and modernisation. Yet, many legal professionals have found a way to achieve a better work-life balance through becoming Consultant Solicitors.

Consultant Solicitors are self-employed but usually work through a firm, choosing the client work they wish to take on and controlling their workload.

There are many benefits of this, and we’ll certainly cover those in this blog, but we’ll also explore the downsides and ask that all-important question - can Consultant Solicitors really achieve better work-life balance, or is this wishful thinking? First, let’s take a look at the benefits:

Benefits of Becoming a Consultant Solicitor

Ability to manage workload

Starting with the obvious and often key driver, unbinding yourself from the necessity of having to keep up a workload dictated by an employer can be freeing. Not only can you take on less, but you can often choose the kind of work you most enjoy doing.

Greater flexibility

Traditionally, law firms will operate 9-5 hours - at least on paper. Yet more hours are often required when caseloads are heavier and/or deadlines are tight. Working independently means setting your own hours and working when you are most productive, which can be different for different people. It can mean more time outdoors in daylight, which can fuel wellbeing and boost productivity. For parents, it can mean making the school run, and for those looking after elderly relatives, more quality time spent with them.

Earning potential

Overall, due to retaining a high percentage of client fees, Consultant Solicitors can earn more. Of course, a percentage of fees will go to the platform firm you work through, should you choose to work with one rather than consulting independently, and your earning potential is dependent on how much work you take on, but overall, you can expect your rates to surpass your former salary. Support of a platform firm

One option for solicitors wanting more flexibility and/or to increase earnings is to go completely independent. However, becoming a Consultant Solicitor can offer many of the same benefits with the support of the platform firm. A platform firm does not only direct work to you but many also offer administrative support, marketing, software, insurance, etc. They also offer the chance to attend regular networking with other Consultant Solicitors, so you’re fully supported. A great firm for this is Nexa Law, who I’ve worked with for over two years now. You can find out more here.

Challenges of Being a Consultant Solicitor

Whilst there are many benefits to becoming a Consultant Solicitor, there are counterarguments to almost all of them. As well as exploring these, take note of my top tips, which should help you overcome, or at least minimise these challenges.

Flexibility can increase pressure

In some cases, flexibility is necessary for us to juggle multiple responsibilities. For instance, playing more of a role in childcare, which of course is rewarding, but can mean we’re not working at times when we’re most productive, because there is a need to blend in with other routines and demands. Some Consultant Solicitors achieve better work-life balance by ditching the 9-5, but this can lead to early morning or late-night working. Whilst this works for some, others find themselves struggling to find their rhythm.

Top Tip - In the early days and weeks of self-employment, pay close attention to the times when you are more and less productive. It may be that multiple short dedicated work periods throughout the day keep you energised and able to respond to and manage multiple clients effectively. Or, you may need longer working periods to get into that place of focus and flow. The advantage of flexible working hours is finding a way that works for you, personally. But this may take time and adjustments may be necessary. Stay in tune with yourself and be prepared to compromise if necessary.

Isolation risk

Autonomy can come at a cost, and that is that you’ll mostly be working alone. When faced with difficult decisions, you may find yourself without colleagues to soundboard with or superiors to go to for support. Whilst most will not go down the Consultant Solicitor route until they’re established in their career, there may still be times when you question if the office politics were really all that bad and you yearn to be in the company of colleagues again. Top Tip - Make the most of any support your platform firm has to give and look out for other networks to join too. You’re self-employed now and there are an abundance of networks for lone professionals to network and find like-minded people facing similar challenges. You needn’t join a high-fee subscription community either - there are plenty of low-cost or even free social media groups that can offer a sense of camaraderie and support.

Being your own CEO

In some, this idea fuels feelings of freedom and success; in others, it can provoke descending dread. The reality is that once self-employed, you’ll experience both. Times when you love being your own boss, and times when the pressure and demands are more of a source of stress. The key is not to underestimate the endeavour. It’s not for everyone to manage their own time and income. In all honesty, some find themselves more suited to employment, and that’s just fine. Being self-employed asks more of you than just being good at your job - you’ll have additional financial and legal obligations and you’ll need that ability to manage your own time and workload without the support of a ‘boss’. Top Tip - Do your research and understand the obligations and tasks you’ll be responsible for in addition to your casework. Work out how you will manage this, including putting aside additional working hours for this and consider, if necessary, undergoing some learning and/or investing in software to support the running of your business.

Change in the support model

Whilst some platform firms offer their Consultant Solicitors extra support, including paralegals and administrative support, this can often come at an additional cost. Therefore, some Consultant Solicitors choose to go without, meaning they then need to find the time to execute their own support work, or run the risk of losing money.

Those who do opt for the additional platform firm support often find it very different from the support received in a legal firm. Paralegals who work for platform firms may be assigned on availability, meaning you may not always work with the same paralegal, so the relationship built is different to that of working with a singular, in-house assistant provided by a traditional law firm.

Top Tip – You don’t have to employ someone full, or even part-time, to get the same support. Jam Virtual Support offers paralegal services to Consultant Solicitors and small law firms on a contractor basis, built around the flexibility Consultant Solicitors need. With over a decade of legal experience and a commitment to excellence, adaptability and reliability, our clients benefit from both highly professional and personal support. From one-off support to retainer packages, we offer paralegal and administrative support to alleviate much of the pressure that can come with being a Consultant Solicitor, leaving you free to fully enjoy the flexibility and freedom that comes with self-employment. Get in touch to find out more or get a quote.