The legal industry has seen a significant shift towards more flexible and autonomous working in recent years. Traditional law firms, with their long hours and rigid pathways to success, are slowly falling out of favour amongst some lawyers as they look towards alternative career paths.
Many lawyers are drawn to the freedom and potential that being a self-employed consultant lawyer offers at platform law firms like Setfords. If this is a path you’re thinking of pursuing (or you’re already a consultant lawyer!), one of the key considerations for long-term success is building a supportive community around yourself. This article explores how you can do this, with particular emphasis on the unique advantage of platform law with Setfords.
The ‘lone-wolf’ lawyer: the ideal or a myth?
The ideal of the ‘lone-wolf’ lawyer sounds appealing to many, with total freedom from traditional firms. However, in reality, going out completely on your own can be isolating. This is why platform firms offer the best of both worlds: the same autonomy that comes with running your own practice, with the added benefit of a built-in community.
Legal work often requires a certain level of collaboration, brainstorming, and sharing ideas with colleagues. So, this kind of community offers a vital safety net for consultant lawyers to ensure that, while they may be self-employed, they never feel alone.
A supportive community can offer:
- Professional development and the opportunity to share knowledge, best practices, and legal updates with your peers. This keeps you informed about what’s going on in the legal industry.
- Peer support. Navigating the challenges of being newly self-employed is far easier with a network of supportive colleagues who understand your situation.
- Business growth. Building a network of other lawyers allows for referrals and collaboration to help generate new business opportunities.
- Wellbeing. Humans are social creatures, and the legal profession can be demanding. Having a community you can rely on helps combat isolation and provides a space to both vent and celebrate successes.
Actionable tips for building your own community
The importance of community is not to be understated, but how can you build one of your own as a consultant lawyer? Here are some practical steps:
Join Online Legal Communities
There are plenty of online forums and social media groups on platforms such as LinkedIn. These spaces give you the chance to participate in discussions, share your expertise, and connect with other lawyers virtually.
Attend Industry Events
Similarly, in-person events can give you the chance for face-to-face networking, a great way to meet others. Conferences, seminars, and workshops are frequently hosted in the legal industry, and are often advertised online in places such as LinkedIn.
Embrace Platform Law
Platform law firms like Setfords can be a huge source of community in themselves. We have a dedicated Lawyer Wellbeing team who facilitate connections between our consultants, but also host a range of events to encourage networking. This built-in network can be invaluable for self-employed lawyers, especially those who are just starting out on their consultancy journey.
Utilise Technology
Making the most of online co-working platforms can help replicate the feeling of working alongside colleagues. These platforms offer virtual workspaces to promote collaboration even when consultants aren’t geographically close. Here at Setfords, we use Microsoft Teams and Viva Engage to ensure our consultants are kept up to date with each other and the firm as a whole.
Develop a Routine that Encourages Interaction
Working from home offers ultimate flexibility, but it’s important to develop your own routine that encourages interaction with others. For example, you could set up regular check-ins with some of your fellow consultants, to discuss work projects and simply to stay connected. You could also consider using co-working spaces for a change of scenery and a professional environment where you can work alongside others. These are also great places to build a community with those outside of the industry – it doesn’t all have to be lawyers!
Conclusion
Building a successful career as a consultant lawyer doesn’t mean sacrificing that all-important sense of community. By making the most of the resources available, you can build a thriving network of supportive colleagues. In the process, you’ll also find ample opportunities for professional development, improved business growth, and the sense of belonging and connection that is vital for anyone who is self-employed.
Ready to explore the world of platform law with Setfords? We’re the UK’s leading platform law firm with an emphasis on providing all the support you could need, from business development and marketing to admin and accounts. That’s exactly why our business is ‘law for people, by people.’ Community truly is at the heart of everything we do.
We’re looking for UK-qualified lawyers with five or more years of PQE. If this sounds like you, get in touch today to arrange a confidential conversation about where platform law with Setfords can take you.
