The legal profession has long been associated with the hustle and bustle of city centre offices, long commutes, and a rigid schedule that often far exceeds the typical 9-5.
However, for many lawyers in the UK, this traditional office environment can feel stifling. Rush-hour traffic, noisy colleagues, and interruptions can chip away at productivity and wellbeing. If you’re a lawyer who craves a more flexible and focused work experience, then consider this: what if your ideal workspace wasn’t a cramped office cubicle, but a dedicated desk in your home, a sun-drenched terrace overseas, or almost anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi connection?
In this article, we explore how lawyers can make that a reality, creating their ideal working environment outside of the traditional law office set up.
At Setfords, we believe in a better way of working. As pioneers of platform law, we empower lawyers to craft their ideal working environment – whatever that may look like for them.
Working as a remote consultant lawyer has many benefits, from escaping the commute to promoting a healthier work-life balance. It’s also rapidly increasingly in popularity, with Setfords being the top hiring law firm in the UK in 2023, out of both platform and traditional firms.
Defining your workspace
One of the first things to do when creating an ideal working environment is carving out an area that’s solely dedicated to work. This might be a whole office room, or just a quiet corner of your home. The key here is to ensure that it’s as free as possible from clutter and distractions. Investing in a comfortable chair and desk can be hugely beneficial, as this allows you to tailor your workspace to your needs.
The area should also be well lit to reduce the risk of eye strain and make it the kind of place you want to spend time in. Having a dedicated space for work helps create a distinct separation from work and home life, promoting a healthy work-life balance even if you’re working from home.
Reduce distractions
Now you have your defined workspace, it’s time to think about how you can best maintain your productivity. This means trying to build a workspace that is free from distractions as much as possible. For example, if you live with others, set clear boundaries around your working hours and the fact that you need minimal interruptions during those hours.
You may also want to invest in some noise cancelling headphones to help you concentrate if there’s other noise going on around you. To help prevent online distractions, consider tools like website blockers to prevent you from visiting social media or online shopping sites during focused working hours!
Prioritise your schedule
One of the key advantages of being a consultant lawyer, or a remote working lawyer in general, is that you have more flexibility when it comes to setting your own schedule. However, establishing a solid routine is essential to make sure you stay focused and productive. Scheduling in time for breaks or setting core working hours can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and reduce the risk of burnout.
Furthermore, implementing daily routines or rituals can help mark the transition between work and home life. This can look like anything that works for you, such as exercise in the morning, or finishing your day with reading or meditation. These routines help prepare you for work or help you wind down, and also signal to your brain that it’s time for either work or rest.
Focus on wellbeing
Remote working can be hugely beneficial, as long as you’re looking after both your physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise is key, whether it’s taking a walk on your lunch break or an exercise class with a friend after work. You may even want to consider a standing desk, to ensure you’re not sat down all day.
Don’t forget, mental health is just as important as physical wellbeing. Make time for social interactions, even if they are virtual. Use video calls to connect with colleagues regularly and arrange to see friends during breaks from work. Practising mindfulness or meditation can also help reduce stress and improve focus, so you may want to consider adding it to your routine.
Leverage tech and tools
Regular communication with clients and colleagues is essential, not just to maintain a good level of service but also to help reduce feelings of loneliness when working remotely. Make the most of any tools provided by your firm, including email and messaging platforms. These will help you stay connected and help maintain a sense of community and teamwork, which can sometimes be lost with remote working setups.
Continuous learning and development
The legal industry is always evolving, and more and more firms are recognising that remote working and platform law firms don’t hinder professional growth. To capitalise on this, make use of online courses and webinars to stay up to date with the latest developments in your field.
You may even want to seek mentoring and networking opportunities for valuable insights and career advancement opportunities, as well as to ensure you’re keeping on top of your professional development. At Setfords, we believe that remote-working lawyers shouldn’t have to compromise on networking and development opportunities, so we offer plenty of virtual and in-person events for these to take place.
Why does it matter?
The ideal working environment looks different for everyone. Whatever it may mean to you, crafting that environment is a process based on trial and error, as well as implementing new developments as and when you can. Overall, with a dedicated space, healthy work-life boundaries, and a focus on wellbeing, you are well on your way to benefiting from the enhanced productivity, wellbeing, and overall job satisfaction that being a remote working lawyer can offer
As pioneers in the platform law space, we understand the impact that remote working and flexibility can have on our lawyers’ lives. As such, we’re committed to providing our consultant lawyers with all the support and resources they need to thrive. For more information about how to become a consultant lawyer with Setfords and enjoy the benefits of remote working, please get in touch below.
