Ever feel like your work as a lawyer just doesn’t fit around the demands of your life? You’re not alone.
Meet Kayleigh Wright, a Consultant Licensed Conveyancer specialising in residential property, who has been with Setfords since April 2025. She’s also a mum to a child with special educational needs (SEN) and visual impairment (VI), a sports coach, and a player in a women’s football team.
Before Setfords, Kayleigh’s working life looked very different: asking permission to attend appointments for her child, the constant pull between work and home, physically present but mentally stuck on tomorrow’s 9am meeting.
Change was needed: something that would allow her to thrive at work, at home, and within herself. This is where Setfords comes in.
Recognised as a Whole Person, Not Just a Lawyer
“This is why I chose consultancy: it’s the only model that recognises I am a whole person.”
For lawyers like Kayleigh, whose life includes caregiving and community involvement, a traditional 9-5 can feel particularly stressful. The pressure to constantly account for every hour leaves little space to show up fully, at work or at home.
What could you do with more flexibility? With Setfords, consultants shape their work around their lives. They have the freedom to work remotely, manage their own hours, and build their practice around their own priorities. For Kayleigh, this was a huge bonus.
“Joining Setfords allowed me to move away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ career and build a life that accommodates my non-negotiables: my family, my community, and my own mental well-being. It hasn’t just changed my job; it has fundamentally improved my ability to show up for my family and my community.
My life doesn’t always fit into a standard 9-to-5 box. Caring for a child with VI and SEN requires a high degree of advocacy, medical appointments, and emotional presence. At Setfords, I am no longer ‘asking for permission’ to attend a school review or a specialist appointment. I set my own schedule, meaning I can be the Mum I need to be without the ‘desk guilt’ of traditional firm structure.”
Better Work, Not Just Flexible Work
This flexibility leaves plenty of room for consultants to work in the way that best suits them. For Kayleigh, this looks like taking every Wednesday off. This mid-week reset looks different each week – sometimes it’s rest, sometimes it’s connection, sometimes it’s just space to breathe. And that’s the point: true flexibility that works around you and your life.
“Taking every Wednesday off as a dedicated ‘Me time’ day has a massive ripple effect on my loved ones. By giving myself that space to recharge – whether it’s a duvet day or a coffee with my own Mum – I show up for the rest of the week as a happier, more regulated parent and partner. My family gets the best version of me, not the leftovers.”
This freedom has also changed Kayleigh’s client relationships. Without billing targets to worry about, she can focus on delivering high-quality legal work. Plus, she hit an impressive 100 instructions in just five months as a Setfords consultant, building a thriving business without compromising client care or work-life balance.
“I now choose the clients I work with and how I manage those relationships. This transparency and directness allow me to set realistic expectations. My clients value my expertise, and because I am happier and more balanced, I can provide them with a better, more focused service.”
Support That Makes It All Possible
Working independently and building a business doesn’t mean working alone. Setfords provides industry-leading support covering admin, accounts, secretarial, compliance, marketing, wellbeing and more. Plus, it’s all included in the fee split, with no hidden charges. It’s the engine running behind the scenes that lets consultants focus on their clients and their lives.
So, despite working remotely, Kayleigh never feels isolated. The support is efficient, solution-focused, and there the moment she needs it.
“In short, the support doesn’t just help me do my job; it protects the work-life balance I’ve worked so hard to create. It’s the safety net that allows me to be a high-flying lawyer and a present, active member of my family at the same time.”
A Life That Finally Fits Her
Overall, working with Setfords has enabled Kayleigh to continue practicing law without compromising on other areas of her life, which is exactly what our model is designed to do. She says:
“I’ve moved from a life where I was constantly ‘squeezed’ to fit into a rigid structure, to one where my career finally expands to fit the beautiful, complex reality of being a Mum, a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend, a coach, and a teammate.”
Considering Consultancy?
Kayleigh has some advice for lawyers who are thinking about making the move but aren’t quite sure:
“Consultant life at Setfords suits a broad range of lawyers. While the lack of a guaranteed salary may seem daunting, the rewards are significant. The business development team provides excellent support to help generate income and secure new client opportunities.”
Kayleigh’s story shows what’s possible when lawyers take back control of their careers. If you’re considering consultancy, we’d love to chat. Get in touch for a confidential conversation about what life at Setfords could look like for you.
