
Tom Watkins
Litigation Lawyer
Now freed of the administrative burden of running a small practice I can concentrate on fee earning.
+Their StoryIf you’re a solicitor seeking independence, you may be weighing up whether to become a sole practitioner or join a firm as a consultant solicitor. Both paths offer freedom, but one may give you greater support and fewer risks.
To set up as a sole practitioner, you must:
Meet all compliance and regulatory obligations, including file management, conflict checks, data protection, client money handling, and complaints.
Manage or outsource essential business functions such as marketing, bookkeeping, and IT support.
In many ways, you’re wearing two hats: solicitor and business owner. It’s a path that’s full of potential, but it does come with its own pressures and responsibilities.
While the idea of total independence and becoming a sole practitioner can be appealing, there are real challenges to consider:
These challenges don’t make it impossible to become a sole practitioner, but they do highlight the importance of thinking carefully before taking that leap.
Becoming a consultant solicitor gives you many of the freedoms of running your own firm, but with far fewer risks and lower overheads.
As a consultant solicitor with Taylor Rose, you can:
Consultancy allows you to grow your practice and develop your client base with confidence, supported by the stability of a nationally recognised law firm, where Taylor Rose takes the stress from you, handling the background work so you can concentrate on your clients.
Legal consultancy offers a smart alternative: independence with support, growth without risk, and the opportunity to build your practice with confidence.
At Taylor Rose, we support hundreds of consultant solicitors and lawyers across the UK, helping them thrive through flexibility and shared success.
Overall, whether you’re a consultant solicitor, conveyancer, or lawyer, legal consultancy offers exciting opportunities to grow your career and a flexible, supported alternative to becoming a sole practitioner.
If you’re ready to explore a more supported route to independence, contact our Consultant Recruitment Team on 020 3551 8100 to learn more about joining our growing network.
Our consultancy model removes one of the biggest barriers to working independently. You’ll benefit from comprehensive PII cover, operational support, and the freedom to shape your career. With Taylor Rose, you can practice with confidence, experience genuine flexibility, and achieve the work-life balance you truly deserve.
To learn more about joining our consultant solicitor network, contact our Consultant Recruitment Team on 0203 55 18 100.
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At Taylor Rose, we believe legal professionals should have full transparency and control over their earning potential. Moving away from the traditional law firm structure allows consultants to define their own success by choosing how much they work, what they charge, and the clients they represent.
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