One of the key benefits of becoming a legal consultant is the chance to grow, not just in your career, but personally too, all while being part of a firm that truly values flexibility, independence, and a healthy work-life balance.
For many legal professionals, the traditional path doesn’t always align with their long-term goals or changing lifestyle. Consultancy offers a fresh alternative, one that gives you the freedom to shape your career in a way that works for you.
Sophie Durkin, Consultant Chartered Legal Executive & Partner at Taylor Rose, shares her story of stepping into consultancy. She reflects on creating a practice that truly fits her vision and working alongside a motivated, supportive team.
“After starting my career in conveyancing back in 2012, I decided to transition into consultancy around 6 years ago to gain greater flexibility and control over my work. I now lead a team of over 20 highly skilled professionals who bring diverse strengths to our client engagements. Together, we focus on delivering high-quality, tailored solutions that reflect our combined experience and collaborative approach.
My move into consultancy was driven by a desire for more independence and the ability to work in a way that aligned with my personal values and professional vision. I wanted to create a culture of trust, flexibility, and shared success, something that’s not always easy in traditional structures. Forming my own team was a natural progression, allowing me to shape the environment and work alongside people who are equally passionate about delivering meaningful results. I must be honest, when I first came across the opportunity, my thoughts were, ‘This sounds too good to be true,’ but it has delivered everything it promised, and more.
Working as a consultant has given me the freedom to focus on the work I’m most passionate about while also creating a balanced, flexible lifestyle. Leading my own team has been incredibly rewarding; I get to see others develop, take initiative, and thrive. Clients benefit from our close-knit structure and collaborative mindset, which means they receive personal attention, faster turnaround times, and genuinely tailored solutions. The ability to shape the way we work and the culture we’ve built together has been one of the greatest joys of this journey. I often find the clients prefer the flexible working model of their conveyancer, as some struggle to speak during the usual office hours, and our flexible way of working means we can still make time to discuss their matter with them at a time that suits us both.
Since forming our consultancy team, we’ve had the privilege of working on a range of impactful projects that have delivered real value to clients. Internally, we’ve fostered a culture of support and innovation; team members are encouraged to contribute ideas and grow in their roles. Clients regularly comment on the consistency and quality of our work, which I believe is a direct result of our collaborative ethos and mutual respect. It is fantastic to see the team grow and experience the many benefits of consultancy, and we plan to keep expanding!
Becoming a consultant and building my own team has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my career. It’s given me the opportunity to work in a way that feels authentic, impactful, and sustainable. For anyone considering this path, I’d encourage you to explore it with intention, build a strong foundation, surround yourself with the right people, and don’t underestimate the power of collaboration. The rewards are well worth it. I would now never go back to working any other way, and I can say with absolute confidence those in our team feel the same way – you just have to take the leap!”
Sophie’s journey is a great example of how legal consultancy can open the door to professional fulfilment while also allowing space for personal growth and team development.
Her experience shows the power of creating a supportive culture, building meaningful client relationships, and having the freedom to work in a way that truly fits your life and values.
If you’re thinking about a change, becoming a consultant solicitor offers a unique blend of flexibility, opportunity, and support. Whether you’re looking for a better work-life balance, the freedom to shape your own team, or the chance to grow on your own terms, consultancy could be exactly what you’ve been searching for.
Learn more about our consultancy programme; reach out to our consultant recruitment team for a chat on 020 3551 8100. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and help you explore whether this could be the right move for you.