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Changing Career Direction – Considering working as a consultant / freelance lawyer? Understanding this flexible approach to working

The webinar was held on Wednesday 24 May 2023. 

The virtual event is aimed at solicitors across all levels of PQE exploring flexible lawyering models, including working as a freelance lawyer. The session explored different options to this flexible way of working including practical things to consider before going freelance and the legal and regulatory issues to consider.

This session was facilitated by Husnara Begum, a former City lawyer turned career coach and business skills trainer. Husnara will be joined by Paul Bennett, partner at Bennett Briegal LLP. 

About Paul Bennett 

Paul solves problems for law firms and professional practices. He is a solicitor, mediator and arbitrator at the specialist law firm to other law firms Bennett Briegal LLP . He advises daily on law firms and solicitors on SRA regulatory matters, on mergers and acquisitions, employment, and partnership law. Clients have included the Law Society on the SRA’s 2019 reform programme. Paul is the Chair of the Law Society of England and Wales Leadership and Management Section and has delivered training to lawyers and law firms for more than 15 years on management and regulation issues.

What this will cover

This webinar will cover the following steps to successfully work as a freelance solicitor:

  • Different available options for working more flexibly, including consulting, locums, freelancing, virtual law firms and sole practitioners
  • Pros and cons of each option – particularly in light of current market conditions
  • Practical points to consider before going freelance. What is the appropriate level of PQE to do this at
  • Risk v reward – how are charge out rates determined etc? How easy will it be to source work?
  • Legal and regulatory issues such as PI insurance, practising certificates etc.
  • IR35
Learning outcomes

Throughout this webinar, attendees will:

  • Gain a clearer understanding of the different options available to you if you want to work more flexibly
  • Receive practical points to consider before following this pathway
  • Learn about the key legal and regulatory landscape you will need to navigate when opting to work freelance
How you will learn

Panel discussion

Free ex VAT
Type of training
CPD
Format
Recorded online classroom
Level
Introduction
Who is this for?
City Lawyers
Ethnic minority lawyers
In-house lawyers
Alternative business structure (ABS) (In-house lawyers)
Junior lawyers
Small firms lawyers
Solicitors
Women lawyers
Course length
1 hours
SRA Competence
A2
C1
C2

The experts

Husnara Begum

Expert
Facilitator

View expert bio