Films & Blogs

Many lawyers only dream of starting their own business. At Setfords, we make that possible. You can still practice as a lawyer but do things your way with the support of our expert team. It’s an opportunity that our 450+ consultants have turned into success, working when, where and how they want, building their own […]

There’s more to life than work. Everyone knows it, but for many lawyers, it’s simply not a reality. Long hours, impossible targets, commutes, and more all get in the way. So, when lawyers become Setfords consultants, they get to enjoy a new-found freedom. They can use this freedom for anything their heart desires, from more […]

If you think our headline sounds like the start of a bad joke, you’re already getting warm. Kind of. It did spring from a jokey lunchtime conversation at Setfords HQ. During that discussion, one of the team summarised an article from the job site indeed.com. The article is about the following recruitment question: ‘If you […]

What connects cycling to law firms? At Setfords, we’re proud of the law firm we’ve built. We don’t just offer our lawyers a better work-life balance; we also give them some of the best support in the industry. The result is happier people who can really make the most of their careers. However, we didn’t […]

Consultancy law firms are on the rise. At Setfords alone, we now have over 450 consultant lawyers working with us. We speak to plenty of lawyers who are considering making the jump to consultancy but are concerned about how they will adapt to the change, especially in the beginning. However, once they do join us, […]

Why stubborn attitudes towards shorter working weeks are laughable ‘The Four Yorkshiremen” is a comedy sketch from an old TV show called At Last It’s 1948 (stick with us, we’ll come back to 2023 very soon). In the sketch, four successful men enjoying post-prandial cigars and wine parody nostalgic conversations about their humble beginnings. In […]

Wednesday 8th March 2023 marks International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness about discrimination, and taking action to drive gender parity. At Setfords, more than 60 per cent of our consultant lawyers are women, a number above the UK average of 52 per cent. We are proud to offer a […]

Though it has been widely reported that one-third of UK lawyers could be working in alternative firms like Setfords by 2026, consultancy is still a relatively new concept in the legal world. Setfords was one of the first law firms in the UK to focus on the alternative model, and so far we have enjoyed […]

How anonymity tells you everything you need to know about a relationship. “I WASN’T EVEN INVITED TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY” is the poignant headline of an article published, coincidentally, when many lawyers were last enjoying a festive knees-up with their colleagues. The Law Society Gazette article was written (we suspect) by a female consultant lawyer […]

Why this could be your year to take a first step to building your own legal practice Whether your New Year’s resolutions have survived the first few weeks of 2023 or not, there is still plenty of time to reflect on your career goals and consider alternative options open to you to achieve them. Money […]

Working as a consultant solicitor offers plenty of benefits. Many entrepreneurial lawyers enjoy the freedom it gives them to work from wherever they are in the world, as well as the opportunity to earn more whilst dealing with fewer time wasting tasks. One such lawyer is Caroline Fitzpatrick. Working as a consultant solicitor offers plenty […]

The New Year is a time full of clichés. We’re all encouraged to overhaul every aspect of our lives, from diet and exercise to our hobbies and careers. More often than not, these adjustments never stick for long. By February, almost everybody has slipped back into their old ways. After all, keeping up with these […]

As we begin 2023, attention is turned towards how we can all make the New Year a success. At Setfords, we’re pretty proud of what we have achieved in the last year, but we want to make 2023 even bigger and better. We’d like to share some of our ideas with you, to hopefully inspire […]

From not listening to feedback all the way up to workplace bullying, nobody wants to work in a toxic culture. However, for all too many lawyers, it is an everyday reality. It’s been reported that 41% of law firm partners have seen bullying at work from other partners or law firm owners. This can lead […]

As a solicitor myself, to coincide with Armistice Day and the BBC’s TV series “Rogue Heroes”, it seemed fitting to commemorate Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne, DSO & Three Bars (1915 – 1955) Legion D’Honneur, Croix De Guerre, and, indisputably, the British legal profession’s toughest ever solicitor. Mayne is played by Jack O’Connell in […]

Prices keep rising, incomes are squeezed, and everyone is worried about the cost of living. Add to this the interest rate rises resulting in mortgage products being withdrawn, and it isn’t likely to spell good news for the conveyancing market. Fewer people can buy, and uncertainty may halt sellers, too. This perfect storm of negativity […]

The Law Society has recently released its Annual Statistics Report, covering trends in the solicitors’ profession in 2021. The statistics are eye-opening, including the fact that more women than ever are becoming solicitors. As of July 2021, women made up 53% of those practising in England and Wales. Despite this, the numbers at the top […]

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS lawyers leave jobs with traditional firms is due to the sheer tedium of their former routines. Many lawyers join us at Setfords because they felt like robots – having to account for their every move, eight hours a day, five times a week. These formerly employed solicitors found measurement […]

Successful family lawyer Thowheetha Shaah found that being a Partner and Head of Department within a traditional law firm began to weigh her down, leaving her burnt out and unhappy. A friend recommended that Thowheetha consider becoming a consultant solicitor at Setfords… Thowheetha Shaah is a Family Law and Mediator who has been qualified as […]

Reports of an uncertain economic climate and pressure on law firm profit margins are all over the news at the moment. Rumours of redundancies are rife. Pressure on lawyers within law firms is steadily mounting, with already impossibly high targets climbing higher still. Should you just stay where you are and ride the wave? Or […]

Last week’s report from Codex Edge reveals that Setfords is now the most popular Alternative Law Firm in the UK, with more consultant lawyers than any other firm within the sector. Last year, Arden predicted that a third of lawyers would be working as consultants by 2026. Despite scepticism from traditional lawyers, the alternative law […]

What kind of lawyer are you? And does that make you a good fit to work as a consultant lawyer? NO, WE’RE NOT ASKING what kind of law you practice. We have opportunities in most areas, from banking law to personal injury, family to litigation… Actually, as we cover 50 disciplines, we’d better leave it […]

‘Imposter syndrome’ is a term thrown around a lot within the working world. It can seemingly affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or position. Indeed, google the words ‘imposter syndrome’, and countless stories from some of the world’s most accomplished people will appear, from Albert Einstein to Michelle Obama. Imposter syndrome typically refers to feelings […]

TALENTED LAWYERS have always had options. In the past, the two main options available to legal go-getters were to: A) Become a partner or B) Set up a new practice Both options offered a host of benefits: kudos, more responsibility, more power and, of course, the kind of financial rewards that are the envy of […]

Following unprecedented growth over the last two years, Setfords are delighted to appear in The Sunday Times 100, Britain’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. The league table takes on the baton from The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 series, which celebrated the country’s leading entrepreneurs for 24 years. The 2022 league table is supported by Barclays Private […]

You’re probably reading this article because you hate being a lawyer. It’s just not what you thought it would be. You feel exhausted, perhaps even completely burnt out. You have very little free time to spend with your loved ones. If you’ve already started a family, you feel guilty for not seeing them enough. If […]

This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating all of the dads at Setfords by talking to two of our lawyers about what consultancy has meant for them and their families. Adam Wright is a senior consultant clinical negligence solicitor, and David Miers is an occupational stress and psychiatric injury specialist. They both have young children and have […]

A 20% salary reduction to work from home? – NO THANKS! LAWYERS. HOW DOES THIS OFFER SOUND? ‘Continue doing exactly what you are currently doing but give up 20 per cent of your salary.’ That’s what’s on offer at London law firm Stephenson Harwood for lawyers who prefer to work from home, according to a […]

THE ROUTE TO LEGAL SUCCESS has – for as long as anyone can remember – always looked the same. First, you need to pass school exams with flying colours. Second: go to university and study law (or something else and convert). Third: pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (previously, the Legal Practice Course). Fourth: complete a […]

May 2-6 is Wellbeing Week in Law. The week aims “to raise awareness about mental health and encourage action and innovation across the profession to improve wellbeing.” At Setfords, this is something we put at the heart of everything we do. With a dedicated Lawyer Wellbeing department, and numerous company-wide initiatives to improve the wellbeing […]

LAWYERS’ SALARIES ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. According to a Business Live article, city firms are offering newly qualified lawyers £160,000 a year. This may be where the high bar currently sits. But what is the real cost? From raw talent to law talent It takes a lot of grit and determination to toil through […]

Thinking of becoming a consultant solicitor? Then you’ve come to the right place. At Setfords we have grown organically from outside The Lawyer 200, to inside the 200, and then into the 100 in consecutive years. Our reputation as a law firm that puts the happiness of lawyers at its heart has a large role […]

The rigid structure of traditional law firms means that successful lawyers often face a difficult choice between their career and their family or other interests. As a result, many female lawyers are pushed out before they can reach the top. But not at Setfords. The vision of CEOs Guy and Chris Setford has always been […]

ARE YOU A HAPPY LAWYER? Really? Do you wake up on Saturday mornings and think: ‘I wish there wasn’t a whole weekend to trudge through before I can get back to work’? To all lawyers whose mood suddenly lifts on Monday mornings, we salute you. You really have cracked it. You don’t have to be […]

Whether you’re newly returning to the workplace after parental leave, or you’re trying to find your place in the working world with children a few years down the line, it’s tough. Law is a sector that’s not exactly famous for its flexibility. This can leave parents wondering where they fit in. Is it possible to […]

EVERYONE IS ON A DIET. Travel agents are giving summer holidays a big push. And sofa showrooms are awash with offers. All of which proves it must be January. Even before Covid, the start of a new year has always been a time to consider new beginnings. This year, many lawyers are even more keen […]

“We would like to take a moment to thank everyone at Setfords for the part they have played in our incredible, record-breaking year”, Guy Setford, our co-founder begins. “Nearly two years into the Pandemic we have been amazed by the resilience of our staff and consultant solicitors throughout this challenging time. Their diligence and determination […]

As life returns to the ‘new normal’, many traditional law firms are offering work from home arrangements. Yet, just last week, the FT reported that lawyers are working longer hours than ever with a negative impact on their health. The FT reported that lawyers are working through weekends and holidays without a break in order […]

Working as a lawyer can be incredibly stressful, with overwhelming workloads and physically and emotionally challenging cases. By no means is poor mental health within the legal sector a new revelation. Some firms, such as Setfords Solicitors have already started to work towards improving the wellbeing of their staff. In recent years, the stigma surrounding […]

TO UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY LAWYERS are falling out of love with the profession they worked so hard to get into, let’s take a step back. Let’s remind ourselves what falling in love looks like in a more general sense. At the start of a personal relationship, you are a giddy mess. Your stomach churns. […]

Setfords Solicitors’ exemplary commitment to promoting a better way of working within the legal sector and the wider community has been recognised after their record-breaking year with the award for ‘Regional Law Firm of the Year’ at this year’s Legal Business Awards. This award highlights the UK-based firm with headquarters outside of London that has […]

Setfords Solicitors has been listed among the UK’s top 100 law firms, with record growth seeing it rise rapidly up The Lawyer’s turnover-based rankings. Founded in 2006, Setfords was the first full-service law firm to launch a consultancy model. Over 15 years Setfords has grown into a multi-million-pound business with over 400 lawyers throughout the […]

FIRMS OF CONSULTANT LAWYERS are set to grab a much bigger slice of the legal cake, according to a recent news article. The report goes on to say that a third of the profession – around 50,000 solicitors – could be working in this way by 2026. Setfords has every reason to believe the prediction […]

Today is Positive Thinking Day, established in 2003; it is a day to be grateful for all things positive in life. What could be better than celebrating positivity and reminding ourselves that negativity is just a choice most of the time? Everyone has control over their thoughts and actions, and if there is something in […]

Flexible working dramatically increased during the pandemic. Now, more companies are embracing the idea that employees do not need to be chained to a desk between 9-5 pm to do a good job. Yet, despite its rising popularity, flexible working is still frowned upon by some. Here, we look at what is meant by the […]

Female lawyers. Have you got what it takes to become a partner at your firm? Would you knock your colleagues over like skittles for a tête-à-tête with a senior partner? Do you get slightly irked when your private life impinges on your work life? No! Then the world is your oyster. If you’re looking for […]

A recent survey by the Lawyers Division found that more than 93.5 per cent of 1,800 lawyers surveyed had experienced stress in the past month, while more than a third said workplace stress had affected their physical health. The Setfords consultancy model ensures that lawyers are not subject to the pressures of set timings and set […]

Hybrid is on-trend. From shopping to banking, entertainment to work… Many experiences that were once purely physical have morphed into a hybrid. Even some ‘magic circle’ firms are reflecting our changed world by allowing their lawyers to do some of their work from home. Some think hybrid working is a post-pandemic panacea for outdated practices. […]

Remote working and watching the world go through major upheaval has redefined what many lawyers need and want from their careers – and their lives. The latest Deloitte Global Millennial survey found that millennials’ anxiety levels were eight percentage points lower than those seen prior to the COVID-19 crisis. A ‘silver lining’ as a result […]

Being a lawyer today is dramatically different from only a few years ago. Traditional law is dying. Digital Technology-driven platform law firms like Setfords are now mainstream and leading the way. Lawyers finally have real choice, and technology makes all the difference. Setfords have been early adopters and pioneers of legal technology from the very […]

In January 2020, the Financial Times research reported that while there are now more women practising law in the UK than men, just under half of associates and a fifth of senior lawyers are women. As of February 2021, 61% of Setfords’ consultant lawyers are women – a figure highlighted by The Lawyer as one […]

Setfords Solicitors’ exemplary commitment to promoting gender diversity both within the workplace and to the wider community has been recognised with the award for ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at this year’s Women in Law Awards. This particular award was aimed at UK law firms outside the top 100 who could successfully demonstrate a unique […]

  The level of stress in the legal sector is well documented; however, it is still a significant issue. The symptoms of stress and a working life that is out of balance can do a lot more than bring on symptoms. If ignored, they can take years off your life. So how do you ensure […]

The long hours and high-stress culture of the law industry means too many lawyers spend far too much time in the office and not enough time at home, or out socialising, with the important people in their lives. A workplace poll by the mental health charity Mind found one in six people said strain at […]

  The reality of the traditional legal industry is that you will earn far more for the law firm that employs you than you will ever earn for yourself. That’s how the legal world works. But, what if there was another, very different reality? At Setfords, our business model allows our consultants to earn far […]

  Working for a traditional firm, with so many clients and so little time, there is very little time to spare for a proper break and most people understandably reach for the quickest, easiest food available. The type of food that spikes your sugar levels and leaves you feeling sluggish and hungry again just an […]

  The way our firm works embraces factors that make people happy and improve their wellbeing. These are trust, security, wealth and freedom. Trust is part of the bedrock of our firm. We deliver what we promise to our consultant lawyers so they can deliver what they promise to their clients. You might think that […]

There was a time when going to work as a lawyer meant going to the office. Those days are over. But is the new generation of remote workers making the most of the new normal? Setfords’ co-CEO Guy Setford explains why the majority of the legal industry is yet to embrace the true benefits of a better way of working.

  Setfords Solicitors has more than 250 consultant lawyers working from home, and in 2018 won the Lexis Nexis Legal Award for Wellbeing. As the Government begins to ease the lockdown, Setfords’ co-CEO Guy Setford offers his advice to those in traditional firms who have been working from home and might want, or need, to […]

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, the ability to work remotely has never been more important. Setfords Solicitors is continuing to recruit consultant lawyers who are based in their own homes. We can get you set up in a few days so you can start helping clients. Our business development and marketing teams, and our customer-facing […]

At last night’s event, we were the proud recipients of the Lexis Nexis award for ‘Business Development’, being one of five firms which had been shortlisted for the prestigious award. Collecting the award (pictured above) are both our Sales Manager, Jenny Powell (right), and Business Development Executive Alicia Keen (left). Working together over the past […]

I read with sadness but no great surprise that four out of 10 senior associates would not choose to become a lawyer again, according to The Lawyer’s Salary Survey 2016. The high stress, long hours, culture[…]