In celebration of Father’s Day, we thought we would take the time to mention some of our wonderful lawyers and their families here at Setfords. For many, making the move to Setfords has offered the opportunity to spend more time with family and experience life in a way that most traditional law firms can […]
A Day in my Legal Life
Alan Herbert, Setfords consultant
Alan Herbert is a property litigator and has spent much of his career working for top international law firms including Ashurst and Pinsent Curtis. Alan has also worked as Head of Litigation for a number of firms in the North where he continues to reside.
A Day in my Legal Life
Tom Flatau, Setfords consultant & Head of Real Estate
Tom Flatau is Head of Real Estate at Setfords. At his last firm he was offered equity partnership – he turned it down to become a consultant.
A Day in my Legal Life
David Taylor, Setfords consultant
David Taylor lives in Ross-on-Wye with his wife and 10-year – old son. He works as a residential property consultant lawyer. He joined Setfords in 2010.
A Day in my Legal Life
Nigel Cragg, Setfords consultant
Nigel Cragg is a consultant lawyer for Setfords and heads up the firm’s personal injury department. He lives at home in Cranleigh in Surrey with his wife Debbie.
A Day in my Legal Life
Matthew Barrett, Setfords consultant
Matthew is a consultant lawyer at Setfords specialising in planning and other regulatory law. He lives in Stafford with his wife Jan who is also a planning lawyer.
A Day in my Legal Life
Michael Edwards, Setfords consultant
Corporate and commercial lawyer Michael Edwards joined Setfords in 2015 after a career spent as a partner in Lincoln’s Inn firms.
A Day in my Legal Life
Anne Thomas, Setfords consultant
Family lawyer Anne Thomas lives in Horsham with her husband and two children, Freddy, 4 and Lilia who’s 16 months.
A Day in my Legal Life
John Newell, Setfords consultant
John Newell is a litigator who recently successfully represented former England manager Kevin Keegan in a hacking claim against Mirror Group Newspapers.
A Day in my Legal Life
Caroline Matthews, Setfords consultant
Leading licensing lawyer Caroline Matthews has handled work for many of the biggest brands in the UK. She previously worked in traditional firms including Harris Hagan and Blake Morgan.
Revealed: The top 6 reasons to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords
At Setfords, we want to attract and retain the very best legal talent. There are a number of reasons for this, not least that the best talent is more productive than average. And efficient, effective service makes for happier clients. To learn how we’re doing as a company, we simply ask our consultant solicitors for […]
The real reason lawyers choose consultancy
The majority of Setfords consultants have school-age or dependent children. A big question – What do you value most in life? Family, friends, travel, challenges won, successes earned…? Where did the office feature in that collage? How about your daily commute? Your boss? Probably not at all. This begs the question – why do we […]
Reasons to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords… #1 You’ll live longer
Mood swings, panic attacks, and skin problems – no, you’re not a teenager, you’re a lawyer in a traditional law firm. The level of stress within the legal profession is well documented – in fact LawCare[…]
Reasons to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords… #2 You’ll have better relationships
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you wake up on a Saturday morning and you’re tired and irritable. Your children, if you have any, run into the room and jump on your bed looking[…]
Reasons to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords… #3 You’ll earn more money
The reality of the traditional legal industry is this: you will earn far more for the law firm that employs you than you will ever earn for yourself. Now for most of you that will not come as[…]
Reasons to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords… #4 You’ll be healthier
Anyone who works in a traditional law firm will tell you that, bar sitting down in a restaurant with a client, lunch is spent at your desk. With so many clients and so little time, you can’t spare[…]
Reasons to become a Setfords consultant solicitor…#5 You’ll be happier
Happiness – we all want it and time and again we’re told the Danes have it. Denmark is often ranked as the happiest country in the world. But why? And what have the Danes got in[…]
5 reasons to become a Setfords consultant solicitor and the 7 things you should do next
What do you think about when you think of a lawyer’s life in a traditional firm? The fight to make partner? Working long hours? High stress? A competitive working environment?[…]
Mental Health Awareness Day
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 […]
Why are lawyers falling out of love with the legal profession?
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 wins Regional Firm of the Year in the Legal Business Awards 2021
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 […]
How corporate lawyer Tim Westhead chose to work less and live more as a Setfords Consultant Solicitor
Commercial property lawyer Tim Westhead imagined a time when he no longer needed to go into the office: then he would finally have time to enjoy life. However, as a ‘young 63-year-old’, Tim realised that he didn’t want to quit work completely. He simply wanted to find a way to work less and live more. […]
Lawyer Sarah Gillbe Celebrates 10 years as a Consultant Solicitor at Setfords
From struggling single mum to running her own office: Sarah Gillbe celebrates 10 successful years as a consultant solicitor at Setfords. SARAH’S STORY: HOW IT ALL BEGAN Long days and even longer nights, drenched in stress – this was Sarah Gillbe 15 years ago. Her only certainty was knowing that she would leave the office […]
THE RISE AND RISE OF THE CONSULTANT SOLICITOR
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 […]
POSITIVE THINKING DAY
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 […]
Setfords shortlisted for The Law Society’s Medium Law Firm of The Year
Setfords is delighted to announce our nomination for the prestigious Medium Law Firm of the Year award at the 2021 Law Society Excellence Awards. This category recognises success over the last year. In relation to the nomination, Co-CEO Guy Setford said: “During what has been a tough year for the industry, Setfords has continued to […]
Do lawyers really want to return to office-working?
HAVE YOU RE-SET YOUR ALARM so it wakes you an hour earlier? Have you informed your childminder that you need them to work an additional hour or so at the end of the working day? Out with the new, in with the old If you answered yes to either of those questions, you are probably […]
Why some people love work
WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE to work? Seriously, it’s a bit of an effort, isn’t it? The quick answer – and probably the most obvious answer – is money. Without question, money motivates most people. In fact, research confirms that salary is the number one workplace perk for UK office staff, with 70% of workers flagging this […]
The ‘Setfords Family’ Pulls Together To
Conquer Conveyancing Deadline Pressure
How we had a record-breaking year while the market was “on fire” ‘BRITAIN’S HOUSING MARKET is “on fire” thanks to the extension of government tax breaks for homebuyers and increased demand from richer households with more savings following coronavirus lockdowns.’ No, this is not hyperbole from an overexcited estate agent. It’s the view of Andy […]
Freedom Day? For Many Lawyers it Marks the END of Freedom
The British prime minister has changed the rules. Today marks a big turning point. Pandemic restrictions are being eased. Full faces will be on display everywhere. People will sit next to one another on trains. Colleagues will greet each other in offices up and down the land and head towards the water cooler for the […]
‘Life as a Consultant Solicitor has reinvigorated my passion for law’… Commercial lawyer David Middleburgh reflects on his time at Setfords
David Middleburgh comes to Setfords with over 30 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer. Dual-qualified as an insolvency practitioner and solicitor advocate, David has rights of audience in the high court. To say David has extensive experience as a commercial lawyer is something of an understatement. By any standards his skills in solving complex shareholder, […]
Traditional Law: Is the juice worth the squeeze?
YOU KNOW THE FEELING. You slice an orange in half, place it into the palm of your hand and engage every muscle fibre in your forearm to squeeze every last drop from it. Yet, when you look into the glass below, you’re disappointed to see the juicy equivalent of an espresso. This exercise, this breakfast […]
The flexible working stigma… and how to avoid it
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 […]
I Could Have Been Partner in a Law Firm: But I Wanted More
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 […]
Wellbeing at Setfords
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 […]
Why hybrid working is only half the answer
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. […]
Lockdown Motivated Me to Make the Move to Legal Consultancy
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 […]
Setfords’ Investment in Industry-Leading Digital Technology
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 […]
Lawyer Andrew Thompson Finds a New Lease of Life as a Setfords Consultant Solicitor
Andrew Thompson joined Setfords as a consultant solicitor last year, specialising in all aspects of commercial construction law.
Employment Solicitor Tom Mitchell celebrates his ‘life-affirming’ move to legal consultancy at Setfords
Tom Mitchell is a consultant solicitor at Setfords primarily focussed on helping businesses with a wide range of commercial, employment, and regulatory issues. He has particular expertise in the travel and leisure sectors. He has spent the last decade advising firms ranging from start-ups to household names on all aspects of their businesses. Tom lives […]
Setfords’ female lawyers discuss how the consultancy-model helps them to achieve their career goals
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’ Business Development Team Discuss What Makes Them the Best in the Industry
In June 2019, Jenny Powell became the Head of Setfords’ Business Development team. The Business Development Team is dedicated to dealing with enquiries from potential clients and communicating with all Setfords consultants. By the end of 2020, they had generated over £5 million in fees for their 350+ nationwide network of consultants.
Why I made the Move to Become a Consultant Solicitor at Setfords
CONSULTANT BLOGS / Rob Rocker Why I Made the Move to Become a Consultant Solicitor at Setfords Consultant Solicitor Rob Rocker joined Setfords in March 2020 – one of 121 lawyers who joined us over lockdown. As he comes up to his first full year at Setfords, we talked to him about his experience as […]
I decided to become a consultant for Setfords and I haven’t looked back
My friend had been a consultant for Setfords and urged me to look into it. At the time, I didn’t feel ready to pursue the opportunity, but after some badgering from her and my husband, I made contact.
Setfords receives 2020 ‘Law Firm of the Year’ Award
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 […]
I became a consultant in lockdown – here’s what happened next
Sue Cunningham-Sawyer is one of over 50 lawyers who joined Setfords during the first 2020 lockdown. We spoke to her about her experience of switching to consultancy.
After twelve years in a traditional firm, I switched to consultancy and never looked back
I started working with Setfords as a consultant conveyancer in September 2019, after 12 years at a traditional, high street firm. I was feeling frustrated with the restrictions of nine to five working, especially since I run two businesses, have five grandchildren and a hectic home life.
5 Reasons Why Becoming a Consultant Lawyer at Setfords Will Enhance Your Life
As working life is being revolutionised, now is the perfect time to consider your future as a lawyer. What if you really could have it all?
How consultancy stopped me from quitting law
There was a time before discovering consultancy when I thought I’d give up law. Before long, I had new clients, a new home office in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, and a renewed love of my work.
Setfords successfully launches new Lawyer Wellbeing department
It’s no secret that life as a lawyer can be stressful. Arguably, thinking and working under pressure comes with the job. But the fast-paced world of law, with increasing client demands, long hours, and billable targets can seriously take its toll.
My Switch to Consultancy at Setfords
After 28 years at a partnership, I decided I wanted a new challenge and that it was time to make a change. I liked the idea of being able to manage my hours and workload whilst enjoying greater financial rewards. With this in mind, it felt a switch to consultancy was my best path.
54 new lawyers join Setfords during lockdown as interest in consultancy surges during the COVID-19 pandemic
The consultant-led law firm Setfords has signed 54 new lawyers since the lockdown began in March – more than double the number that joined the firm during the same period last year. Setfords already has more than 250 consultant lawyers working remotely. Each is supported by the company’s digital platform and a Guildford-based team […]
Wellbeing: A stress-free model built around you
World Wellbeing Week 2020
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 […]
Wellbeing: Make time for the things that matter
World Wellbeing Week 2020
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 […]
Wellbeing: Take home up to 80% of your billings
World Wellbeing Week 2020
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 […]
Wellbeing: Improve your health and productivity
World Wellbeing Week 2020
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 […]
Wellbeing: Enjoy what you do and make a difference
World Wellbeing Week 2020
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 […]
Father’s Day at Setfords
In celebration of Father’s Day, we thought we would take the time to mention some of our wonderful lawyers and their families here at Setfords. For many, making the move to Setfords has offered the opportunity to spend more time with family and experience life in a way that most traditional law firms can […]
Lawyers and the Rise of Work From Anywhere
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.
How to home-work once the lockdown is lifted – a guide for lawyers
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 […]
Coronavirus – an update for those considering joining Setfords as a home-working consultant lawyer
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 […]
The wellbeing of our staff and customers is Setfords top priority.
The wellbeing of our staff and customers is Setfords top priority. Read more With the ongoing spread of COVID-19, we would like to take this opportunity to inform all of our customers, both current and new, of the steps we are taking to protect our staff and customers. We would also like to highlight some […]
The Employers Guide To Remote Working
The Employers Guide To Remote Working Read more Remote working, also known as ‘homeworking’, is a valued benefit for many employees and valuable option for employers for many reasons. Of current interest with the COVID-19 pandemic, homeworking is a tool available to many employers to continue to operate when it is impractical, unwise or impossible […]
2020 recipient as the best-in-field for the ‘Business Development’ award, at the Lexis Nexis Awards 2020.
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 […]
Six Useful Tips For Working From Home
With over 200 remote working lawyers and a business model that has spanned over 13 years, we have outlined 6 useful tips to help you make working from home a success.
A Blog by Carol Lee – My experience as a Consultant Lawyer over the last 10 years.
A Blog by Carol Lee My experience as a Consultant Lawyer over the last 10 years. Read my blog At the end of February, I shall reach the milestone of having been a Setfords consultant solicitor for ten years. Working this way over the past decade has enabled me to change my lifestyle by moving […]
A Blog by David Taylor – My experience as a Consultant Lawyer over the last 10 years.
A Blog by David Taylor My experience as a Consultant Lawyer over the last 10 years. Read my blog As this year marks my 10th anniversary of being a consultant lawyer at Setfords, I wanted to share my experiences for anyone considering the consultancy model. While doing this, I thought it would also be a […]
Seven Year Itch – Not on your life!
Rose Davis recently celebrated her 7th anniversary as a Setfords consultant, and has written about her experiences since joining the firm, and how her life has changed. Read on to find out why Rose sees Setfords as more than a law firm, “it’s a way of life”. It was a Head Hunter last week who […]
Let’s make the legal industry in 2018 about talent, not age
I have always believed success should be about talent, but the workplace can often tell a very different story. Office politics of course plays its part, but I’m certain age plays another. And I’m not just talking about discrimination suffered by older workers, I’m talking about younger ones too. The old But let’s start with […]
Why learning about the lives of consultant lawyers makes me more sure than ever that we need more of them
Over the past few months our law firm has been running a series of articles: A Day in My Legal Life. We have interviewed some of our consultants about their working lives because we want as many lawyers as possible to know about the incredible opportunities that working as a consultant lawyer can offer. But […]
As summer holidays approach thoughts turn to partnership. But are you chasing the wrong prize? Our co-CEO Guy Setford gives his view.
Congratulations, you’ve survived another six months as a successful lawyer and that much-needed summer break is just around the corner. Chances are that as you grab a few weeks to recuperate, your thoughts will turn to your career and you will ask yourself a few questions. What am I doing this for? Will it lead […]
Agile working in traditional law firms – not what it says on the tin but a good first step
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[…]
Living The Dream
This advert captures the great benefits of working as a consultant at Setfords. Filmed in 2016 it was pushed out across social media and has been viewed over 136,000 times on Facebook alone.
Who are Setfords?
A short film introducing our lawyers, support team and our co-CEOs Guy and Chris Setford who explain their vision for the firm.
The financial rewards of being a Setfords consultant
Our managers and our lawyers explain the financial benefits of consultancy.
Job security as a Setfords consultant
Corporate and commercial consultant Michael Edwards explains why consultancy actually improves job security.
Work-life balance as a Setfords consultant
From flying aeroplanes to spending time with family, our consultant lawyers explain how they have benefited from a better way of working.
The support provided to Setfords consultant
Our support team offer an insight into the services they offer consultants, from PR and marketing to business development and sales.
A Day in the Life of Setfords Solicitors
In this full eight minute film our lawyers, support staff and managers reveal what life is like during a typical day at Setfords.
Who are Setfords?
A short film introducing our lawyers, support team and our co-CEOs Guy and Chris Setford who explain their vision for the firm.
The financial rewards of being a Setfords consultant
Our managers and our lawyers explain the financial benefits of consultancy.
Job security as a Setfords consultant
Corporate and commercial consultant Michael Edwards explains why consultancy actually improves job security.
Work-life balance as a Setfords consultant
From flying aeroplanes to spending time with family, our consultant lawyers explain how they have benefited from a better way of working.
The support provided to Setfords consultants
Our support team offer an insight into the services they offer consultants, from PR and marketing to business development and sales.
Setfords Solicitors - A Day in the Life
In this full eight minute film our lawyers, support staff and managers reveal what life is like during a typical day at Setfords.
Living the dream
This advert captures the great benefits of working as a consultant at Setfords. Filmed in 2016 it was pushed out across social media and has been viewed over 136,000 times on Facebook alone.
Setfords Hires Pearl Moses as Compliance Director
6th September, 2021 – Setfords has hired Pearl Moses as Compliance Director. Moses is a seasoned legal professional and a solicitor with over 15 years experience in private practice, legal publishing and regulatory compliance issues. Moses joins Setfords from her previous role as Risk and Compliance Lead at the Law Society. Since joining the Law […]
54 new lawyers join Setfords during lockdown as interest in consultancy surges during the COVID-19 pandemic
The consultant-led law firm Setfords has signed 54 new lawyers since the lockdown began in March – more than double the number that joined the firm during the same period last year. Setfords already has more than 250 consultant lawyers working remotely. Each is supported by the company’s digital platform and a Guildford-based team […]
Setfords relaunches recruitment website as rising numbers of lawyers seek information about working as a consultant
Setfords Solicitors’ recruitment website www.consultantsolicitor.co.uk has been relaunched with an entirely fresh design and new content as it looks to even better serve the thousands of lawyers who visit the site every year. The site has seen a 240% increase in traffic in the past 12 months as thousands more lawyers explore working as consultants […]