Stephanie Creasey, Corporate & Commercial Solicitor
By Stephanie Creasey, Corporate & Commercial Solicitor at Legal Futures Associate 360 Business Law and 360 Law Services
After spending the early years of my career in legal practice working in a traditional role as an employed solicitor, I found myself yearning for greater flexibility and autonomy. The structured environment of a traditional law firm, while beneficial in many ways in my early career, began to feel restrictive and with a young family whom I wanted to spend more time with, I began to look for alternatives.
Having climbed the corporate career ladder quickly following qualification and been appointed a partner at a relatively early stage in my professional life at only 8 years PQE, there were few upwards career progression opportunities in the traditional law firm set up. I wanted to explore new opportunities, work with a diverse range of clients, and have the freedom to manage my own schedule to fit in around my personal life.
After speaking to others who had gone before me and transitioned to a consultancy role, as well as a number of different consultancy firms, I made the decision to leave my employed role in early 2024, becoming a consultant with both 360 Business Law and 360 Law Services. The move was a conscious, strategic step in my career to focus on building my own practice which reflects my own principles and ambitions.
A year after making the leap, now is the ideal time to reflect on my journey so far and share my thoughts on what it means to work as a consultant solicitor.
From employed to empowered
Working as an employed solicitor provided a solid foundation and allowed me to learn from and work with a number of incredibly talented corporate and commercial lawyers. I gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, both in terms of my legal practice and softer skills such as how to manage client relationships and build a solid network of professional contacts. I honed my technical skills, built a client base and navigated a variety of commercial transactions.
But over time, I found myself increasingly constrained—not just by the traditional structure of a law firm, but by the limits on how much autonomy I had. The hours took their toll and I was missing out on time with family and friends due to a relentless workload and the pressure to meet deadlines and billing targets.
Consultancy offered a different proposition: the ability to take control.
As a consultant solicitor, I am empowered to set my own my hours, to choose the projects I work on and the clients I work with. I have the perfect blend of independence and professional growth opportunities, allowing me to leverage my expertise and operate in a more dynamic and personalised manner.
My clients come from a range of industries which keeps the work interesting and challenging, providing continuous learning opportunities and broadening my professional network further.
I have control over my career path and decisions and can tailor my services to my strengths and interests.
As a working professional, especially in the area of corporate and commercial law, it’s very easy to allow work to dominate every aspect of life. Consultancy allows me to reverse that dynamic. I’m no longer tied to one location, one department, or one set of internal rules. I have the freedom to build my practice my way, without sacrificing professionalism or regulatory peace of mind.
And most importantly, I am now building something that belongs to me and being properly financially rewarded for my efforts.
Making the change: a calculated risk
Some assume that leaving employment to begin life as a consultant solicitor means starting from scratch, with all the risk that entails. It is no secret that unlike an employed position, consultancy work can be unpredictable, particularly as a corporate solicitor where workflow peaks and troughs can be more extreme. There are periods of high demand followed by quieter times, but having knowledge of this already, I felt prepared and was able to plan ahead to manage my financial stability. As a consultant, I am responsible for finding my own clients, managing contracts and handling administrative tasks. I was fortunate when I made the leap that I had already gained experience in building a client base and had a strong a network of professional contacts, all of whom have been incredibly supportive of my change in direction. That said, 360 also provides a proportion of the work required, helping to ease the pressure and ensure a more balanced workload.
Working as a consultant can be an isolating experience after being used to working in team environment within a traditional firm. I can safely say that being a part of 360 is like being part of an extended family – I have been able to build relationships with other very talented solicitors within our consultant network both in the UK and abroad, as well as drawn on their expertise in niche and new areas of law previously unavailable to me. I personally have never felt isolated or alone at any point.
Making the decision to leave employment was a calculated risk, but I quickly realised that 360 offers is the best of both worlds: the freedom of being self-employed with the safety net of a well-established platform.
I now operate my own practice under the umbrella of 360 Law Services – an established, regulated firm, with all the infrastructure and compliance support I need, but without any of the internal politics or rigidity of a traditional firm hierarchy. All the essential services such as client onboarding, billing and credit control are handled seamlessly by a centralised team, so I can focus on the law and my clients.
Operating under the umbrella of 360 Business Law in addition to 360 Law Services also gives me access to a global network of solicitors and clients in over 90 jurisdictions. For someone like me, who has always been interested in cross-border commercial work, this opens up huge opportunities I never thought would be possible, especially when I do not work in London or one of the “legal hotspot” cities.
Looking forward: creating a firm of value
My goal is not just to work differently – it’s to create a firm of value. For me, that means developing a loyal client base, building a strong personal brand, building a team around me and creating long-term recurring revenue, all of which are entirely possible (and encouraged) within the 360 structure.
I’m no longer “just a lawyer”—I’m a business owner. My mindset has changed and I now think like a business owner – an entrepreneur, managing relationships, growth, and my own reputation. And that shift in mindset has been both challenging and invigorating at the same time.
Since I began my journey last year, I have already taken on my first member of staff and brought on board an additional business development manager to help me as my practice continues to grow. There’s no cap on earnings, and no artificial limits placed on success. And with flexible pricing structures, including fixed fees and subscription models, I can offer clients real value without compromising my own margins.
Why 360?
When choosing a consultancy firm to join, there were several key factors to consider in making that decision. I realised early on that I needed to join a firm that would support my practice area and had a strong reputation in order to provide credibility and attract high-quality clients. I also knew that I would need administrative and marketing support, and efficient, streamlined systems that were easy to get to grips with to help me to focus on delivering my core legal work.
I settled on 360 Law Services and 360 Business Law because they aligned closely with my values and professional goals, have a keen focus on providing legal services to businesses, and foster a positive and collaborative culture. They’re innovative, tech-savvy, and incredibly supportive across all areas.
And what’s more, they offer opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects that match my expertise and interests. The systems are efficient, and the leadership is accessible and collaborative. It’s a place where entrepreneurial lawyers are encouraged to thrive, not held back
The right decision
Leaving employment to become a consultant solicitor was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my legal career. I’m more productive, more focused, and more present – both for my clients and my family. It’s not about working less, but about working better. And in a profession known for burnout and long hours, that shift is invaluable.
Transitioning from an employed solicitor to a consultant is without doubt a significant step that offers both challenges and rewards. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted or those who aren’t prepared to put in the work in the early days to build a network and develop their business skills beyond legal expertise.
But with careful planning and a proactive approach, I can safely say from my own experience that it can provide an alternative opportunity to build a fulfilling and successful career.
There is a different way to practise law. And for me, it began with 360.
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Interested in hearing more about consultancy or making the move yourself? I’m always happy to share my experience—feel free to connect.
