The legal profession is changing. Over the past few years, more and more lawyers have started to ask themselves a simple question: Is there a better way to practise law?
At Cognitive Law, we’ve long believed that there is — and now we have the research to back it up. We recently conducted a survey of 40 UK-based legal professionals, asking them to compare their experiences working in traditional law firms versus working as self-employed consultant solicitors.
The results were striking.
What we learned
The results of our survey painted a consistent picture: consultant lawyers are not only working differently — they’re thriving.
- Working hours stood out immediately. Lawyers in traditional firms clocked an average of 43.45 hours per week, while consultants reported just 31.43. That’s over 12 extra hours a week — time that consultants are using to manage personal responsibilities, spend with family, or simply take a breather.
- When we asked about flexibility, the difference was just as stark. Only 19.1% of employed lawyers described their working hours as “very flexible,” compared to a huge 85.7% of consultants. Even more telling — 14.4% of traditional firm lawyers said they had no flexibility at all.
- Control over workload is another major benefit of consultancy. While just 23.8% of traditional lawyers said they had full control over their caseloads and schedules, 85.7% of consultants said they do. That autonomy means consultants can choose the work that suits them — and say no when they need to.
- When it came to job satisfaction, the gap was even wider. Every consultant surveyed (100%) described themselves as “very satisfied” in their role. In contrast, only 36.4% of employed lawyers said the same. It’s a clear indication that lawyers in consultancy are finding more meaning, enjoyment, and balance in their work.
- Financial fairness was another strong theme. Just 27.3% of employed lawyers felt their compensation reflected their effort — a common source of frustration in traditional firms. Among consultants, 85.7% felt they were fairly rewarded, thanks in part to a model where effort and income are directly linked.
- And finally, stress and wellbeing: more than half (54.6%) of employed lawyers reported experiencing burnout or high stress in the last year. Among consultants, that figure dropped to just 28.6%. By choosing when, how, and with whom they work, consultants are better positioned to protect their mental health.
Together, these insights paint a picture of a profession in transition — one where more lawyers are seeking (and finding) a way to practise law on their own terms.
What Lawyers are saying
In response to the survey question “What do you enjoy most about being a consultant lawyer?” here are what some of the respondents said:
“Having the freedom to do the work I want to do at a time that I want to do it.”
“Flexibility and lack of targets. Responsibility for own caseload.”
“Protected. Non-committed. Varied.”
“The variety of clients.”
“Flexibility!”
“Setting my own times, days and choosing which clients I want.”
“The freedom to choose my work and my hours so that I can meet my financial targets and also spend more time on home-related things.”
These aren’t just nice-to-haves. For many lawyers, this level of control and personal alignment is what turns a career into a calling.
Making the move
Of course, consultancy isn’t for everyone. It comes with freedom — but also responsibility. You need confidence, a clear sense of what you want from your career, and a willingness to build something of your own. But for those ready to make the leap, the rewards are clear: flexibility, fair pay, autonomy, and control over your career path.
The legal landscape is shifting. This report confirms what many lawyers already suspect: consultancy isn’t a second-best option — it’s a modern, empowering alternative to the traditional law firm model.
Want to learn more?
If this has sparked your interest, you can explore the full findings of our Consultancy vs Traditional Law Research Report 2025.
📄 Download the full report here
And if you’re curious about what it’s like to work as a consultant solicitor at Cognitive Law, we’d love to chat. Contact us on mail@cognitivelaw.co.uk or call us on 0333 400 4499.