What Is a Consultant Solicitor?

Summary

• A consultant solicitor is a qualified solicitor who works on a self-employed basis under the umbrella of a regulated law firm.
• Consultant solicitors usually operate through a personal service company (PSC) or limited company and earn income through a fee-share model.
• The model gives experienced solicitors more flexibility, autonomy, earning potential, and control over their client relationships.
• Host firms such as Nexa Law provide the regulatory, compliance, insurance, technology, administrative, and business support needed to practise effectively.
• The consultant solicitor model is best suited to experienced lawyers with an existing client base, strong referral network, or the confidence to build their own practice.

In contrast to an employed solicitor, a consultant solicitor is a qualified legal professional who works on a self-employed basis under the umbrella of a regulated law firm. This may be a traditional law firm or a new model law firm such as Nexa Law.

The consultant solicitor model has become increasingly popular among experienced lawyers who want more freedom, greater control over their work, and a more direct relationship between the work they generate and the income they receive. For many solicitors, it offers an alternative to the traditional employed or partnership route, while still providing the professional infrastructure, compliance support, insurance, and systems needed to practise safely.

You may also see similar terms used, such as self-employed solicitor, freelance solicitor, fee-share solicitor, consultant lawyer, or legal consultant. Although these terms are not always identical, they often refer to a similar working model: an experienced lawyer practising independently while supported by a regulated law firm.

In this guide, we explain what a consultant solicitor is, how the model works, how consultant solicitors get paid, the advantages and challenges of becoming a consultant solicitor, and what to consider if you are thinking about joining Nexa Law.

What is a consultant solicitor in England and Wales?

A consultant solicitor in England and Wales is a qualified legal professional who provides legal services on a self-employed basis through a regulated law firm. Rather than being employed by the firm, the consultant solicitor usually contracts with the firm through their own limited company or personal service company (PSC).

Consultant solicitors at Nexa Law work as self-employed practitioners but deliver legal services under Nexa’s SRA-regulated entity. Nexa Law is responsible for the regulatory framework, compliance standards, insurance, systems, and operational support that allow consultants to practise effectively.

As a consultant solicitor, you can benefit from the reach, credibility, brand, and infrastructure of the law firm you contract with. At the same time, you retain more control over your work, your clients, your hours, and your earning potential than you would typically have as an employed solicitor.

How does the consultant solicitor model work?

The consultant solicitor model allows experienced solicitors to run their own practice within the structure of an established and regulated law firm. The consultant remains responsible for developing and managing their own client relationships, while the firm provides the legal, regulatory, administrative, and technological framework needed to support that work.

For consultant solicitors with Nexa Law, this support includes:

• Regulatory compliance – Nexa Law is regulated by the SRA.
• Professional indemnity insurance – consultants practise under Nexa’s insured legal framework.
• Legal technology and systems – including access to Practical Law, LEAP case management, and document management systems.
• File auditing and supervision – helping ensure work is completed to the required regulatory and professional standards.
• Billing and administration – reducing the time consultants spend on operational tasks.
• Business support services – including cashiering, credit control, postal scanning, telephone support, and fast payment processing.
• Marketing support – helping consultants promote their services and build their practice.
• Community and networking – giving consultants access to a wider network of experienced lawyers.

At Nexa Law, there are no start-up fees, so consultants can get set up and running quickly at Nexa’s cost. Most consultant solicitor firms operate a fee-share model. At Nexa Law, the standard fee-share is a 75/25 split, where you retain 75% of your billed fees. If you meet certain thresholds, this can increase to 85%.

How do consultant solicitors get paid?

Consultant solicitors are usually paid through a fee-share model. This means that instead of receiving a fixed salary, they retain an agreed percentage of the fees they bill and recover from clients.

For example, if a consultant solicitor bills and recovers legal fees, they keep a percentage of those fees and the host firm retains the remaining percentage in return for providing the infrastructure, regulation, insurance, administration, systems, and support needed to practise.

At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors retain 75% of their billed fees as standard. This can increase to 85% if certain billing thresholds are met.

This model creates a much more direct link between the work a solicitor generates and the income they receive. For experienced lawyers with a strong client base, referral network, or specialist expertise, this can create significantly greater earning potential than a traditional salaried role.

However, because consultant solicitors are self-employed, income is not guaranteed in the same way as an employee salary. Earnings depend on factors such as:

• The size and quality of your client base.
• Your ability to generate and convert new work.
• Your area of legal specialism.
• Your billing rates and recovery levels.
• Your working patterns and capacity.
• The level of support and infrastructure provided by the host firm.

Are consultant solicitors self-employed?

Yes. Consultant solicitors are typically self-employed and often operate through a limited company or personal service company. This means they are not employees of the law firm they work with.

As a self-employed consultant solicitor, you are generally responsible for your own tax arrangements, pension planning, holiday time, sick leave, and business development. You may also need your own accountant or tax adviser to help manage your company structure and financial obligations.

However, being self-employed does not mean practising alone or without support. At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors practise under Nexa’s SRA-regulated entity and benefit from the firm’s compliance, insurance, administrative, technological, and business support.

What are the advantages of becoming a consultant solicitor?

For many experienced solicitors, the consultant model provides an opportunity to build a more rewarding and flexible legal career. The main benefits include:

• Greater earning potential – because income is linked directly to billed and recovered fees.
• More autonomy – consultants have greater control over the clients they work with and the matters they take on.
• Flexible working – many consultants work remotely, from home, or around personal commitments.
• Better work/life balance – consultants can often structure their practice around the way they want to live and work.
• Control over client relationships – consultants can build and maintain long-term relationships with their own clients.
• Reduced firm politics – the model can remove some of the internal pressures associated with traditional law firm structures.
• Support without employment constraints – consultants benefit from firm infrastructure while retaining independence.
• Ability to build your own brand – consultants can develop their own professional reputation within the wider firm platform.

What are the disadvantages or challenges of being a consultant solicitor?

The consultant solicitor model is not right for everyone. While it offers significant freedom and earning potential, it also comes with responsibilities that may not suit every lawyer.

Some of the main challenges include:

• No guaranteed salary – income depends on the work you generate, bill, and recover.
• No employer-funded holiday or sick pay – time off must be planned and funded by you.
• Business development responsibility – consultants usually need to bring work with them or be confident generating new matters.
• Greater personal accountability – you are responsible for managing your time, clients, workload, and pipeline.
• Self-employment administration – you may need to manage company accounts, tax, pensions, and financial planning.
• Potential isolation – working independently can feel different from being in a traditional office environment, although firms such as Nexa provide networking and community support.

For this reason, the model is generally best suited to experienced solicitors who are commercially minded, self-motivated, and comfortable taking ownership of their career.

Can I become a consultant solicitor?

To become a consultant solicitor with Nexa Law, you must have at least eight years’ post-qualified experience (PQE).

The consultant solicitor model is most suited to legal professionals who already have an existing client following, a strong referral network, or the confidence to build one. It also suits solicitors who have strong time management, self-discipline, commercial awareness, and the desire for professional independence.

From our experience, consultant solicitors tend to be entrepreneurial by nature. They are proactive, client-focused, and want to take control of their own income, career direction, and work/life balance.

After all, when you are self-employed, you are in the driving seat.

Who is the consultant solicitor model best suited to?

The consultant solicitor model is especially well suited to experienced lawyers who want more control than a traditional employed role can offer. This may include:

• Senior associates who want more autonomy and a clearer link between performance and reward.
• Partners who want to move away from traditional firm politics, targets, or management responsibilities.
• Solicitors with an established client following.
• Specialist lawyers with a strong niche practice area.
• Lawyers returning to practice after a career break.
• Solicitors seeking more flexibility around family, caring responsibilities, travel, or lifestyle.
• Semi-retired lawyers who want to continue practising on their own terms.
• Entrepreneurial solicitors who want to grow their own practice with the support of an established firm.

It is usually less suitable for newly qualified solicitors or lawyers who still need close day-to-day supervision, a guaranteed salary, or a steady flow of work provided by an employer.

How to become a consultant solicitor

If you are considering becoming a consultant solicitor, it is important to assess both the opportunity and the responsibilities involved. A practical route usually involves the following steps:

1. Review your experience and suitability – consider your PQE, technical expertise, client relationships, and ability to work independently.
2. Assess your client base and referral network – consultant solicitors usually need to bring or build their own work.
3. Understand your likely earnings – estimate your billing potential and compare it with your current salary or partnership drawings.
4. Choose the right consultant law firm – compare fee-share percentages, support, systems, compliance, culture, and reputation.
5. Consider your company structure – many consultants operate through a limited company or PSC and take professional tax advice.
6. Plan your transition carefully – think about notice periods, client communication, regulatory requirements, and practical onboarding.
7. Build your practice – once set up, focus on delivering excellent client service, nurturing referral relationships, and growing your reputation.

Consultant solicitor vs employed solicitor vs partner

The consultant solicitor model sits somewhere between traditional employment and partnership. It offers more independence and earning potential than most employed roles, but without the same ownership structure, management burden, or politics that can come with partnership.

Feature	Consultant Solicitor	Employed Solicitor	Partner
Employment status	Self-employed / PSC	Employee	Equity or salaried partner, depending on firm structure
Income model	Fee-share from own work	Salary, sometimes with bonus	Salary, profit share, drawings, or equity return
Earning potential	High, linked directly to fees billed and recovered	Usually limited by salary band and bonus structure	Can be high, but may depend on firm performance and equity structure
Autonomy	High control over clients, workload, and hours	Limited by employer expectations and firm structure	High, but often with management and firm responsibilities
Business development	Consultant-led	Shared or firm-led	Usually a major requirement
Compliance and administration	Supported by the host firm	Handled by the employer	Often shared with firm management responsibilities
Holiday / sick pay	Self-funded	Employer-funded	Depends on firm structure
Risk	Income can vary depending on work generated	Lower personal financial risk	Can include financial, management, and ownership risk
Flexibility	High	Depends on employer policy	Can be high, but often balanced against firm responsibilities
Branding	Can build own profile within the firm platform	Usually relies on employer brand	Often tied closely to firm brand and ownership structure

Consultant solicitors vs freelance solicitors

The terms consultant solicitor and freelance solicitor are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not always the same thing.

A consultant solicitor usually works through a regulated law firm, using that firm’s compliance framework, insurance, systems, and administrative support. A freelance solicitor may operate in a different way depending on their regulatory status, the services they provide, and how they are authorised to practise.

For lawyers considering their options, the key question is not simply the title being used, but the structure behind it. You should understand who regulates the work, what insurance is in place, how client money is handled, what support is provided, and what responsibilities sit with you personally.

What support does Nexa Law provide to consultant solicitors?

One of the main advantages of joining Nexa Law as a consultant solicitor is that you do not have to build the operational infrastructure of a law firm yourself. Nexa provides the platform, systems, and support that allow you to focus on your clients and your work.

This includes:

Compliance and regulation

Nexa Law is SRA regulated and provides the compliance framework required for consultants to practise under the firm’s umbrella.

Professional indemnity insurance

Consultants benefit from the protection of practising through Nexa’s insured legal structure.

Technology and legal systems

Nexa provides access to law firm systems and software, including Practical Law, LEAP case management, and document management.

Billing, cashiering, and credit control

Consultants are supported with the financial administration needed to manage billing and payment processes efficiently.

Administrative support

Support includes postal scanning, telephone support, document handling, and other operational assistance.

Marketing and business development

Nexa provides marketing support to help consultants raise their profile and grow their practice.

Community and networking

Becoming a self-employed consultant does not mean losing connection with others in your profession. At Nexa Law, we understand that community spirit and meeting others are essential. We run face-to-face networking events each month around the UK and hold firm-wide events, including a Christmas party.

Is becoming a consultant solicitor worth it?

Becoming a consultant solicitor can be highly rewarding for the right person. If you are an experienced solicitor with a client base, referral network, or strong ability to generate work, the model can offer greater earning potential, more flexibility, and more control over your career.

However, it is important to be realistic. The model requires self-discipline, commercial confidence, and a willingness to take responsibility for your own pipeline and income. It is not simply a remote-working version of employment; it is a different way of practising law.

For solicitors who are ready for that level of independence, the consultant model can provide the best of both worlds: the freedom of self-employment with the support of an established, regulated law firm.

Final words

Becoming a consultant solicitor offers freedom, financial opportunity, and support without the constraints of traditional employment. It is most suited to experienced solicitors who want to take ownership of their careers, finances, clients, and work/life balance.

At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors can build their own practice while benefiting from the structure, systems, compliance support, insurance, and community of a modern regulated law firm.

FAQs

What is a consultant solicitor?

A consultant solicitor is a qualified solicitor who works on a self-employed basis under the umbrella of a regulated law firm. They usually manage their own clients and workload while using the firm’s compliance, insurance, systems, and administrative support.

Is a consultant solicitor self-employed?

Yes. Consultant solicitors are typically self-employed and often work through a limited company or personal service company. They are not usually employees of the law firm they contract with.

How does a consultant solicitor get paid?

Consultant solicitors are usually paid through a fee-share model. This means they keep an agreed percentage of the fees they bill and recover from clients, while the host firm retains the remaining percentage in return for providing support and infrastructure.

How much can a consultant solicitor earn?

A consultant solicitor’s earnings depend on their fee-share percentage, billing levels, client base, recovery rates, and working patterns. At Nexa Law, consultants keep 75% of their fees as standard, rising to 85% if certain thresholds are met.

What percentage of fees do consultant solicitors keep at Nexa Law?

At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors retain 75% of their billed fees as standard. This can increase to 85% if set billing thresholds are reached.

Do consultant solicitors need their own clients?

In most cases, yes. The consultant solicitor model is best suited to lawyers who have an existing client following, a strong referral network, or the confidence and ability to build their own client base.

Can consultant solicitors work remotely?

Yes. Many consultant solicitors work remotely or flexibly. This is one of the main attractions of the model, although the exact working arrangements may depend on the firm, the client, and the type of legal work being carried out.

Are consultant solicitors regulated by the SRA?

Consultant solicitors practising through Nexa Law deliver legal services under Nexa’s SRA-regulated entity. The firm provides the regulatory and compliance framework, while consultants must ensure their work complies with the relevant professional obligations.

What support does Nexa Law give consultant solicitors?

Nexa Law provides compliance support, professional indemnity insurance, legal software, case management systems, administration, billing support, cashiering, credit control, telephone support, postal scanning, marketing support, and regular networking opportunities.

What experience do I need to join Nexa Law as a consultant solicitor?

To become a consultant solicitor with Nexa Law, you need at least eight years’ post-qualified experience. The model is best suited to experienced solicitors who can manage their own clients, workload, and business development.

Can newly qualified solicitors become consultant solicitors?

The consultant solicitor model is generally not suitable for newly qualified solicitors because it requires independence, experience, commercial confidence, and the ability to generate or manage client work. Nexa Law requires consultant solicitors to have at least eight years’ PQE.

What is the difference between a consultant solicitor and an employed solicitor?

A consultant solicitor is self-employed, keeps a share of their fees, and has greater control over clients, hours, and workload. An employed solicitor receives a salary and works under the structure, targets, and policies set by their employer.

What is the difference between a consultant solicitor and a partner?

A partner may have ownership, management, or profit-sharing responsibilities within a traditional law firm. A consultant solicitor is self-employed and usually earns through a fee-share arrangement, often without the same management obligations or internal firm politics associated with partnership.

What are the disadvantages of being a consultant solicitor?

The main disadvantages are income variability, no employer-funded holiday or sick pay, responsibility for generating work, and the need to manage your own time, clients, and business pipeline. The model offers freedom, but it also requires discipline and commercial confidence.

Is becoming a consultant solicitor worth it?

For the right solicitor, yes. If you are experienced, entrepreneurial, and have the ability to generate work, becoming a consultant solicitor can offer greater flexibility, higher earning potential, and more control over your career than traditional employment.

Are you ready to take the next step to becoming a consultant solicitor? If so, please feel free to request a brochure today to learn more about joining Nexa Law. Or arrange a confidential call with John McAuley (Chief Commercial Officer) who will explain how the model works and answer any questions you have.