Why Are So Many Lawyers Choosing to Set Up Their Own Law Firms?

Written by George Bisnought – Founder & CEO

When I founded Excello Law, my vision was simple: to create a platform where talented, entrepreneurial lawyers could break free from the restrictions of traditional firms and take control of their careers by setting up their own legal businesses. My own experience as a private practice solicitor and in industry revealed many frustrations—office politics, inflexibility, lack of control over my career, and inadequate rewards for my efforts. I saw firsthand how traditional structures often stifled innovation and limited the ability of lawyers to truly serve their clients in a way that aligned with their values and expertise.

More and more lawyers are reaching the same conclusion and choosing to break away from the constraints of conventional firms. The legal profession has long been associated with rigid hierarchies, restrictive billing targets, and limited career progression opportunities. Many lawyers are now seeking alternatives that allow them to work on their own terms, prioritise their clients, and build businesses that reflect their personal vision and expertise.

As a client myself, I also saw that the profession wasn’t always working effectively, with issues around quality, cost, and accessibility. I knew there had to be a better way. That’s why at Excello, we offer lawyers the freedom to create their own legal businesses, develop strong client relationships, and build brands that reflect their expertise and values—all while benefiting from our infrastructure, compliance support, and collaborative community. This model allows lawyers to break away from rigid frameworks and build practices that truly represent who they are and how they want to work.

A key differentiator is our House of Brands initiative, which allows lawyers to set up their own firms under the Excello Law umbrella as registered trading names. This innovative programme fosters entrepreneurship while enabling lawyers to focus on practice and growth, with Excello managing insurance, compliance, and administrative tasks. The initiative has been a major success, doubling in size over the past year and integrating new firms and talent into our ecosystem. By providing this flexible and supportive environment, we empower lawyers to take control of their careers without the burden of traditional law firm management.

Why Are Lawyers Making the Leap?

I recently spoke with three outstanding lawyers who have embraced this approach— Natalia Shvarts and House of Brands founders Katie McCann and Charlotte Gale. Their experiences highlight why so many lawyers today are opting to launch their own firms rather than remain in traditional law firm structures.

Katie and Charlotte both had successful careers in large firms but felt constrained by the traditional structure. For Katie, the rigid framework of conventional firms limited her ability to innovate and tailor solutions for her clients. She expressed her frustration, saying, “In many law firms, creativity is dimmed by billable hours and rigid expectations. I wanted to develop new solutions tailored to my clients and run my practice my way.” Breaking away from this structure allowed her to approach legal services with a fresh perspective, creating strategies that were truly aligned with her clients’ needs.

For Charlotte, the motivation to start her own firm was deeply personal. She wanted to create something that reflected her identity and values, rather than conforming to an impersonal corporate brand. “I wanted to build a brand that reflected me and my values. Creating something personal was key,” she explained. By establishing her own practice, she was able to shape a business that was authentic to her vision and resonated with the clients she wanted to serve.

Natalia shared similar frustrations, pointing out the limitations of the traditional corporate career path.

“There was only one clear career path, and it didn’t appeal to me. The corporate world lacked transparency on salaries and opportunities, and corporate priorities often overshadowed human needs. I wanted to build something that worked for me,”

This desire for control and flexibility drove her to establish her own practice, where she could prioritise her clients and professional aspirations in a way that made sense for her.

What Are the Key Considerations When Starting Your Own Law Firm?

Starting a law firm requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. While the independence was attractive, all three lawyers understood that they needed support with compliance, administration, and infrastructure. Katie, for example, recognised the complexities of running a legal business beyond just practicing law. “When I was considering how to start a law firm, the management side of running a firm—compliance, HR, office space—was a big concern,” she admitted. “Excello provided the framework so I could focus on my clients and brand.” This support structure allowed her to dedicate her time to legal work rather than operational challenges.

Charlotte echoed this sentiment, emphasising how Excello’s flexible approach helped her build a practice that suited her needs. “Excello listened to what we wanted and didn’t force us into a pre-defined model. Their flexibility made all the difference,” she said. By tailoring their support to her business rather than enforcing a rigid structure, Excello allowed her to create a firm that truly represented her vision.

Branding was another key focus in setting up their firms. Charlotte and Katie were both determined to differentiate themselves from traditional law firms and establish a strong, recognisable identity. “We didn’t just want to be another law firm—we wanted to stand out,” Charlotte explained. This required strategic branding efforts, from website design to marketing and client communication.

Natalia highlighted the importance of clear communication in building a brand. “It’s not just about being a good lawyer; it’s about communicating that effectively to clients,” she said. Having expertise is one thing, but ensuring potential clients recognise and trust that expertise is equally crucial.

What Are the Advantages of Having Your Own Law Firm?

For all three lawyers, having a clear and defined niche has been instrumental in their success. Specialisation allows them to stand out, build reputations as true experts, and command premium fees for their services.

Katie reflected on this, stating, “When you focus on a niche, you become known as the expert in that area. Clients come to you because they know you understand their problems inside out—that’s a huge competitive advantage.”

Natalia agreed, adding, “It also makes the work more enjoyable because you’re constantly working on matters you’re passionate about and with clients who value your expertise.”

The sense of pride and fulfilment they all expressed was striking. For each of them, building their own practice has been transformative, both professionally and personally.

Katie described the journey: “It’s been incredibly rewarding to build something from the ground up that truly reflects who I am as a lawyer and as a person.”

Charlotte emphasised the importance of independence: “It’s not always easy, but the freedom and the satisfaction of knowing it’s all yours—that’s worth everything. I know I’m giving a personalised service to my clients too and they have really felt the benefits of that.”

Natalia summed it up perfectly:

“It’s been the best decision I’ve made for my career and my family. I have control, flexibility, and the ability to shape my practice the way I want it.”

With more lawyers seeking autonomy, fulfilment, and the opportunity to work in a way that aligns with their values, it’s no surprise that so many are choosing to set up their own firms. The legal industry is evolving, and platforms like Excello Law are making it easier than ever for entrepreneurial lawyers to succeed on their own terms.

Why Start a Law Firm with Excello Law?

Excello Law focuses on understanding each lawyer’s individual goals and working collaboratively to provide the support they need. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach,” Natalia explained. “It’s all bespoke, based on the lawyer’s needs and the type of practice they want to build.”

Katie shared her experience in choosing Excello: “I looked around at what was available in the marketplace. Excello stood out for its clarity and transparency from the start. Every interaction confirmed the positive experience I had from day one. For me, I found my home.”

Charlotte echoed this sentiment: “There was never a ‘no, you can’t do that’ or ‘compliance won’t like that.’ It was always, ‘Yes, let’s find a way to make it work.’ That entrepreneurial attitude was fantastic—it was all about helping me grow my practice.”

Hearing stories like these is exactly why I founded Excello Law. Our lawyer-first approach means we take the time to understand each lawyer’s individual ambitions, values, and goals—and we shape our support around them.

Whether it’s a personal brand like Natalia’s, or an innovative platform like House of Brands, we provide the infrastructure, community, and flexibility to help entrepreneurial lawyers thrive. Our House of Brands initiative has been pivotal in positioning Excello Law as a leader in fostering innovation within the alternative law firm market. By empowering entrepreneurial lawyers to establish their own firms under the Excello Law umbrella, we have created a platform for sustainable growth and opportunity.

In the past year alone, the House of Brands has doubled in size, integrating firms such as Ionic Legal, DBA Law, Cargo Law, Ocean Legal, and Livida Legal, bringing in 17 lawyers and 5 paralegals. The future of law belongs to independent, client-focused, entrepreneurial lawyers, and at Excello Law, we’re proud to help them build it—on their own terms.

By choosing to start their own law firms, lawyers are reclaiming control over their careers, their brands, and their client relationships. Excello Law provides the perfect balance—offering the autonomy lawyers crave, with the support they need to succeed. As more legal professionals seek alternatives to traditional firms, it’s clear that this model isn’t just a trend; it’s the future of the profession.