Make the benefits of lockdown permanent

There have been benefits to lockdown and as restrictions ease now is the time to think about making those changes permanent. Many dads have enjoyed swapping long commutes for family time. Cognitive Law is an innovative law firm that helps solicitors set up as self employed under their umbrella.

Cognitive Law’s Amy Pulling sets out the changes that many solicitor dads have had to get to grips with. (And makes the case for her firm’s way of working!)

When lockdown measures were introduced back in March many office workers across the country had to adapt to a home working environment. The change from being office based to home based will have taken some adjusting but may well have bought many benefits that were previously unheard of.

Tension

Solicitor dads who formerly left the house early and returned home late in the evening now find themselves with a once in a lifetime chance to spend more time with their family. Although this may have led to some tension in an attempt to juggle working and home schooling there will be many who appreciate that the benefits of being around more for the children far outweigh the negatives.

The enforced lockdown has allowed dads to re-integrate with the family again. Extra time in the day where they previously had to commute can now be valuable time spent with partners and children. It’s not always about ‘making memories’, it’s often the everyday activities such as eating together, reading bedtime stories, and helping with homework that children appreciate and remember. It’s those activities that most working dads would love to be involved in but find work pressures get in the way and make it impossible.

As the lockdown eases and you return to “normal” life (whatever that may look like!) are there any aspects of lockdown that you’d like to keep? For example, having the chance to retain that fantastic bond with your children whilst maintaining a successful legal career. A lot of solicitors that I speak to are finding real benefits in working from home and would like them to continue once lockdown is over. One partner I spoke to was revelling in finding an extra three hours in his day now he doesn’t have to commute (although home-schooling wasn’t going that well!).

Work life balance

If that’s the case, we can offer a solution. Become a consultant solicitor.

At Cognitive Law we give hard working solicitors the opportunity to create a true work life balance around their family. It’s ultimately the reason why Cognitive Law was born. We understand how important family is and that your productivity is greater if you are happy in your home life. We have always entrusted our solicitors with the freedom to work where they like, with whom they like and at times most convenient to them. This means you can schedule your work around your family, not the other way round.

Having complete control of managing your working life means it is also much more achievable for two parents to both maintain their careers if they so wish. No more battles over whose job is more important, who will have to take the children to appointments or who is going to take the dog to the vets. We don’t bat an eyelid if a consultant takes time out of their day to attend Sports Day, in fact we don’t even know because their time is their own to do as they wish with it.

Office politics

Flexible, remote working enables you to experience the best of both worlds, a happy family and a successful career. You’ll never have to worry about partners’ meetings, commuting or office politics again. It gives you the chance to leave behind the pressures experienced as a solicitor in a traditional law firm, reduces your stress level and takes some of the strain off your family relationships. It also goes without saying that lower stress levels bring huge health benefits.

Before this seems to be a too good to be true solution, I must be clear that becoming a self-employed consultant solicitor is not an easy option. It takes hard work and determination, but if you have a passion and drive you can truly reap the rewards.

If you like the sound of becoming a consultant solicitor, it would be great to hear from you. We have a team at Head office to fully support you with all issues from admin, to billing to marketing and we can help you build up a client base if you don’t already have one. Contact me on [email protected] or call me on 0333 400 4499. You can also take a look at our Join Us page for more information.

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• flexible working practices