Navigating uncertainty: The challenge of consulting
We asked respondents about the downsides of life as a consultant lawyer and found an interesting contradiction. Flexibility might be one of the biggest pros of choosing a consulting path, but the unpredictable nature casts a shadow of uncertainty.
Consultant lawyers sometimes face enforced periods of unemployment at times when they would be keen to have the work. But interestingly, it wasn't the actual instances of downtime that troubled our respondents, but the worry it triggered.
Embracing uncertainty was a common thread, with one respondent highlighting the importance of being okay with knowing a project is ending, and not feeling pressured to go into something else straight away.
“As it turns out, downtime has been quite short. I had two months off at the beginning of the year, when really I would have preferred to have been doing some work. At times I wish I’d pushed my engagement [or account] manager more, and signed up with more ALSPs, but I’m also glad I didn’t as there’s been a constant flow of work since.”
Top concerns about becoming a consultant
%
Consistent stream of work
%
Associated admin workload
%
Being perceived as less ambitious
“I’ve learned there are two types of time off — those that I choose, and those that I don’t — and I’ve learned to embrace both!”
