Life as a Consultant Lawyer: Corporate/Commercial Partner Damion Way

Damion Way started his career as a lawyer in the Magic Circle. After building and selling his own legal recruitment business, he returned to practising law, this time as a consultant. 

Embracing the Unknown: The Initial Leap into Legal Consultancy

The fear of the unknown is real. As Damion notes, joining a consulting firm like Mezzle is a significant departure from traditional law firm environments. You are stepping into a realm where independence and personal accountability are paramount.

But it's also a leap into a world of opportunity. You can shape your practice according to you own vision, values, and interests. For Damion, that's helping entrepreneurs like him set themselves up for success.

The Snowball Effect: Building Client Relationships Through Referrals

One of the most powerful aspects of consultancy is the exponential growth you can generate through client referrals. Damion recently had a client refer him to another, and that client then referred him to a third client. This 'snowball effect' is a testament to the quality of service and personal touch that a consultant can offer.

For consultant lawyers, every client relationship is crucial. Providing exceptional service to one client can open doors to several more. This organic growth is a stark contrast to the often rigid and hierarchical client acquisition strategies seen in larger law firms.

The Solo Advantage: How Individual Consultants Outpace Bigger Firms

Working as an individual consultant under Mezzle offers unique advantages. Unlike larger firms, where bureaucracy and multiple layers of communication can slow down processes, consultants can operate with agility and responsiveness. Damion highlights how noticeable the difference in response times can be when dealing with larger firms, where delays are common due to their size and complexity.

As a solo consultant, you have the autonomy to make decisions quickly and efficiently. This is better for clients too. They get their matter sorted faster, ultimately leading to stronger client relationships that will grow over time.

Navigating Workloads: Comparing Solo Work with Big Law Firms

The workload in consultancy can differ dramatically from that in large law firms. While big firms may handle multi-million-dollar deals involving extensive teams and resources, consultants often work on smaller, more manageable projects. Damion notes that although the scale of work might be different, the quality and impact of the work remain high. Clients come to consultant lawyers to have senior experience on every stage of their matter.

Consultants must be adept at managing their time and resources effectively. This often means juggling multiple roles, from client meetings to administrative tasks. This also allows for a more personalised approach to each case, ensuring that clients receive dedicated and focused attention.

Your Practice at Mezzle

Unlike traditional firms, Mezzle provides an umbrella under which individual consultants can thrive, without the constraints of a hierarchical structure. This model fosters innovation, agility, and a client-centric approach.

For Damion Way, the transition to Mezzle has been transformative. It has allowed him to return to practising law with a renewed sense of purpose and autonomy.

Get in touch with Damion to chat with him about his practice and how he sets businesses up for success.