The Legal Director allows lawyers to work flexibly at a senior level. So, I’m meeting Amanda (and Megan – Amanda’s adorable miniature schnauzer) – in a busy coffee shop near Bristol’s Downs to find out exactly what it’s like to be a Client Legal Director for The Legal Director.
So, Amanda, can you tell me how many clients you currently have with The Legal Director?
Between six and eight. I’ve got three larger retainer clients and several smaller clients with whom I dip in and out to help.
And for your retainer clients, how many days do you typically do for them a month?
It really varies. I currently work with one of them for two days a month. I’ve been working with them for four years. Initially, I was working three days a week for them.
I have another client on a short-term retainer for 12 weeks. I currently work with them two days a week.
And then my other larger client really varies. They are a group of events and sports clubs, so work can be quite seasonal. I get busier in the summer, but in wintertime or mid-season, the work tends to tail off a bit.
So, I think the main thing about retainers is that they’re all very different. Every client varies. You can tailor a package to meet the client’s needs and adjust it if their needs change.
Tell me a little about your clients. Do you support companies in a variety of sectors?
Absolutely. One of the things I like most about my role is that I work in different sectors. So, those three larger clients are in recruitment, events and sport, and research and development tax consulting. So, completely different areas!
You clearly have an interesting range of clients, and I know there’s also a lot of variety in the job, but if you had to describe a typical day as a Legal Director, what would that look like?
I’d say most of my work is contract-related, either drafting contracts or advising on their enforcement or termination. But it is certainly not limited to that. Anything can land on my desk – corporate restructures, data protection issues, property-related queries, litigation, HR, and acquisitions. It can literally be ANYTHING. I pretty much provide the full range of General Counsel in-house support. Obviously, if something is very specialist or technical, I may not be able to handle it, so I help the client find an appropriate resource, either another consultant in The Legal Director group or an external provider.
And where do you sit in these organisations? You’re working at a senior level, aren’t you?
Yes, so I most commonly report to the Finance Director. Sometimes, it’s the CEO or the Managing Director. But the legal function quite often sits with finance because the Finance Director will often look after facilities, property and back-office services. There’s lots of crossover with legal there.
It sounds like you could work as much as you want, but you don’t work full-time, do you?
No, I haven’t worked full-time since I had the kids, and I’ve never wanted to return to work full-time. When I left my last position, I looked around, and all the senior legal roles I came across were full-time. I didn’t want to do that, which was a big factor in joining The Legal Director – for the flexibility and the ability to work part-time at a senior level.
I generally try to work three days a week, but that can change depending on how busy I am.
And, in your spare time, Amanda, what do you like to do?
Dog walking, obviously. My allotment – that takes up a lot of time. I also go to the gym and basically do other jobs related to the running of the family and the house. I’m glad I don’t have to spend my weekends shopping, washing, and keeping on top of “life-min”.
I know we can all relate to that. So, with the coffees drunk and Meg looking lively, we headed up to the Downs for a walk.
If you’re a senior lawyer from an in-house background and looking for a different way of working with more flexibility and more control, have a look at our ‘Working with the Legal Director’ guide or contact our Recruitment Manager Georgina Rylance for a chat on 07305 902876 or georgina.rylance@thelegaldirector.co.uk.
And discover your perfect flexible or part-time in the legal sector on the Investing in Women job board here.