Guest post by Daniella Franken, the founder of Franken Law, a boutique legal consultancy offering legal advice to start-ups and growing businesses
Franken: Desire to do law differently
Some people know early on that they want to be a lawyer. They have a clear goal and a structured path. If that’s the case, it’s a great position to be in.
But many of us don’t have that clarity from the start. We figure it out by doing, by staying curious, testing different roles and learning what feels right (and what doesn’t).
That was my experience. I didn’t set out to follow a traditional path, and I certainly didn’t expect to one day launch my own legal consultancy, let alone operating outside the traditional regulated model.
But I’ve learned that the legal profession is far broader than it first appears, and there’s more than one way to build a meaningful career.
I’ve since learned that being a good lawyer doesn’t mean following a single path. In fact, bringing your own background, strengths, and perspective to the table often makes you a better one.
My path into law
When I graduated with a degree in English language and literature from Leeds University, I didn’t have a fixed plan. After completing the graduate diploma in law and legal practice course, I trained and qualified as a solicitor in-house at a hedge fund.
At the time, this route was still uncommon and not particularly encouraged. But it gave me early exposure to how legal advice operates in the real world; how it supports business decisions across various departments like finance, HR and marketing.
My route into law always felt unconventional. My parents didn’t go to university and I wasn’t surrounded by lawyers growing up. At the time, I saw that as a disadvantage because I didn’t know how a lawyer was ‘supposed’ to be.
In hindsight, that space allowed me to build my own idea of what a lawyer could look like.
Over the years, I worked in-house in both the UK and the Netherlands, mainly advising companies in finance, retail and sustainability. I loved the variety and the collaboration, but I also started to notice something: traditional legal services often didn’t meet the needs of small businesses or creatives. They were too rigid, too technical, or simply inaccessible.
I knew I wanted to offer something different, something more aligned with how these founders actually worked. That idea became the foundation of my own legal business.
Why I started Franken Law
Franken Law was born from a desire to do law differently. I work with freelancers, creatives and small businesses. Clients who are often building something for the first time and need guidance that’s flexible and effective. I focus on clarity and always aim to make legal processes feel manageable and accessible for the people I work with.
This career path of working independently wasn’t something I knew existed when I started out but it’s becoming more common. According to Flex Legal’s 2023 report, over 40% of junior lawyers now prefer flexible or portfolio careers. Legal work is shifting and so are the opportunities available.
Franken Law is an unregulated legal business, which means I don’t offer reserved activities like litigation or conveyancing.
This model allows me to focus on commercial and intellectual property work, offering practical legal guidance to founders and creatives without the traditional law firm overheads. For lawyers who are comfortable outside a regulated structure, this can be a flexible, entrepreneurial route worth exploring.
The legal landscape today
The legal industry is evolving faster than ever. Technology, AI and automation are transforming how legal services are delivered and what clients expect. We’re already seeing entirely new practice areas emerging, from AI regulation to sustainability law and data ethics.
When I started my career, in-house ESG (environmental, social and governance) roles barely existed. Now, they’re in high demand. Similar growth is happening in digital rights and tech regulation.
These areas are still forming, which makes them exciting spaces for junior lawyers who are willing to stay informed and adaptable.
Flexible working is also becoming the norm, and the legal world is gradually catching up. With the rise of freelance models, alternative legal services providers, remote work and the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, the profession is finally starting to reflect the broader shifts we see across other industries.
Exploring your options
If you’re unsure whether the traditional firm route is right for you (or you’re simply curious about what else is out there), there are a few actionable steps you can take:
- Build your professional presence online. Keep your LinkedIn profile current and aligned with your interests. It’s one of the easiest ways to connect with people in legal tech, policy, in-house roles, or consulting;
- Reach out with intention. If someone’s career path interests you, send a clear message with a specific ask – and do your research;
- Stay curious about new areas of law. Fields like AI, ESG and data protection are developing fast;
- Look beyond law firms. Consider in-house roles, regulatory bodies, start-ups, freelance legal work, or legal operations. These routes can offer more autonomy or alignment with your values; and
- Define your own version of success. Professional success in the legal world doesn’t have to mean partnership. It could be purpose, creativity, flexibility or freedom.
You don’t need permission to take an unconventional route; the legal profession is evolving and so can your journey in law.
If you are driven by curiosity, values or the desire to build something of your own, there is space for you to create a career that feels authentic to you. All while helping change the shape of the legal profession as you go.
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