The CEO discusses the learning experience of scaling up a consultant-led law firm
Chris Setford is CEO of Setfords Solicitors, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
What was your route into the profession?
After studying law at Nottingham Trent University I had a wobble and nearly didn’t progress my career. I travelled the world, worked as a chef and took a dozen other jobs before coming to my senses and enrolling on the LPC at Guildford College of Law.
I found the LPC far more interesting than my degree and following my training contract at a reputable regional firm I took a corporate role at a boutique commercial firm in West Sussex called Paul Davidson Taylor, before joining my cousin Guy at Setfords Solicitors in 2009 as a partner.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Every day running and growing Setfords has been a challenge. I was three years PQE and 30 years old when I started scaling-up Setfords and everything has been a learning experience, carrying with it a significant amount of stress, but also a tremendous amount of job satisfaction. There is no feeling quite like seeing a lawyer who was overworked and underpaid being able to take control of their career and achieve work-life balance. It was always our aim to improve the lives of both lawyers and their clients and I feel very proud that we achieve that goal every day.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
My old boss at PDT, Noel Ruddy. He was a great mentor. He’s a superb lawyer, highly respected and remains a very good friend.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I am a businessman first and a lawyer second. Whatever I did in life it would ultimately involve me running a business, so long as it gave me variety. Through running Setfords I have the opportunity to work in so many areas including marketing, risk and compliance, HR, business development, web development, accounting, the list is endless. This suits me.
Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad. Hilarious.
What change would you make to the profession?
I read recently that over 40% of lawyers who took part in a survey wished they had never become lawyers to start with. That’s a shocking statistic. Lawyers need better support and a better way of working and through Setfords Solicitors we are helping to make that change.
How do you relax?
Hot tubs, hot tubs and more hot tubs.
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