Why Small Firms Deliver Big Results

By Lucy Tarrant, Managing Director, Cognitive Law

When it comes to choosing a law firm, it’s easy to assume that bigger means better. Big names. Big offices. Big teams. But after more than 30 years in the legal industry, I’ve seen first-hand that what clients (especially business owners) really want is not size, it’s service. That’s why at Cognitive Law we’ve built a consultancy that puts people before process, relationships before red tape, and quality over quantity.

A boutique firm with big expertise

At first glance, we might not look like every other law firm and that’s exactly the point. We’re proud to be organically home grown. We haven’t acquired or merged with another firm, and we have hand-picked every lawyer with whom we work. We’re quietly ambitious about our growth but vehemently opposed to playing the numbers game just to get bums on seats.

Careful cultivation of our boutique firm means we’re small enough to care about every single client, yet broad enough in expertise to meet all of their needs; from commercial litigation to employment law, later life planning, and most recently (and excitingly), residential property.

Our newly launched residential property service offers a personal and responsive approach to what can often be a stressful process. Led by experienced consultant property lawyer Sara Le Grove, the service is already being recognised for its clarity, efficiency, and calm professionalism. For homeowners juggling multiple demands, having direct, one-to-one in-person support from start to finish offers reassurance and quick results that are often hard to find.

Direct access. Real relationships.

One of the most common frustrations clients have with law firms is the layers they have to go through just to speak to their lawyer. At Cognitive Law, there are no switchboards, secretaries, or gatekeepers. When you work with one of our consultants, you get direct contact from the start and that doesn’t stop when the clock hits 5pm.

Our lawyers work for themselves, which means they have the autonomy to structure their days and relationships in a way that works best for their clients, many of whom are other busy professionals and business owners. Want to agree a payment structure that suits your cash flow? Need to speak to us after traditional office hours? We can do that. Every client is looked after by a lawyer who is motivated, flexible, and focused on delivering value, not chasing billable hours.

Consultants who love what they do

Because our consultants have complete flexibility in how, when,  where and for whom they work, they’re genuinely able to enjoy practising the law without any other distractions. We regularly hear things like, “I love being able to do the work I want to do, when I want to do it, without having to get involved with the running of the firm.” That freedom not only improves their wellbeing, but it also means that clients are getting legal advice from someone who is energised and enthusiastic, not exhausted or pulled in other directions by competing pressures.

We’re a home for experienced lawyers who don’t want to work within rigid structures or be answerable to anyone other than themselves. They want to give their clients more, not just in terms of service, but in their time and empathy. The result is having clients who feel heard and supported from beginning to end.

Giving back

Our charity work isn’t a box-ticking exercise, it’s driven by genuine passions within our team. Working flexibly allows our lawyers the freedom to support the causes that matter most to them.

For example, our later life consultant Richard Bates has just taken on the coast-to-coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Scarborough to raise money for The Starr Trust, a fantastic Brighton-based charity that supports young people to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. We’re incredibly proud to support him in this challenge.

As a firm, we also champion St Barnabas House Hospice (part of the Southern Hospice Group), Focus Foundation, and George’s Rockstars, among others. Each charity we support reflects the interests of our individual consultants and the wider values we hold as a firm.

Sussex roots, national reach

While we’re based in Sussex and deeply connected to the Brighton business community, our consultants and clients span the country. Thanks to our flexible model and smart use of technology, we’re able to deliver outstanding service wherever our clients are without ever losing that boutique, personal feel.

Bigger isn’t always better (No sniggering at the back please!)

Is bigger always better when it comes to legal advice? We don’t think so. At Cognitive Law, we believe that the best results come from real relationships; and those are easier to build when you’re working directly with someone who sees you, not a case file. When you’re working with someone who’s invested in your outcome, experienced in your sector, and has the freedom to work in a way that suits you.

We may be boutique, but we’re built for impact. And we’ll continue proving that small firms really can deliver big results.

www.cognitivelaw.co.uk