Value Added Partner Spotlight
10th July 2023
Author EditorPosted on Categories Legal
We meet Lucy Tarrant, a solicitor and Managing Director of Cognitive Law, to learn more about the ground-breaking, flexible legal practice that rewards its people based on individual results.
Tell us about the Cognitive Law story
Cognitive Law was born out of the desire for change, on a personal and professional basis. Having worked in traditional legal practices for many years I could see that there was a need for a firm that allowed its solicitors to work when, where and for whom they wanted.
The aim was to build a firm in which all solicitors have maximum flexibility to live their lives as well as practising law, and one in which they are remunerated directly on their own results. Becoming a self-employed consultant solicitor allows the best of both worlds and it’s an empowering way of working!
What has been your biggest business challenge to date?
Attracting like-minded solicitors has been harder than I anticipated. To me, the Cognitive model is a no brainer but I had overlooked how naturally risk-averse solicitors are. Granted, it’s not for everyone but it’s been slower to connect with entrepreneurial solicitors who want to govern their own working lives than I had envisaged.
Saying that, we’re quite fussy about whom we work with; and we have always been determined to foster a collegiate environment rather than engage with solicitors for the sake of growing the numbers. Nevertheless, we’re always delighted to chat to solicitors who would like to work in a different way from the norm.
What has been your greatest or proudest business achievement to date?
Without a doubt, buying out my former business partner and flying solo. Without him Cognitive would not have got started, but I am really chuffed with the growth that has been achieved since I took over the sole running of the firm.
Naturally, it’s hard work – but the team I have around me is super strong and we’ve continued to build the firm together. And being nominated for Lawyer of the Year in the 2023 Dynamic Business Awards – that is a close second!
What type of clients do you currently work with and who are you looking to meet?
My personal specialism is providing commercial legal advice to recruitment companies, a sector I love working in. I would happily meet with recruitment company owners all day long! As a firm though we are pretty much cross-sector from commercial property transactions to divorce, including insolvency, dispute resolution and later life planning.
Cognitive Law is also proud to have solicitors who are dual qualified in Spain, Gibraltar and the Philippines, who are able to offer legal services home and abroad. We are always delighted to speak to anyone who needs any of those services, and who want a pragmatic approach that we are renowned for providing.
Tell us a story/fact about yourself that people might not know
I hold a full motorbike licence and used to ride a 500cc Honda around Brighton! I’ve always had a “try anything once” mentality and, in my 20s, I decided it would be a great idea to metaphorically stick 2 fingers up at the stereotype of a female trainee solicitor. Sadly, it was a short-lived hobby as I could barely touch the ground. I dropped the bike at a road junction and couldn’t pick it up, so I had to admit to myself that biker-chic was not for me and hung up my leathers.