For Barristers
Strategic advisory for barristers in solo practice and solicitors preparing to transition to the Bar, focused on practice design, systems, workflow and sustainable growth.
Advisory For Barristers In Solo Practice
Barristers are, by their very nature, solo practitioners.
For that reason, much of the work we do with solo lawyers is directly relevant to barristers, albeit within the distinct professional and regulatory realities of the Bar.
Barristers face a set of structural constraints that are not easily resolved by “working harder”.
These include short to medium term capacity ceilings, the limits of time-based billing, reliance on chambers systems, and uneven cash flow over which they often have limited control.
Ippolito Advisory works with barristers who want to think deliberately about how their practice is designed and how it is performing while treating the practice as the business that it is.
Paul Ippolito advises barristers in solo practice, and solicitors transitioning to the Bar, on practice structure, systems, workflow, positioning, niching, marketing, and the practical impact of technology and AI.
Common Issues At The Bar
Barristers often seek advice when dealing with:
hard capacity limits and time-for-money ceilings
inefficient, poorly implemented, or non-existent systems and automation
administrative friction
fee leakage
inconsistent cash flow and income volatility
over-reliance on referrals from a small number of sources
chambers-related inefficiencies and inertia
discomfort or uncertainty with marketing and positioning
uncertainty about the impact of AI on practice
These patterns tend to emerge regardless of seniority, practice area, or chambers.
What Our Work Focuses On
Our work with barristers is practical and advisory.
It commonly focuses on:
improving practice structure and workflow
reducing dependence on pure billable hours
introducing systems and automation for routine work
using AI sensibly as a second brain and thinking partner
strengthening positioning and practice direction
supporting better decision-making under constraints
The aim is not scale for its own sake.
It is control, clarity, and the sustainability of the existing practice.
This work is advisory.
It is not operational management or generic productivity coaching.
Solicitors Transitioning To The Bar
We also work with solicitors who are preparing to move to the Bar.
This work focuses on the realities of independent practice, including:
understanding what you are stepping into
establishing a practice deliberately
practice areas, niching, and positioning
marketing yourself appropriately
capacity, systems, and workflow
managing income volatility
This sits alongside, and does not replace, formal Bar processes or mentoring.
How Engagements Begin
Most engagements begin with an initial complimentary 15-minute consultation by telephone or Zoom to discuss your circumstances and determine whether there is a mutual fit.
If appropriate, this is followed by a structured strategy session (approximately 60–90 minutes) to work through your concerns and identify the issues most relevant to your practice.
Where suitable, this may then be followed by ongoing advisory support or periodic reviews.
We do not offer generic programs.
We say no when it is not the right fit.
And we do not sugar-coat our advice.