*/
Orlagh Kelly outlines her journey from family law barrister to global technology entrepreneur
As a young student I dreamt of being in a courtroom, fighting for justice for my clients.
However, the reality of practice was that I spent 40% of my time running a small business. Administration, marketing, training, even credit control – all things I had to deal with as well as being the fee earner.
Instead of spending my time on the important legal drafting, it was taken up with the repetitive correspondence to solicitors about each and every case as well as recording completed work for fee notes, answering endless emails, keeping on top of expenses and CPD points. The list seemed endless and I was convinced there had to be an easier way. In May 2011, whilst sitting at my desk in the Bar Library, an idea started to form. There had to be a way I could manage my business more effectively which would allow me to do what I loved, practise law.
I wanted to use my down time during the working day better, such as waiting outside court or on the train, instead of having to work at night and at weekends. I wanted to deliver such a high quality service to solicitors and clients that I would be assured of new briefs. I wanted to feel in control of my practice, my accounts and paperwork so I could switch off at a reasonable hour, knowing everything was done. I wanted to spend less time working, but have a more profitable practice. I wanted a better work life balance. I needed a system.
At the outset, there seemed to be no obvious solution; however I knew it would involve technology. After much research, it became apparent that nothing existed to suit the unique way barristers work. So undeterred, I decided there was only one solution – I was going to develop this myself. With considerable uncertainty, I threw myself into the world of technology and software. Soon enough I found myself in my first meeting with software developers and at the start of the most exciting, challenging, anxiety-inducing rollercoaster ride I’ve experienced since my first six months at the Bar.
With the steepest learning curve imaginable, I now had to become an expert on technology, online security, data protection, as well as learning the language of business and how best to articulate my “value proposition”. In tendering the technical work, I interviewed 12 software houses before finally selecting the best.
I entered the wider business community in order to establish myself, my company and my brand – leaving the relative safety of the legal world. I had to approach government bodies and statutory agencies to persuade them of the potential market and convince them to invest in further research and development.
My priority was to design a platform that would suit all barristers, both publicly and privately funded, across all specialisms, whether in chambers with clerks or as sole practitioners – it wasn’t just for me anymore.
Challenges versus rewards
The challenges have all been worth it and there have been many during the months of design, build and testing of the product but I can now say that Briefed is used by all types of barristers throughout the Europe, Australia and South Africa. As milestones go, I would say when Apple approved the Briefed App for download from the iTunes store was a huge one for me – and when Briefed went on sale online we had our first customer within two hours. The most rewarding for me personally is when a barrister simply drops me an email with thanks for inventing the software – because it has changed their lives – that’s a pretty good feeling.
There is no doubt that the skills I have as a barrister have enabled me to take on these new challenges – learning difficult content in a short space of time to gain a high level of expertise. Asking questions and finding creative ways of solving problems, interacting with and managing all different types of personalities with an end goal in mind as a leader, presenting an argument to a room full of people who are disbelievers, and persuading them to see merit in the argument.
The traits and skills I have as a barrister have propelled me to be a successful tech CEO. However, I would hazard a guess that a tech CEO could never be a barrister...
Contributor Orlagh Kelly BL
Briefed www.briefedlawyer.co.uk
However, the reality of practice was that I spent 40% of my time running a small business. Administration, marketing, training, even credit control – all things I had to deal with as well as being the fee earner.
Instead of spending my time on the important legal drafting, it was taken up with the repetitive correspondence to solicitors about each and every case as well as recording completed work for fee notes, answering endless emails, keeping on top of expenses and CPD points. The list seemed endless and I was convinced there had to be an easier way. In May 2011, whilst sitting at my desk in the Bar Library, an idea started to form. There had to be a way I could manage my business more effectively which would allow me to do what I loved, practise law.
I wanted to use my down time during the working day better, such as waiting outside court or on the train, instead of having to work at night and at weekends. I wanted to deliver such a high quality service to solicitors and clients that I would be assured of new briefs. I wanted to feel in control of my practice, my accounts and paperwork so I could switch off at a reasonable hour, knowing everything was done. I wanted to spend less time working, but have a more profitable practice. I wanted a better work life balance. I needed a system.
At the outset, there seemed to be no obvious solution; however I knew it would involve technology. After much research, it became apparent that nothing existed to suit the unique way barristers work. So undeterred, I decided there was only one solution – I was going to develop this myself. With considerable uncertainty, I threw myself into the world of technology and software. Soon enough I found myself in my first meeting with software developers and at the start of the most exciting, challenging, anxiety-inducing rollercoaster ride I’ve experienced since my first six months at the Bar.
With the steepest learning curve imaginable, I now had to become an expert on technology, online security, data protection, as well as learning the language of business and how best to articulate my “value proposition”. In tendering the technical work, I interviewed 12 software houses before finally selecting the best.
I entered the wider business community in order to establish myself, my company and my brand – leaving the relative safety of the legal world. I had to approach government bodies and statutory agencies to persuade them of the potential market and convince them to invest in further research and development.
My priority was to design a platform that would suit all barristers, both publicly and privately funded, across all specialisms, whether in chambers with clerks or as sole practitioners – it wasn’t just for me anymore.
Challenges versus rewards
The challenges have all been worth it and there have been many during the months of design, build and testing of the product but I can now say that Briefed is used by all types of barristers throughout the Europe, Australia and South Africa. As milestones go, I would say when Apple approved the Briefed App for download from the iTunes store was a huge one for me – and when Briefed went on sale online we had our first customer within two hours. The most rewarding for me personally is when a barrister simply drops me an email with thanks for inventing the software – because it has changed their lives – that’s a pretty good feeling.
There is no doubt that the skills I have as a barrister have enabled me to take on these new challenges – learning difficult content in a short space of time to gain a high level of expertise. Asking questions and finding creative ways of solving problems, interacting with and managing all different types of personalities with an end goal in mind as a leader, presenting an argument to a room full of people who are disbelievers, and persuading them to see merit in the argument.
The traits and skills I have as a barrister have propelled me to be a successful tech CEO. However, I would hazard a guess that a tech CEO could never be a barrister...
Contributor Orlagh Kelly BL
Briefed www.briefedlawyer.co.uk
Orlagh Kelly outlines her journey from family law barrister to global technology entrepreneur
As a young student I dreamt of being in a courtroom, fighting for justice for my clients.
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Following the launch of the Life at the Young Bar report and a nationwide listening exercise, Michael Polak and Michael Harwood outline the Young Barristers Committees raft of initiatives designed to address your issues of concern