In the recent episode of Counsel Culture by Byfield, host Linzi Goldthorpe speaks with Kindleworth Partner Michael Estill and Director Sam Nicholls about what it really takes to leave BigLaw and build a successful specialist law firm.
The episode explores why equity partners are choosing the independent path looking at culture, client alignment, specialism, and the opportunity to design a firm that truly reflects the founder’s vision.
“All of the partners we work with are quite different,” they note. While ambition and vision unite them, each founder brings a unique combination of personality, client base, and priorities.
Kindleworth tailors its support accordingly – embedding fractional leadership across finance, HR, compliance, and operations – so founders can focus on the work they love while their firm runs efficiently from the start.
The discussion goes beyond logistics, looking at culture, client alignment, and the opportunity to design a firm that truly reflects the founder’s vision. Mike and Sam highlight how the right operational structure, paired with access to capital and technology, allows lawyers to focus on strategy, client relationships, and sustainable growth – rather than wrestling with bureaucracy or legacy systems.
They also share why now is the perfect time for founding teams to spin out their practice and launch their own firm – with careful preparation and support from experts like Kindleworth, a bold idea can become a specialist firm that reflects not just the work they do, but the way they want to do it.
Listen now on the following platforms:
