Freedom and flexibility attract top legal talent to DR Solicitors

Healthcare legal specialist DR Solicitors has announced significant growth in its consultant network, underlining the popularity of its consultancy-led model.

The firm has reported the average annual growth of consultants at more than 40 per cent year-on-year, with a jump of a quarter in the last two months, bringing the total number to 26.

According to the Atlas report by Codex Edge, just 17 per cent of individuals joining UK-based platform firms were hired from UK Top 100 law firms last year. DR Solicitors is bucking that trend and consistently attracting top talent from these prestigious City firms, now making up 85 per cent of its team. Other consultants have often held partner or department-head roles, bringing deep sector expertise and experience.

Founded in 2003 as one of the UK’s first consultancy-led legal practices, DR Solicitors guides healthcare professionals through legal and regulatory complexity. Its pioneering platform model provides all the projects and support consultants need to thrive, while removing administrative burdens, enabling them to focus on delivering high-quality work with the freedom and autonomy to work the way they want.

The firm’s growth has accelerated since its acquisition by business advisory platform Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) in November 2024. Bringing together additional scale and resources, the partnership combines two pioneering platform-based models, providing consultants at DR with enhanced opportunities while strengthening DSW’s multidisciplinary offer.

Daphne Roberston, Founder of DR Solicitors, said: “We have been consulting-led from day one. Our model is unique in that we don’t expect our consultants to generate any of their own leads, nor be responsible for billing, compliance or admin. With 85 per cent of our solicitors having previously worked at Magic, Silver Circle and top-tier law firms, we truly are home to the brightest and best legal minds in the country.

“The rapid growth in our consultant base reflects the enduring appeal of this model and the strength of our reputation in the healthcare legal sector. With the backing of DSW, we are well placed to continue this trajectory.”

Elizabeth Duan joined as a consultant in 2024 before being appointed as DR Solicitors’ Director of Legal Services. She commented: “Having spent over a decade practising in the City as a commercial real estate specialist, I initially joined DR Solicitors as a consultant solicitor. This unique model gave me the chance to deliver the work I enjoy without the distractions of traditional practice.

“Beyond the freedom and flexibility the DR model offers, what stood out was the supportive culture and focus on excellence, which ultimately inspired me to take on a leadership role as COO. It’s an approach that attracts exceptional lawyers because it truly works.”

DR Solicitors is a healthcare legal specialist.

We guide independent healthcare professionals through legal and regulatory complexity, with the brightest legal minds in the sector creating the conditions for more efficient and resilient service delivery.
With a sole industry focus we have built a firm that addresses the specific challenges facing independent healthcare professionals, allowing us to adeptly navigate the themes, trends, regulations and legislation affecting our clients in order to enable better outcomes.

Our pioneering legal platform attracts the brightest legal minds in our sector, and gives them the freedom and autonomy to work the way they want, while providing all the projects and support they need to thrive.

Part of Dow Schofield Watts, we are trusted by thousands of healthcare professionals across the UK.