Building RFLS: The Story Behind the Practice, the Profession, and the Leap Into Self‑Employment
- vickki88
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
When I created Ridgway Fahey Legal Services (RFLS), it wasn’t simply a career move. It was the natural next step in a journey shaped by years of hands‑on litigation experience, professional growth, and a desire to work in a way that genuinely aligns with my values. RFLS reflects everything I’ve learned as a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator, a consultant, and a professional committed to clarity, integrity and client‑centred support.
But RFLS is also something very specific:
A consultancy service, not a regulated law firm.
I work with legal practices, not in competition with them, providing specialist litigation support, client care, and strategic input where they need it most.
This is the story behind that journey.
A profession built on experience: the Chartered Legal Executive route
Becoming a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator is a path defined by determination, discipline and real‑world experience. Unlike the traditional solicitor route, CILEX lawyers build their careers from the ground up. Studying while working, learning the realities of client care early, and developing a practical understanding of how disputes unfold long before qualification.
That route shaped my entire approach to practice.
It taught me how to:
Communicate clearly with clients who are overwhelmed or anxious.
Balance legal strategy with real‑life consequences.
Manage cases with precision, empathy and commercial awareness.
Navigate litigation with confidence while still seeking pragmatic solutions.
By the time I qualified, I had already spent years drafting, negotiating, advising and advocating. That depth of experience became the foundation of RFLS.
Why RFLS? A consultancy built with purpose
RFLS was created from a simple belief: Legal services can be delivered with clarity, compassion and genuine practicality, without unnecessary complexity or formality.
But RFLS is not a regulated law firm. It is a legal consultancy, offering litigation support, dispute resolution expertise and client‑focused guidance to:
Law firms
Legal departments
Professional advisers
Individuals through regulated law firms
This structure allows me to work flexibly, collaboratively and transparently.
The leap into self‑employment: choosing autonomy and authenticity
Stepping away from traditional employment to become self‑employed was not a decision I took lightly. It required courage, planning and a willingness to trust my own professional instincts.
But it also offered something invaluable:
Autonomy over how I work and who I work with.
Flexibility to support firms and clients in a way that feels personal and responsive.
Authenticity in how I communicate, advise and build relationships.
Space to create a service that reflects my standards, ethics and voice.
Self‑employment allowed me to design a consultancy that prioritises quality over volume, clarity over jargon, and people over process.
What this journey means for clients and firms
RFLS is the product of years spent understanding what clients and legal teams truly need when dealing with disputes, injuries or complex legal issues.
Working as a consultant means:
Firms gain experienced litigation support without the overhead of permanent staff
Clients receive clear, honest guidance from someone who genuinely cares
Communication is direct, transparent and human
The service is flexible, modern and tailored to real‑world pressures
Looking ahead
RFLS continues to grow, evolve and adapt but its purpose remains the same: to provide high‑quality, client‑centred litigation and dispute resolution support with clarity, empathy and integrity.
Being a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator is a core part of that identity. Working as a consultant is another. Together, they form a practice built on expertise, authenticity and a genuine desire to help people navigate difficult situations with confidence.
And this is only the beginning.
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