It has been over 20 years since I started my legal career. Just writing that, I had to take a step back, has it been that long already? For the vast majority of that time, I have been with big offshore law firms. These are institutions with hundreds of staff, global footprints, and layers of management.
As I discussed in my last post, Offshore to Hong Kong Law – GPS, this week I pivoted to something totally new.
I have just completed my first week at GPS Legal LLP, and the contrast couldn’t be more different. Apart from practicing a totally different law, I was moving from “big” to "boutique".
The “Plug and Play” Experience
With my previous firms, onboarding was a bureaucratic marathon. There were HR inductions, IT protocols, compliance videos, and a week of admin before you could do any real work.
At GPS, the experience was nimble: a friendly welcome, quick induction (most important point - how to work the coffee machine), simple IT setup and off I went.
There is no massive infrastructure here, but all the most important resources are there. You are expected to “muck in” and manage yourself. For a senior lawyer, this removal of friction is refreshing, though it comes with the realisation that there is no one else to blame if things don’t get done.
You don’t get your own office or your own secretary. It’s about keeping things simple and efficient. Hot desking and shared resources. But in-house lawyers and other professionals have been doing this for years. Also I can’t complain about the view.
The Mental Adjustment: Shaking off the Rust
I will be honest—after a year out of formal work, the biggest hurdle this week wasn’t the actual work; it was the logistics of life.
Re-learning the rhythm of a commute and the concept of “going to the office” took some time to adjust. We often underestimate the stamina required just to be present in a corporate environment. The first week was about baby steps: learning the document management system, getting to know my new colleagues and dealing with some paperwork.
However, there is a distinct energy in being “back in the game.”
The Business Model: Autonomy vs. Security
The most significant shift in moving to a boutique firm like GPS is the change in business model. This is key to my broader Portfolio Career strategy for 2026.
In traditional law firms, you are often chasing arbitrary KPIs set by management. You are part of a machine. Here, the model is pure meritocracy.
- No Safety Net: There are no guaranteed salaries for sitting at a desk.
- Reward: You are rewarded directly for the value you bring in.
- True Independence: I am left to my own devices to build my practice.
This shifts the mindset from “hitting hours” to “creating value.” It forces you to think like an entrepreneur rather than an employee.
Why This Matters for Clients
Why does this shift matter to the market?
There will always be a need for the traditional law firms for massive cross-border M&A and finance deals, where armies of lawyers are needed. But for many smaller transactions and specific advisory roles, clients are tired of paying for an equity partner’s second home.
Boutique firms offer:
- Direct Partner Access: You get the senior lawyer, not a junior associate.
- Agility: We can move faster without conflicts checks taking three days.
- Value: Lower overheads mean more sensible fee structures.
The Road Ahead
I spent this week settling in, getting to know the team and reconnecting with my network. I am already working on closing my first deal, which proves that the market is receptive to this model. The GPS team is extremely friendly and everyone has been very helpful.
Now the real work begins. The onboarding is done. The coffee has been drunk. It is time to execute the business plan and build this portfolio career properly.
Consistency starts now.