Building a Legal Practice: Jonathan Lea on Entrepreneurship, Growth, and Lessons from the Journey

In this episode, Tom Griffiths, Director of Synergy CFO Solutions, speaks with Jonathan Lea, about his journey from training at leading City law firms to building a successful regulated legal practice.

Jonathan shares candid insights into the challenges and rewards of establishing a modern law firm, from hiring and managing a growing team to balancing cash flow and developing strong client relationships.

The discussion explores:

• The firm’s core areas of expertise, including corporate and commercial law, shareholder agreements, dispute resolution, and advising technology startups through successive investment rounds.

• The common pitfalls business owners face, particularly around co-founder relationships and shareholder agreements, and how clear, well-drafted documents can help prevent disputes.

• The strategic and operational lessons learned from transitioning from consultant solicitor to business owner – including how to stay calm under pressure, manage growth sustainably, and leverage technology and AI in modern legal practice.

Whether you’re a startup founder, established business owner, or fellow legal professional, Jonathan’s story offers practical takeaways on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a resilient professional services firm.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube: Watch here