After 30 years in legal practice and a career break, I have developed a role as a freelance business advisor and legal counsel, most recently at LHQ Software Ltd, a company specialising in 'matter management' and case-budgeting solutions for in-house counsel, barristers, and law firms. I now work for a number of SMEs as a consultant or non-exec, giving tactical business advice and guidance on strategy and governance, with an emphasis on the legal area.Business types include an 'eco' architectural practice; a foreign language school; a Japanese business directory publishing company active in running large-scale exhibitions for Japanese firms operating in the U.K.Recent work includes:- undertaking a workplace grievance investigation for a firm of estate agents; advising a charity, (of which I am a trustee), in the university sector; as compliance officer, advising a tennis club on data privacy and child protection; advising a senior employee with a disability on employment issues, including attending a disciplinary meeting and advising on the terms of a settlement agreement; pro bono for members of a minority ethnic community in relation to a dispute involving proprietary estoppel.