In this episode of the Self-Employed Lawyers League Podcast, we sit down with Dicky Abraham, founder of Spurling Legal and our very first member of the League.
Dicky’s journey into law was anything but traditional.
From engineering, to warehouse shifts, to finally discovering a passion for law—he’s now pioneering a new approach to commercial litigation that challenges the outdated billable-hour model.
We cover:
How Dicky went from engineering dropout to successful commercial litigator
The mentors and lessons that shaped his career
Why he left the traditional firm model to launch Spurling Legal
How he’s using AI and tech to deliver affordable, transparent litigation services
Why Spurling Legal doesn’t track billable hours (and what that means for clients)
How the Self-Employed Lawyers League is helping him build community while going solo
If you’re a self-employed lawyer—or thinking of becoming one—this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible in your own practice.
Key Moments:
00:00 – Intro: Why Dicky is our #1 client
02:00 – From failing engineering to finding law
07:30 – First office job and learning professional soft skills
10:20 – Moving states, marriage, and building a career in Melbourne
13:00 – Why he chose to back himself instead of waiting for partnership
15:00 – The story behind the name Spurling Legal
17:00 – Rethinking legal fees: from billable hours to a value-based hybrid
19:30 – How AI helps scope proposals & bring certainty to clients
25:00 – Why Spurling Legal gives SMEs more negotiating power
30:00 – Why the Self-Employed Lawyers League made joining a no-brainer
Connect with Dicky:
Spurling Legal Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Lofty: