“You’ve just gotta back yourself at some point and keep going.”
Chelsea runs Baker Hastings Lawyers on her own. Every client, every file, every deadline is hers. In 2026 she was named a finalist for Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Sole Practitioner) at the QLS Excellence in Law Awards.
Her world
Chelsea is honest about what running the whole firm takes, which is exactly why her story lands with lawyers weighing up the same move. The work is hers alone, and it gets done, and done well.
“I’ve probably had 17 meltdowns, I’ll be honest. It’s been rewarding, but there’ve been really stressful weeks, it’s that imposter syndrome. You’ve just gotta back yourself at some point and keep going.”
Chelsea Baker, Principal Lawyer, Baker Hastings Lawyers, Brisbane
Backing yourself is easier with the right operation behind you. Chelsea built hers so that the only person doing the legal work is also the only person who has to do the legal work.
Focus on your work
Running a firm of one means the admin has nowhere to hide. Chelsea hands it to a team instead.
“Clarence has absolutely eased the burden for the admin, a whole team I can allocate tasks to: overflow calls, filing court documents, checking in with clients.”
Chelsea Baker, Principal Lawyer, Baker Hastings Lawyers, Brisbane
Geography does the rest of the work. The courts are across the road, so a filing run folds into the rest of her city day.
“It’s across the road from the courts. I can pop over and file, or give it to reception and they’ll file it for me, handy being the only person in my firm.”
Chelsea Baker, Principal Lawyer, Baker Hastings Lawyers, Brisbane
Support your clients
Chelsea’s clients see an established city firm, because that is what she runs.
“I use the virtual address as my office address for service of applications and court documents. New to running a firm, I didn’t want my home address on those things.”
Chelsea Baker, Principal Lawyer, Baker Hastings Lawyers, Brisbane
When clients arrive, reception greets them and looks after them while she gets everything ready. She says clients love the location.
Practise at your best
A firm of one still needs other lawyers. Chelsea works in a building full of them.
“A central hub of like-minded practitioners and an internal referral network across practice areas, really useful for the new wave of small and sole firms.”
Chelsea Baker, Principal Lawyer, Baker Hastings Lawyers, Brisbane
The network works in small ways too. She noticed a member doing notarisations and went up to ask, “are you a notary public?”. One more person on the list she can call on.
Backing yourself, with people behind you
This is what the leap built. A firm with her name on it, a practice recognised by her profession, and her advice for anyone standing where she stood.
“When you’re starting out it’s daunting, it’s really the human element. Align yourself with your network, the people who want to see you win, and back yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Chelsea’s firm is her own.
The infrastructure behind it is Clarence. The only workspace in Australia created by lawyers, for lawyers.