January 28 2026
Case Studies
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Lauren Connolly’s path to becoming a solicitor and now Legal Counsel in Privacy & AI was anything but traditional. Her journey is a powerful story of resilience, strategic career navigation, and the transformative impact of finding a true specialism. After returning from nearly three years working in business administration and logistics in Australia and completing her postgraduate law conversion (PGDL), Lauren found the standard path to qualification “opaque” and overly competitive. She knew her goal was to “use her brain constantly,” but faced the daunting prospect of self-funding her studies while pursuing elusive training contracts.
The Power of a Clear Pathway: From Paralegal to Trainee
Lauren’s simple plan was to “get a foot in the door.” She joined Flex Legal, and within a matter of days, was placed on a paralegal assignment at Trustpilot. This temporary role quickly evolved. Impressed by her commercial acumen, Trustpilot was keen to retain her. It was at this pivotal moment that Flex Legal stepped in, converting her high-performing paralegal placement into an accredited training scheme via the SQE route.For Lauren, this structured pathway was a revelation. It provided a “clean-cut two-year period” with a clear finish line and, crucially, removed the financial barrier by funding the expensive SQE exams. This support allowed her to focus entirely on her development rather than the logistics of qualification, a testament to the social mobility that alternative qualification routes can foster.
Mastering the In-House Mindset and Finding a Niche
Supported by the Flex Legal Readiness Programme, Lauren didn't just learn the law; she learned how to be an in-house lawyer. Stakeholder relationship management became her biggest takeaway, a skill she considers the reason for her success: “Be everyone’s best friend. Stakeholder relationship building is key.”The scheme’s structure, which allowed her to rotate seats, was instrumental in her success. It was during her second seat in Privacy and AI that she found her future specialism. Lauren’s former supervisor, Ben Martin, noted that she was “an exceptional trainee and a massive credit to our team,” adding that she grew fast and brought “a fresh perspective to old problems.”
Qualified Success: A Rising Star in Privacy & AI
Two years later, Lauren successfully qualified as a solicitor and secured the role of Legal Counsel, Privacy and AI at Trustpilot. Her rapid progression from paralegal, through a funded traineeship, to a qualified in-house lawyer demonstrates the efficacy of the SQE route in identifying and developing top-tier legal talent. Flex Legal is incredibly proud of Lauren’s achievements and her journey from paralegal to a leading in-house counsel.Her success is a powerful illustration of how the SQE can produce lawyers who are deeply embedded in the businesses they serve. Matthew McIlwaine, Director of Privacy & AI at Trustpilot, affirmed that this model produced a lawyer who truly understands the business: “Lauren knows the product, understands commercial drivers, can forecast potential risks and tailors her legal advice accordingly. She is a true asset—everyone needs a Lauren!”
“Got to be true to yourself, and come to work to be your best self. Don’t apologise for being you.”
Sarita Patel, Legal Counsel at National Grid
Lauren's Advice for Aspiring Solicitors:
Lauren’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring legal professionals. Her advice is to:•Be a sponge: Take every opportunity and absorb as much as you possibly can.
•Don't be shy: Push for what you want, as supportive people will go above and beyond for you.
•Always ask “why”: Seek to understand the commercial and legal rationale behind every task to master the bigger picture, not just the 'how.'
•Resilience is key: Be prepared to work full days while studying, as it is challenging but ultimately rewarding.
Additional Resources:
- Hire now - want to take on some top quality interim legal professionals like Sarita? Check out our ‘hire’ page today to find the paralegals and lawyers you need to ease your team’s workload.
- How we've supported Emerald Publishing with interim lawyers - perhaps Sarita’s experiences have got you wondering what interim legal resourcing could do for your team? Take a look at this case study, where we break down how we supported Emerald Publishing with interim lawyers.
- Apply to be a Flex Paralegal - interested in what the world of interim paralegal work could look like for you? Well look no further! Click here to learn more and perhaps even apply.