Welcome to our blog. We're on a mission to change the legal industry for the better. Follow our blog for industry insights, career tips, human stories, and everything in-between. Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter too!

The Flex Legal Blog

All Flex Legal Blog Posts

index

Welcome to our blog. We're on a mission to make the legal industry more human and agile. Follow our blog for Flex Legal stories, industry news and views, and career tips. Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter too!

Flex Legal Blog

Sign up for our monthly legal industry newsletter

If you would like to be kept up to date with the latest legal and paralegal insights please join our newsletter.

Service Areas

Flexible options to meet your needs

Our partners

Articles from our blog

Daniele joined the Flex Legal platform in 2019 as our first ever interim lawyer. Since then he’s flourished on two long-term placements, and made such an incredible impact throughout, fitting into each team incredibly well. Well done Daniele!

We had a quick chat with Daniele to hear all about his experience of using Flex, his thoughts on being an interim lawyer, and what advice he’d give to any aspiring solicitors.

## **Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?**

I am an Italian citizen, a qualified lawyer in three jurisdictions and I started my career in London as a paralegal in a US law firm in 2008. During these years, I have been working for several law firms as an eDiscovery lawyer, a contract associate, and legal counsel.

## **Why did you choose to transition into interim legal work?**

Working as an interim lawyer gave me great opportunities to work for some of the most reputable law firms in London and in Switzerland. It also gave me the opportunity to learn within a diverse legal environment and the chance to work in different areas of law, such as dispute resolution and financial crimes. Working as a contractor also gave me more flexibility to keep up my hobbies, travels, sports and running.

## **Where have you been placed and how have you found it?**

I have been placed mostly in magic law firms, but also silver law firms (which I enjoyed very much), banks, consultancy firms and energy firms. I found my placements mostly challenging and rewarding. 

## **Could you tell us a bit more about your experience of working through Flex Legal?**

Working with Flex Legal was a hugely rewarding experience for me. They offered me one of the longest job opportunities of my entire career. The initial job started from a large language eDiscovery exercise and then developed into a more complex job that involved providing court legal notes  and advanced legal help to barristers.

At the end of my two year project, Flex assisted me in finding another great chance to work for a small, but dynamic, friendly, and highly professional law firm on a complex eDiscovery project that eventually resulted in me being hired by this law firm.

I found Ben and his colleagues at Flex Legal highly professional, constantly available, and supportive with my requests. They were incredibly accommodating and quick in their responses.

## **What advice would you give to any aspiring solicitors currently working as paralegals through Flex Legal?**

Work hard on your tasks. Flex provides high-quality opportunities and you can be rewarded greatly, including the chance to transform your interim role into a permanent one. Flex has different types of clients, so it gives you a unique chance to emerge and fulfill your professional goals. 

## Feedback from Rachel Waghorn, Practice Manager at Leverets:

Daniele was introduced to us by Flex in February this year when we were needing a document review lawyer for a long running and complex case. It was the first time that we had taken on agency staff but needn’t have worried. Daniele has taken on every challenge that we have given him, showing competence, initiative, and leadership. So much so that within a short space of time Daniele has become a Team Lead and has made himself rather indispensable. 

Flex made the process of finding Daniele, and other lawyers, very easy to navigate. So many quality people to choose from.

**Additional Resources:**

* [Hire a Flex Legal paralegal](/why) - Interested in hiring a talented interim legal professional like Daniele for your own team? Take a look to see how we can help you today!
* [Apply to be a Flex Paralegal](/apply/why-join) - If you want to open yourself up to a world of exciting interim legal work opportunities, head here to find out what we can do for you.
* [How interim legal work improves Rebecca’s work/life balance](/blog/how-interim-legal-work-improves-rebeccas-work-life-balance) - Rebecca has been working as an interim lawyer through Flex Legal since January. Take a read to see how interim working has drastically improved her work/life balance.

Daniele - Flex Interim Lawyer

HIRE A FLEX LAWYER

A Q&A with Flex Legal's longest-standing interim lawyer

Rebecca has been working as an interim lawyer through Flex Legal since January 2022. During that time she’s excelled on a placement at Valeo Snackfoods, and has settled into the team incredibly well. We had a quick chat with Rebecca to discuss how interim working has drastically improved her work/life balance, and to see what advice she’d give to any aspiring legal professionals.

## **Hi Rebecca!** Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I’m an in-house lawyer with a background in litigation at a London City firm. I practised litigation for over 10 years and have been advising on a wide variety of in-house issues for the past 3 years.

## Why did you choose to transition into interim lawyer work?

I made the move into interim contracts when we left London for the Cotswolds 3 years ago. I wanted more flexibility with location and hours, and I had been thinking about making the move to in-house for some time, so it seemed like the right time to try something different. I can honestly say I’ve never looked back and I love the variety of work I’ve been doing, and the flexibility from interim work really is ideal for our busy lifestyle with 3 young children living outside of London.

## Where are you currently placed and how are you finding it?

My current role is as Legal Counsel with Valeo Snackfoods, who manufacture and sell many well-known brands such as Kettle Chips, Metcalfs Popcorn, Barretts sweets, Wham, Flumps, Fox’s and many more. I have been advising on a wide variety of in-house matters in this role, including managing the trademark portfolio, contract reviews, and litigation matters. I have been thoroughly enjoying the role working in such a friendly, welcoming team and wider company, and the variety of work is interesting as well as challenging, allowing me to develop new skills.

## Could you tell us a bit more about your experience of working through Flex Legal?

My experience of working with Flex Legal has been nothing but positive, from the day I contacted them to ask about opportunities. I was given a very personal service and they very quickly matched me with the perfect fit of contract.

## What advice would you give to aspiring solicitors currently working as paralegals through Flex Legal?

This is such a great way to practice your legal skills, and once you’ve qualified, there is a world of opportunity open to you.

**Additional Resources:**

* [Hire now](https://flex.legal/hire/) - want to take on some top quality interim legal professionals like Rebecca? 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](/blog/how-weve-supported-emerald-publishing-with-interim-lawyers) - perhaps Rebecca’s experiences have got you wondering about 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](/apply/paralegals) - interested in what the world of interim legal work could look like for you? Well look no further! Click here to learn more and perhaps even apply.

Hire a flex lawyer

Rebecca Haughton - interim lawyer at Flex

How interim legal work improves Rebecca's work/life balance

The Midlands In-house Forum will bring together an array of teams from across the thriving Midlands In-house legal community, from paralegals to general counsel.

For our very first session, we'll look at **'Building the legal team of the future'**, hosted by [Sophie Gould](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-gould-95832316/), Head of Learning and Development at [Flex Legal](https://flex.legal/), and [Ian Leedham](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileedham/), European Legal Director at LKQ Europe.

We'll be joined by some fantastic guest speakers to deliver their insights on how to secure the best legal talent for your business, from how an in-house legal department can support an apprentice and the potential benefits it offers, to an introduction to Flex Legal's brand new in-house SQE training scheme to support social mobility in the legal profession.

Dan Kayne, as Founder of the O Shaped Lawyer, will also talk through their innovative programme which aims to promote a cultural change in the legal industry, placing people and human behaviours at the heart of a more modern, progressive legal profession.

**Chaired by Mary Bonsor, CEO of Flex Legal, we'll be hosting a panel with:**

* [Dan Kayne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kayne-b784b435/), GC at Network Rail and Founder of the O Shaped Lawyer
* [Paul Frith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-frith-university-of-law/), Executive Manager at The University of Law
* Ceri Evans, Director of Apprenticeships at The University of Law
* [Teagan Williams](https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-williams-3064b5192/), Apprentice Solicitor at Severn Trent Water (completing the SQE1/2)

<div id="eventbrite-widget-container-289750350097"></div>

<script src="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/static/widgets/eb_widgets.js"></script>

<script type="text/javascript">
    var exampleCallback = function() {
        console.log('Order complete!');
    };

    window.EBWidgets.createWidget({
        // Required
        widgetType: 'checkout',
        eventId: '289750350097',
        iframeContainerId: 'eventbrite-widget-container-289750350097',

        // Optional
        iframeContainerHeight: 425,  // Widget height in pixels. Defaults to a minimum of 425px if not provided
        onOrderComplete: exampleCallback  // Method called when an order has successfully completed
    });
</script>

Midlands In-house Event Blog Banner

Hire interim lawyers & paralegals

Midlands In-house Event: Building the legal team of the future

<p>A few weeks ago, we were delighted to welcome <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehsan-haque-3043a725/">Ehsan Haque</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielwmorgan/">Daniel Morgan</a> as guest speakers at our Virtual GC Session in collaboration with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/lexisnexis/">LexisNexis</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/radius-law/">Radius Law</a>. Ehsan is the Global Head of Legal and Compliance at Hamilton Capital, and Daniel is Managing Partner at Haines Watts. The topic for the call surrounded the second wave of COVID-19 and its potential impacts on businesses. Some excellent insights were shared by the speakers, which I have summarised below.</p><p><strong>Business Risks and Trends</strong></p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p><strong>Disputes</strong></p><p>A similar trend of concerns is being predicted for businesses facing a second lockdown as we saw with the first. These centre mainly around reviewing contractual obligations, force majeure clauses and dispute resolution options. With so many businesses going through their agreements with a fine-tooth comb, a rise in third party litigation funding is also being anticipated. Having worked through 2008 for comparison, Ehsan highlighted the magnitude of disruption the pandemic is causing: “Global supply chains have completely disappeared. People are looking at their situations and thinking, ordinarily I would honour the contract, but this isn’t feasible in my current situation.”</p></li><li><p><strong>Disconnection</strong></p><p>Culturally, Ehsan says Hamilton Capital is lucky because its teams are going into the office five days a week. This allows for high levels of interaction and collaboration, and for any new starters to become integrated quickly. However, with a second lockdown looming, this team dynamic looks soon to revert back to remote working. With this comes issues that many workers are now fully aware of: missing out on informal catch-ups with colleagues, difficulty compart-mentalising work time and personal time, and mental well-being. For tips on how to manage these issues as a manager, click <a href="https://blog.flex.legal/post/2020/6/15/check-your-distance-how-to-effectively-manage-remote-teams"><span style="text-decoration:underline">here</span></a>.</p></li></ul><p><strong>A Financial Perspective</strong></p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p><strong>Taking control</strong></p><p>Daniel has worked closely with clients to forecast and strategise for various outcomes and pressures resulting from the pandemic. At the beginning of lockdown, this took the form of motivating clients and convincing them that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Moving forward, Daniel then worked with clients to produce tiered cash-flow forecasts: good, reasonable and worst case. With lockdown lifting in the summer, this led to some companies relaxing and taking a more positive outlook on their situations. However, Daniel suggests this is pivoting rapidly as new measures are announced by the government, and clients are looking to manage their risks more closely: “Building a cash reserve is really key. The concern is if there isn’t government support again, there could be a struggle for businesses getting that cash in from clients and customers.”</p></li><li><p><strong>Better prepared</strong></p><p>On a more positive note, the rapid adaptation of businesses to the first lockdown cannot be overlooked. In the hospitality sector, pubs and restaurants quickly implemented takeaway services. Retailers switched to online sales, and remote working was accepted as the new normal without too many issues. As Daniel states: “During the first lockdown, companies were very resilient in coming up with new revenue streams. A lot of businesses will be far better prepared for the second spike and will have processes in place to mitigate the impact as much as possible.”</p></li></ul><p>A huge thank you also to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainlarkins/">Iain Larkins</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandramartins1/">Sandra Martins</a> for sharing updates on commercial and employment issues, respectively.</p>

<div>
	<a href="https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/in-house-legal/aspire" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" >Sign up to our next GC event here!</a>
</div>

What Can Businesses Expect From A Second Wave?

<p>In the recent GC Virtual Session in collaboration with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/lexisnexis/">LexisNexis UK</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/radius-law/">Radius Law</a>, we were pleased to welcome <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-van-eeden/">Louisa van Eeden</a>, Head of Legal Marketing at LexisNexis, who shared some brilliant insights from their recent deep-dive survey into how in-house legal teams contribute value to their companies.</p><h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Overview of the research</strong></h1><p>The legal industry has been shifting significantly in recent years, and often the role of in-house legal teams has been at the heart of this change. GCs have been discussing how to add value as a legal function for a number of years, however the ability to articulate this idea in practical terms is difficult. In order to understand and examine the concept of ‘value’ and ‘value-adding behaviours’ of in-house lawyers, as well how these are implemented in practice, LexisNexis carried out both a quantitative survey and multiple in-depth interviews with senior GCs. This research was conducted at the end of 2019, with more than 340 in-house counsel across a range of sectors and organisations participating.</p><h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>How do legal teams think they add value to their business?</strong></h1><p>The first part of the survey investigated how legal teams believed they could best contribute value to their business. Strategic alignment, collaboration and saving external costs all have clear roles to play, with effective risk management consistently at the heart of how legal teams contribute to their business. However, it is the approach to risk management that has changed. In addition to the reduction of legal risk and the protection of brand reputation, the critical way that in-house teams deliver value to organisations is the role they play in protecting and promoting ethical principles, and acting as the ‘gatekeeper’ of the business.</p>








  

    
  
    <div>

      

      
        <figure
            class="
              sqs-block-image-figure
              intrinsic
            "
            style="max-width:1123.0px;"
        >
          
        
        

        
          
            
          <div>
            <img src="//a.storyblok.com/f/91079/1000x611/10b61c4b58/content-image-how-in-house-legal-teams-contribute-value-to-businesses-0.png" />
          </div>
        
          
        

        
          
          <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper">
            <div><p>From a poll of 340+ GCs carried out by LexisNexis UK</p></div>
          </figcaption>
        
      
        </figure>
      

    </div>
  


  


<p>Improved collaboration across the business&nbsp; and direct contribution to organisational strategy, were also seen as equally important as effective risk management. This is reflective of the in-house role becoming more influential and gaining increased visibility within the organisation. Out of the 340 people that were interviewed, 35% held a seat on the board and 51% of them reported directly to the board. This means that only 14% didn't have direct access to the board. Interestingly, cost reduction, innovation and increased productivity were the least cited driving behaviours, although were still significant.&nbsp;</p><p>A further trend centred on legal team size. Those in smaller teams tended to rate collaboration and risk reduction higher than those in larger teams, who considered cost reduction to be the key way to deliver value. Throughout the research it is also important to understand the practical ways that value can be demonstrated. Therefore, throughout the research, information was gathered on how these value drivers were brought to life. The overall theme concerned the leveraging of the ‘helicopter view’ that legal teams have of the business to its full benefits. This is key to avoiding the perception that legal teams are separate entities who must demonstrate their value to justify their position, and instead allows the value offered by legal teams to be recognised and attributed back to its source.</p><p>Nevertheless, thinking about demonstrating value is not the same as articulating that value in a way that resonates with the business. Understanding the quantification process, and the use of metrics and technology in legal teams to make value tangible, is therefore crucial.</p><h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Using technology to demonstrate value</strong></h1><p>Many teams are successfully using metrics to demonstrate value.&nbsp;</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p><strong>Activity-based metrics:</strong> 95% keep track of matters, 93% track number of matters closed.</p></li><li><p><strong>Productivity and efficiency metrics:</strong> 88% use cycle time, 79% use process design (the hours or resources saved from implementing a new process or tech).</p></li><li><p><strong>Financial metrics: </strong>Although reducing costs is considered an ‘easy win’, financial metrics were used comparatively less than others; external counsel spend was one of the least used metrics with only 68% currently using it. Only 20% of teams intend to use a charge-back or utilisation model in the next three years.</p></li></ul>








  

    
  
    <div>

      

      
        <figure
            class="
              sqs-block-image-figure
              intrinsic
            "
            style="max-width:1117.0px;"
        >
          
        
        

        
          
            
          <div>
            <img src="//a.storyblok.com/f/91079/1000x620/ded0bdda7e/content-image-how-in-house-legal-teams-contribute-value-to-businesses-1.png" />
          </div>
        
          
        

        
          
          <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper">
            <div><p><strong>Tools used by legal teams from a technology perspective when looking at specifically demonstrating performance</strong></p></div>
          </figcaption>
        
      
        </figure>
      

    </div>
  


  


<p>Interestingly,  a similar question was asked to junior lawyers and paralegals on our Virtual Lunch recently, which yielded slightly different results</p>








  

    
  
    <div>

      

      
        <figure
            class="
              sqs-block-image-figure
              intrinsic
            "
            style="max-width:676.0px;"
        >
          
        
        

        
          
            
          <div>
            <img src="//a.storyblok.com/f/91079/676x755/3d7fadce85/content-image-how-in-house-legal-teams-contribute-value-to-businesses-2.png" />
          </div>
        
          
        

        
          
          <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper">
            <div><p><strong>Results from a poll of junior lawyers and paralegals during a recent Virtual Lunch hosted by F-LEX</strong></p></div>
          </figcaption>
        
      
        </figure>
      

    </div>
  


  


<h1 style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Barriers facing in-house teams and their adoption of legal technology</strong></h1><p>Finally, the research considered how legal technology can be used to demonstrate value.&nbsp; When it comes to legal operations, 73% of in-house counsel also had formal responsibility for legal operations. Two main challenges facing legal teams also became apparent, with 75% in agreement: lack of visibility on what work their team is carrying out, and a disproportionate amount of time spent coordinating their team. It therefore made sense that online productivity suites such as cloud storage and workflow tools were among the top systems adopted. It was also apparent that some tools are of particular use to the legal departments, such as due diligence, compliance monitoring and research and guidance technology. IT management and protection solutions were also considered to offer a high degree of value.</p><p>Regarding the barriers inhibiting the adoption of new technologies, 90% of respondents in rolling out changes. 66% said they lacked the time or technological understanding to explore available solutions, and a significant number found it difficult to demonstrate an adequate return on such investments.</p>

A Q&A with Flex Legal's longest-standing interim lawyer

What Can Businesses Expect From A Second Wave?

How interim legal work improves Rebecca's work/life balance

How In-House Legal Teams Contribute Value to Businesses

Midlands In-house Event: Building the legal team of the future