Mindfulness A Valuable Tool for Freelance Lawyers Mindfulness is increasingly recognised as a powerful technique for looking after our minds and bringing greater focus, calm and clarity. However, Mindfulness is more than a mere mind training technique – when practised...
One Small Step into Space, One Giant Leap Online A recent survey by LEGO made the news asking 3,000 children in the US, China and the UK about their attitudes to space to mark 50 years since mankind successful mission to land on the moon. Upon being asked ‘What do...
The science of sleep and performance: how can you find the optimal balance? My legal heros all have two things in common. Firstly, they are imaginary (Suits & Silk being particular favourites), and secondly, they don’t sleep much. On TV, the ah-ha moments...
When in my career should I freelance? By Ed Browne Quality for Both Clients and Lawyers The current popularity of freelancing in the legal field can be put down to a variety of reasons. Firstly, greater visibility and awareness. The traditional law firm is no longer...
I'm a lawyer not a hacker, why should I care about cyber security? By Christian Toon, Chief Information Security Officer for Pinsent Masons Why Cyber Security is your problem too Cyber security is important because smartphones, computers and the internet are now such...
Nicola always had a passion for illustration, but her professional career steered her towards law. Working as a Vario, she can now enjoy both. After finishing her studies at university, Nicola Allan progressed to a firm based in Edinburgh and later qualified to their...
After years studying life sciences, Paralegal Will Buswell is now seeking new challenges in the legal world. Academic Will had just started his PhD when he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in the legal field; seemingly a far cry from his current trajectory as...
Growing up, Michael actually dreamed of studying architecture and design, but it was his traditionally-minded father that persuaded him to become a lawyer. From the very start of his legal career, Michael knew he wanted to work within the field of construction or...
By Kwan Cheung Alibaba’s charismatic founder, Jack Ma has recently endorsed China’s typical work culture of 12-hour work days, 6 days a week, referred to as ‘996’ (9am-9pm, 6 days a week). His statement has been divisive, received with both praise and anger. While...
By James Skinner As there should be, there is now a great deal of noise within the work place about the mental welfare of employees. Back in May 2016, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch of the Lord Mayor's “This is me” campaign. As a long standing...
Junior Lawyer Lola decided to forego the traditional career in law and became a freelancer instead. She's now reaping the rewards. After the traditional route into law - studying at university, LPC and training contract at a large prestigious law firm - Lola relished...
Saving your Sanity When Working From Home By Kwan Cheung The advancement of technology has allowed us to work from the comfort (and nuisance) of our homes, which would have seemed impossible just a few decades before. But how do you stay sane when both working and...
Working as a Vario, Zoe Harris is able to pursue her passion for acting as well as a career as a lawyer. Originally from New Zealand, where she studied Law, Zoe graduated and originally qualified as a Property Lawyer. After gaining general commercial experience...
Everyday Productivity Mistakes You Are Making By Kwan Cheung Do you feel like you could have done more yesterday but not sure why you didn't? It could be because you're jeopardising yourself without even realising it. Read on to make sure you're not making any of...
Rachel originally qualified as a solicitor in corporate law, moving from a fee earning solicitor role at 5 PQE into a PSL position at McGrigors LLP in their corporate team as one of the firm's first PSL lawyers. After a number of years in that position, she then...
By Adam Kohl Is five percent a large proportion? Five percent, or one twentieth, of Mark Zuckerberg's wealth, I think we'd all be happy. A big sign offering five percent off the price of a coffee, I'd probably keep on walking. But today is an interesting moment;...
Flexible Working For Junior Lawyers Poised to Expand By Matthew Kay Lawyers in private practice have frequently been known to work upwards of 60-80 hours per week. Many have been driven by the goal of becoming a partner in a law firm with the pay and prestige that...
The Patchwork Lawyer By Adam Kohl You may or may not have heard the term patchwork lawyers yet, but what exactly is a patchwork lawyer and why would you choose to work as one? If you were to ask someone from thirty years ago what a patchwork career was, they would...
Goal Conversion: Happiness Through Long Term Goals By Kwan Cheung A big house in the countryside? Freedom to travel the world? A big family? We all have different ideas of 'happiness' and end goals for ourselves. However, we all need to ask ourselves are we are...
By Paul Garth I recently took a working holiday. Not one of those gap year trips you did as a 20-something-year-old but a proper adult working holiday. That is, I went on leave and work emails were checked and responded to regularly. My employer did not want me to....
Securing a training contract with a top law firm remains an elusive objective for many graduates as they seek to enter the legal profession and embark upon their careers. Contracts are notoriously competitive with the applicants easily out-numbering the spaces...
By Kwan Cheung For generations, stress has been assumed to be a necessary evil of work, and more 'traditionally successful' professions such as law, are presumed to bring with them extra stress as a norm. However, attitudes are changing towards stress across all...
Relatively new to Vario, Lisa Akinrele decided that the flexible life as a legal freelancer was the one for her, allowing her to chase her passions for travel, fashion and foreign languages. “I studied Law with German at Nottingham University before moving to London...
Having since joined Vario, Alan has managed to find more time to enjoy the things he values most. After studying Law at university, with wide-eyed ambitions of changing the world as an aspiring lawyer, Alan eventually found himself immersed into the world of legal...
Rose shares with us her philosophy on life and work, and how Vario has given her the independence and control she desires. “I fell into legal contracting by chance! I travelled for a year after law school, then did my training contract in London. I was offered a...
Rose shares with us her philosophy on life and work, and how Vario has given her the independence and control she desires. “I fell into legal contracting by chance! I travelled for a year after law school, then did my training contract in London. I was offered a...
After graduating with a degree in computer science, Doris began working in the IT sector. A colleague then suggested one day that she should consider pursuing a career within IP Law as she would be best placed for it with her existing technical knowledge. After...
Ruth is a senior property lawyer and has worked as a Vario for five years, primarily within Pinsent Masons' teams. She lives across Italy and the UK, and works almost exclusively from home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pCVluBKj4&t=40s
A natural-born multipotentialite with a true portfolio career, Meg continues to work in-house for leading international companies whilst completing a Psychotherapy degree, establishing a private therapy practice, and running a ‘mindful wine’ company,...
‘After 20+ years in the drinks industry I decided it was time to broaden my legal experience and work in other fields. Freelancing is a fantastic path to new industries as assignments are often relatively short term but still long enough to gain knowledge and...