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 to complete my LPC. I completed my training contract at Wedlake Bell LLP, which included a six month secondment at Diageo, and qualified into the Intellectual Property and Commercial Team in September 2012. After two years as a qualified solicitor at Wedlake Bell I moved to my first in-house role at Pentland Brands. I was at Pentland for 3 years before I took the leap to become a freelancer.
I found the concept of freelance legal services attractive; it’s a forward thinking way of providing services in an industry that isn’t always known for being forward thinking! It suits the way that businesses work today and the challenges that they face. On a personal level, I was drawn to the variety of work that freelancing involves – I enjoy a challenge and freelancing presents you with an invaluable opportunity to learn new skills in different industries. The flexibility was also another big draw. I wanted to travel more and spend more time on my different skills and passions outside of law – I’m re-learning German and am planning to take a course in fashion writing – which I believed that freelancing offered the freedom to do.
I’m a new Vario, having started my first placement only six weeks ago, however everything so far has been great! The application process was swift yet thorough and everyone I spoke to and met along the way was approachable and open. The switch from permanent roles to freelancing is a big one – especially in law where it’s not so common – so the support I have received from Vario is invaluable.
Even at under two months into my first assignment I’ve been able to start re-learning German in my spare time, and I plan to take a fashion writing course in the summer. I work full time at my current assignment but the hours can be flexible and I have the option to work some days at home. I’ve also found the freelancing can free up some headspace – it removes some of the stresses that can come with permanent roles – which has the benefit of allowing you to invest this headspace in other passions.
I also took some time out before I started my first assignment and travelled to Japan which was incredible! I’ve also negotiated a two week break before the extension of my assignment takes effect, during which I plan to travel with my husband and take part in a yoga retreat, which I’ve been wanting to do for years.”
Lisa’s advice for others planning to become a Vario? “Go for it! It is a big leap, and it does require a change in mindset, so you need to be sure that freelancing is what you want. But if it is, then from my experience so far the leap is 100% worth it.”
If you’d like to discover your work life balance without sacrificing your legal career development, get in touch with the Vario team and start your journey today.
READ ANOTHER OF OUR STORIES
Ellie Wood
A New Avenue for a Qualified Junior Lawyer.
Entering the world of legal work during a global pandemic. Joining Vario’s legal bench helped this junior lawyer gain precious legal experience.
Ellie Wood
Colin Sloan
Sourcing rich legal work through Vario
Experienced Lawyer Colin has been able to find exciting short-term legal projects through Vario, allowing him to enjoy a much more flexible lifestyle.
Colin Sloan
Andrew McLean
Vario within the Financial Services sector
Andrew has been a Vario for almost three years and has spent much of that time on assignment with a major bank. Quite a change from his previous life as in-house counsel for a whiskey manufacturer!
Andrew McLean
Elaine Quinn
Vario and founder of The Conscious Lawyer
Elaine joined Vario in 2013 and has experience of both in-house and Pinsent Masons’ internal assignments. Alongside her three-day week as a lawyer, she has launched theconsciouslawyer.co.uk, a publication exploring a more mindful approach to law.
Elaine Quinn
Kate Halliwell
Vario within Banking and Finance
Having been a Vario for four years, Kate enjoys the flexibility that comes with being a freelance lawyer. In her current full-time role, she works from home one day a week, allowing her to stay involved in family life and achieve the balance that matters to her.
Kate Halliwell
Doris Woo
Vario specialising in IP law
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.
Doris Woo
Meg Berlin
Vario and founder of Dancing Vine
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, www.dancingvine.co.uk.
Meg Berlin
Rose Johnstone
Belfast-based Vario
Based in Belfast, Rose joined the Vario community early on in her career, and has already worked on a variety of assignments. Rose shares with us her philosophy on life and work, and how Vario has given her the independence and control she desires.
Rose Johnstone
Ross McAlister
Paralegal Vario
Ross is a paralegal based in Edinburgh who signed up to Vario to gain further exposure and experience in law ahead of commencing his training contract.
Ross McAlister
Samantha Byrne
Paralegal Vario
Samantha is a paralegal soon to start her training contract. She joined Vario to gain a greater understanding of work and the legal industry while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
Samantha Byrne
Alan Blinder
Family, friends, fitness, food and fun.
Freelancing as a Vario allows Alan to have more time for what he values most in life.
Alan Blinder
Lisa Akinrele
Passions for travel, fashion and foreign languages.
Becoming a freelancing Vario allows Lisa to dedicate time to following her passions but also work on high-quality assignments.
Lisa Akinrele
Jaimie Hunter
Training for a Traineeship.
Ahead of commencing her training contract, Jaimie is gaining experience and skills as a Vario.
Jaimie Hunter
Zoe Harris
A Class Act.
Working as a Vario, Zoe is able to pursue her passion for acting as well as a career as a lawyer.
Zoe Harris
Lola Dawson
Smelling the Sweet Roses of Life.
Junior Lawyer Lola decided to forego the traditional career in law and became a freelancer instead. She’s now reaping the rewards.
Lola Dawson
Rachel Wood
From practising solicitor to project management. Rachel found a permanent position through Vario.
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.
Rachel Wood
Michael Thomas
Growing up, Michael actually dreamed of studying architecture and design, but it was his traditionally-minded father that persuaded him to become a lawyer.
After working 8 years at a firm, Michael decided it was time to make a new start and launch his own firm in October 2017, he then discovered Vario.
Michael Thomas
Will Buswell
From Lab to Law
After years studying life sciences, Paralegal Will Buswell is now seeking new challenges in the legal world.
Will Buswell
Nicola Allan
Nicola always had a passion for illustration, but her professional career steered her towards law. Working as a Vario, she can now enjoy both
Nicola enjoys seeing more of the world and her lifestyle needs a flexible career to support it. Working as a freelance lawyer through Vario allows her to do just that.
Nicola Allan
Jenny Wilson
Employment Law to Musical Score.
From employment law to jazz; to Canada and back; to part-time working; to psychotherapy and coaching; Jenny Wilson is bringing as much colour as possible to her life as a Vario.
Jenny Wilson
Emma Sinclair
Seeking balance within a career path.
Significant travel, tight deadlines, demanding clients and a continually changing industry was keeping Emma away from quality time with her children. Joining Vario allowed her to
Emma Sinclair
Jacinta Bayard
From Merino Life to Marine Life.
After a successful career working in a combination of in-house and private practice roles in the city, Jacinta moved to the coast for a more relaxed pace of life but finds work which suits her through Vario.
Jacinta Bayard
Ian Barrie
Vario living in Italy and the UK
Ian works on Vario assignments predominately during the summer months, allowing him to fund and run his own independent ski travel business, www.glaciustravel.com, the rest of the year.
Ian Barrie
Ruth Chapman
Vario living in Italy and the UK
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.
Ruth Chapman
Kara McLaren
Returning to legal work after raising children
Not many people can boast a stint in Toronto, a successful legal career and raising four children all born within four years of each other, but Kara McLaren has managed it.
Kara McLaren
Jack Hamilton
From Placement to Paralegal
Jack gained invaluable experience ahead of his training contract through Vario, and also learned that Vario enables legal professionals to enjoy a better work-life balance than traditional employees.