Mary Bonsor, founder of Flex Legal, joined us to discuss why flexible legal solutions are transforming the profession. Bonsor, who trained and worked as a solicitor before founding Flex Legal in 2016, shared how her platform connects law firms and in-house teams with interim lawyers and paralegals, while championing diversity and new ways of working.

From Solicitor to Entrepreneur

The inspiration for Flex Legal came from Bonsor’s own early frustrations as a junior lawyer. She recalled sitting at her desk, looking down at law students and thinking that if only she could reach out to them for support, her workload would be far more manageable. That moment sparked the idea for a platform that would connect law firms and in-house teams with flexible legal talent. Since launching in 2016, Flex Legal has grown into a leading provider of interim staffing and a driver of social mobility in the profession, culminating in its acquisition by Mishcon de Reya in 2023.

Why Flexibility Matters

Bonsor emphasised that unpredictability lies at the heart of legal work, where sudden surges in demand can overwhelm even the best-resourced teams. She explained that the flexible model works precisely because it helps firms manage these peaks and troughs, allowing them to bring in lawyers and paralegals on demand. Flex Legal is not a simple job marketplace but a curated service that considers cultural fit as well as technical skills. “Our product is our people,” Bonsor said, stressing that the long-term success of the platform depends on ensuring high-quality placements every time.

The Post-COVID Shift

The pandemic dramatically accelerated acceptance of remote and flexible working. Bonsor noted that before 2020, many partners insisted that working from home was impossible, yet within months it became the norm. Because Flex Legal had been cloud-based from the outset, it was well positioned to respond to this change and scale rapidly as attitudes shifted.

Technology and the AI Question

Adapting to different client systems remains a challenge. Bonsor explained that each organisation uses its own mix of tools, and Flex Legal adds value by ensuring that lawyers are upskilled on those systems before placement. Looking ahead, she expects AI to reduce some junior roles but also to strengthen the case for flexible resourcing. She observed that there may be fewer permanent paralegal positions in the future, but when unpredictable work arrives, firms will still need to flex up quickly.

Rethinking Economics and the Billable Hour

The economics of legal practice were another focus of the discussion. Bonsor pointed out that it is more efficient for firms to maintain a leaner permanent headcount while relying on high-quality interim staff when demand spikes. She also addressed the impact of AI on billing, noting that time may become less central than value, but that firms must not overlook the costs of technology itself. Licences, training, and integration all require investment, which ultimately has to be absorbed somewhere in the system.

Diversity and New Career Paths

Flex Legal has made diversity and access central to its mission. Bonsor highlighted that the company’s social mobility trainee scheme has already helped more than 115 candidates from underrepresented backgrounds qualify as lawyers in FTSE companies. She also pointed to the way flexibility supports lawyers with different lifestyles and ambitions, from parents balancing childcare to creatives pursuing parallel careers. This model allows them to remain in the profession while working in ways that fit their lives.

Looking Ahead

Flex Legal now employs around 45 people at its headquarters and is expanding into adjacent areas such as company secretarial training and legal operations. While international expansion remains a future possibility, Bonsor emphasised that there is still significant growth potential in the UK.

Conclusion

The session demonstrated that flexibility is not simply a passing trend but a structural shift in how legal services are delivered. Bonsor stressed that careers today are “wiggly and squiggly,” with periods of acceleration and times when lawyers need to step back. A flexible model accommodates those realities, while also helping firms adapt to unpredictable workloads, manage costs, and build more diverse teams. Flex Legal’s journey shows how agility, cultural fit, and technological readiness are shaping the future of the profession.