Leaving Big Law to start an AI-enabled boutique

In this episode, we speak with Simon Leaf - a former Mishcon de Reya partner who has launched Three Points Law, a tech-enabled boutique focused on technology, sport and commercial/IP work alongside fellow former Mishcon lawyer Tom Murray. After 15 years in Big Law, Simon left to build a firm that uses AI from day one and is structured for the kind of fast, high-volume commercial work he handles.Simon explains why the traditional model no longer fits. As his hourly rate rose and teams grew around him, he felt further from clients and constrained by incentives tied to billable hours. At Three Points, he’s leaning into value-driven pricing and using AI to cut out most junior-level work so he and co-founder Tom can stay close to clients and move faster.He shares how the firm is using Legora and other AI tools across the workflow - from business development and fee proposals to standardised contract review processes. The tech isn’t perfect, he says, but in the hands of experienced lawyers it’s powerful enough that he’s “100%” confident it replaces the need for junior hires. The early traction has been strong enough that they’re already recruiting senior lawyers instead.Simon also breaks down the mechanics of starting a modern boutique: partnering with Excello for back-office and regulatory support, avoiding external capital to stay client-focused, and building a culture where he can do high-quality work without the pressures of Big Law. His advice to others thinking of making the leap? If you have the relationships and the appetite to do things differently, “go for it.”Chapters00:01 Introduction01:00 Simon’s Background01:56 Why Three Points Law?03:09 Life at Mishcon & Leading the Sports Group03:46 Inside Premier League Player Contracts06:23 Why Big Law No Longer Fit09:10 The Billable Hour Problem10:58 Going All-In on AI from Day One13:23 How AI Replaces Junior Work16:23 Moving Away from the Billable Hour19:12 Why Human Lawyers Still Matter20:18 Will More Boutiques Break Away?21:58 Three Points’ Vision and Culture23:18 How They Set Up the Firm27:41 Advice for Aspiring Boutique FoundersAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk