Leaving Big Law to start an AI-enabled Boutique Law Firm
Simon Leaf, spoke to the Non-Billable podcast about the launch of the practice and how he and partner Tom Murray are meeting the challenges of client service in the age of AI and a fast-moving legal industry.
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.
“We’ve got a great partner in Excello Law that look after our KYC and AML, provide great PA and IT support… and we can focus on what we do best, servicing our clients,” Simon says.
