Finding Flexibility: Erin Cowling on Burnout, Boundaries, and the Rise of Freelance Lawyering

Tim is joined by Erin Cowling, founder of Flex Legal Network, for an honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, and rethinking what success in the legal profession really looks like. Erin shares her journey from Bay Street litigation to a personal breaking point that forced her to confront anxiety and depression, and ultimately step away from traditional practice.

What followed wasn’t a planned career pivot, but a search for a healthier way to practice law. Erin explains how that search led her to freelance legal work and eventually to building Flex Legal, a platform that supports both lawyers seeking flexibility and firms navigating demanding workloads.

Together, Tim and Erin explore how emotional strain, constant conflict, and a lack of boundaries contribute to burnout in law, and why flexibility, self-awareness, and redefining success are essential to creating a more sustainable legal career.

About Erin Cowling
Erin Cowling is the founder of Flex Legal Network, a Canadian platform providing freelance legal support to law firms and in-house legal departments. After practicing law in large firms and boutique litigation settings, Erin left traditional practice following burnout and mental health challenges. She went on to pioneer freelance lawyering in Canada, helping redefine how legal work can be done.

Erin is also the author of The Modern Freelance Lawyer: A Guide to the Ethics, Evolution, and Future of Freelance Legal Work. Today, she focuses on running Flex Legal full-time and advocating for flexible, sustainable careers in law.


Resources discussed in this episode:

The Modern Freelance Lawyer: A Guide to the Business, Ethics, and Evolution of Freelance Legal Work - Erin Cowling https://www.amazon.ca/Modern-Freelanc...

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Contact Tim Culbert:
LinkedIn.   / tim-culbert-5921a939  
Purvis Culbert Law LinkedIn   / purvis-culbert-law  
Instagram   / purvisculbertlaw  
Facebook   / purvisculbertlaw  

Contact Erin Cowling:
Website - Flex Legal Network https://flexlegalnetwork.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flexlegalne...
Twitter https://x.com/FlexLegalNet
Facebook   / flexlegalnetwork  
Linkedin - Flex Legal Network http://linkedin.com/company/flex-lega...
Linkedin - Erin Cowling   / erin-cowling-b9a7251b