Business Insider · 28 Sep, 08:06 · Business briefing

I left my job as Five Below's top lawyer. AI training has been a great addition to my private practice.

A former chief legal officer at Five Below has transitioned from corporate employment to private legal practice.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A former chief legal officer at Five Below has transitioned from corporate employment to private legal practice. The individual reports that integrating artificial intelligence training into their workflow has significantly enhanced their professional capabilities. This career shift highlights a growing trend where legal professionals leverage emerging technologies to improve efficiency and service delivery in independent practice settings. The story illustrates how senior executives are adapting to new technological landscapes, moving beyond traditional corporate roles to utilise AI tools for competitive advantage in smaller, agile business environments.

Employer demand for Medical Physics skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This narrative signals that AI proficiency is no longer optional for senior professionals, even in traditional fields like law. You must recognise that technical fluency now complements domain expertise. If you are a specialist, your value rises when you can automate routine tasks and focus on high-level strategy. Pay close attention to how AI reshapes service delivery and client expectations. A smart professional would immediately audit their current workflow for AI integration opportunities. Do not wait for corporate mandates; take initiative by upskilling in practical AI applications. This proactive stance positions you as an innovator, making you indispensable whether you remain in-house or pursue independent consultancy. Adaptability is your new currency.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Medical Physics, Python Data Visualisation Libraries Mastery, API Development and Staff Recruitment And Retention — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.