This podcast is packed with useful advice from Clare Grant, BPP’s Commercial Director of Legal Apprenticeships.  Kerry Jarred and Clare discuss the increasing adoption and impact of apprenticeship programs in the legal sector, particularly solicitor apprenticeships.  If you want to understand how apprenticeships differ from the traditional training contract route, how they are structured and what would be expected of you, this is the key podcast to listen to!

Resources:

Apprenticeships | Learn About Apprenticeships And Find The Right One For You (ucas.com)

Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at BPP | BPP

GetMyFirstJob | Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships, Work Experience & Graduate Jobs

Home (notgoingtouni.co.uk)

Young Professionals – YPUK (young-professionals.uk)

Professional network for young people (uptree.co)

Free Virtual Work Experience Programs from Top Companies - Forage (theforage.com)

Welcome to The 93% Club | The State School Members' Club (93percent.club)

 If you want to learn about the world of Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital – then this is the show for you!  Kerry Jarred speaks with Sam Smith and Raghav Vohora of CMS to explore the current corporate market activity and its drivers, what investors look for when making investment decisions, and how corporate lawyers support their clients in this sector.  It is PACKED full of information as Sam and Raghav de-mystify key corporate terms and provide useful advice to those wanting to find out more.

Resources:

Finimize: Invest smarter

Financial Times (ft.com)

The Economist | Independent journalism

LittleLaw

Law firm specialised in Mergers & Acquisitions - CMS in the UK

The Secret Barrister by The Secret Barrister | Waterstones

Are you interested in becoming a barrister? This episode discusses how to get there, the data around it and has other useful tips on what to read.

Becoming a barrister can feel overwhelming and difficult.  This episode aims to de-mystify the process and gives an important steer for how you can find out more information.   

Fran welcomes Kian Goodall and Caroline Entwistle from the Bar Council (the regulatory body for the Bar) and pupil barrister Savannah Sevenzo. 

They unpack details of the new Pupillage Gateway Report and generally explain how applying for pupillage works. 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.
 -       Look on the Bar Council website under the tab ‘Becoming a Barrister’.
 -       Go to a court and sit in the public gallery.
-       Read the Pupillage Gateway Report for 2024 (link below). 

Useful resources
 -       The Pupillage Gateway Report https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/pupillage-gateway-report-2024.html 
-       The Pupillage Fair 2024 https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-events/calendar/pupillage-fair-2024.html
-       The Pegasus Access Scheme https://www.innertemple.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/how-to-get-involved/pass/
-       Chambers and Partners list of mini-pupillages  https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/the-bar/mini-pupillage-vacancies  

In this episode of ReImagineLaw we speak with two experts who have developed careers in the financial side of law firms: Gillian Cobb (Finance Director (Europe) at Kirkland & Ellis) and Chris Ward (Law Firm finance expert and trainer/consultant on law firm finance).  Gillian and Chris explain to listeners the ‘nuts and bolts’ of how law firms make money.  How can firms create a profitable business? What are their biggest costs? 

The episodes addresses a few key questions.  Does the work of the team managing finance in a law firm connect with those managing clients? What are the pressures and challenges within this?  Most legal service businesses are ‘partnerships’ rather than a ‘PLC’ – but why is this, and what does it mean for financial management, career paths, and the culture of a firm?  Gillian and Chris look ahead at the impact of technology when managing law firm finance and which tools are used to improve client services like e-billing and ‘extranet’ sites.  

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Pick a well-known business (in any sector) and then talk to a fellow student or someone in your network. Discuss together how you think it makes money. What generates the most revenue for the business, and what are its largest costs?
2. Search online for 3 different types of finance jobs in law firms.  Consider the skills they look for, and whether these match some of your own strengths?

Useful resources:

• The law firm as a business:

https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/Oracle/31032020-The-law-firm-as-a-business 

• How do law firms make money?

https://graduate.pinsentmasons.com/law-as-a-business-how-do-law-firms-make-money/ 

https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/nlanter/files/driving_profitability_forward_whitepaper.pdf

• How law firms can benefit from e-billing:

https://www.busylamp.com/how-law-firms-benefit-from-legal-e-billing/

In this episode of ReImagineLaw we speak with two lawyers who work in the field of public interest law, solicitor Helen Mowatt from the Public Interest Law Centre and employed barrister Matthew Aluwahilia from the Public Law Project.  Helen and Matthew talk about how their work takes them to the front line of live social issues ranging from policy issues, to education and homelessness.  This episode explores the feeling of being ‘on the front line’ of campaigns and social movements and the rewards that having a career centred around social good can bring. 

The episode also discusses what it means to ‘be a human rights lawyer’. Helen and Matthew talk about the challenges they faced in developing careers in this area, the need for proactivity and how to ask for support at certain key moments.

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Stop and think for a moment: what do I care passionately about and what type of impact do I want to have in my career?
2. At different phases of your career doors will close and you will need to open others.  Stretch outside your comfort zone and reach out to someone who does a job you would like to do: “I’ve admired what you do for a long time and am considering a similar career path: do you have 10 minutes for a quick call so I could learn more about your role?”

Useful resources:

• Public interest law, what is it? - https://www.pilc.org.uk/ 
• Skills and characteristics of Public Interest lawyers - https://www.thebalancecareers.com/public-interest-law-2164664 
• Information on being a Justice First Fellow like Matthew Ahluwalia: https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/  
• The Public Law Project: https://publiclawproject.org.uk/   

The title Barrister conjours up all kinds of images, and it is easy to think careers as a barrister always take one form.  But that is not always the case.   

In this episode the ReImagine Law team are joined by Angharad Price, a Welsh, employed Barrister, at the Equality Human Rights Commission.  Angharad talks about how her non-traditional background, has been a catalyst for a successful career at the Bar.  This episode encourages listeners to think of the variety of ways that barristers practice and Angharad goes through some of the student questions she addressed at this year’s pupillage fair. 

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Log on to the Supreme Court website and watch a court hearing. 
2. Think about other ways that you can get work experience – it might be different but there are still lots of opportunities to attend online events.  

Useful Resources:

• The Bar Council – I Am The Bar
• Watch a court hearing at the Supreme Court
• Have a look at the Chambers Student website and select the Bar tab 
• Have a look at the student section of the Bar Council website 

In this episode, Deepak Malhotra, Corporate Adviser and former senior in-house lawyer (General Counsel) explains how he developed his career as an in-house lawyer. He discusses the experience of moving to a role where from day 1 was literally ‘sitting amongst your clients’ in corporate business. Deepak speaks about the critical skills of communication, building trust, influencing, being proactive and how he saw his in-house team’s role as being ‘educators’ of the businesses he sat within.  The episode also explores the growth of in-house roles (with 1 in 4 solicitors now working in-house) and how that opens up opportunities to hold for roles in corporate businesses, government, charities and human rights organisations.  Finally, Deepak discusses the long-term career options, and the wide range of opportunities that in-house roles can offer to develop different skill-sets. 

This episode encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Consider what interests you most. Do you want to be a deep, niche specialist in an area of law, or have a broader, commercial role?
2. In your network, ask if anyone knows a solicitor who has an in-house legal role and seek an introduction.  Ask them what they enjoy about the role, and compare this conversation with another contact who works in private practice.

Useful resources:

• Look at websites such as the ‘Association of Corporate Counsel’ where there are career resources and information about in-house roles.
• Explore what opportunities exist for in-house training contracts, and the different government or corporate entities which offer them. 

In this episode, Kishan Mathy (trainee solicitor, insta @sqbrkt) speaks about how he tried to stand out from peers in a competitive job market, seeking a role at a City law firm, especially as he did not ‘tick all’ the traditional boxes; e.g. his academic grades.  Job hunters can focus too much on the employer they want to work for and rarely look from the point of view of the clients of the organisation they are seeking to join.  However, focusing on the ‘client angle’ can both demonstrate great commercial awareness and differentiate you from the rest.  Kishan explains how he showed curiosity to explore, research and gain experience in a range of industry sectors which interested him – where the organisations were the clients of law firms.  In subsequent interviews, these broader experiences allowed Kishan to speak from experience about trends in industry sectors, showing the broader industry understanding which law firms often seek from future trainees. 

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

• To stand out, be curious about sectors of industry or public sector bodies which interest you – which might be clients of law firms.  Attend talks and speak to people who work in those organisations, so that when you have interviews with law firms you can speak about these broader commercial topics and the range of people you have spoken to and the insights it has given you 
• Meet people who are actually doing the job you are aspiring to gain – get ‘beyond the marketing brochure’!
• Look at LinkedIn profiles of peers you meet – what do you notice from their profiles that they have studied, or experiences they have sought out?  How is it different to your own?

Resources

• Attend school, college or university careers fairs and events, be proactive and ask questions (prepare some in advance).
• LinkedIn and Google search.
• Law firm websites – look at which industry sectors they focus on to guide you on which industries their main clients may be in.

Anyone can say that they have transferable skills, but demonstrating these skills in the context required of you can be the challenge.  In this episode, the ReImagine Law team consider law as a second career.  What are the challenges and advantages of undertaking law as a second career, and what lessons can be learnt for aspiring lawyers who are on their first career. Our two guests Robert de Souza and Christine Ohuruogu highlight the value of talking to others, understanding the landscape and embracing an adaptable journey. 

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

• Reflect on skills that you may have obtained from other experiences / jobs / volunteer positions. 
• Speak to others and build your networks on Linked In. Use this as a method to be confident when being adaptable.  
• Look into what pro bono opportunities are available to you.  Use it as a platform to develop your drive and commitment. 

Useful resources

• LawWorks are a national charity who help to Coordinate pro bono opportunities, they may be able to point you to pro bono opportunities in your area.
• LawCareers.Net: https://www.lawcareers.net/ 
• The University of Law is one of a number of legal providers.  Have a look at their website for ideas.
• Have a look at the Chambers Student Guide 2021.

Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.  The profession has made some improvement in relation to recruitment but how do we retain lawyers from all backgrounds within the profession?  The ReImagine Law team are joined by Debo Nwauzu (founder of the Black Lawyers Directory) and James Alao (Clifford Chance).  James and Debo discuss a number of themes including; the challenges with the breadth of the phrase 'BAME' when trying to identify specific challenges around inclusion, how possible it is to bring your whole self to work, and the importance of work allocation to enable equality of opportunity.

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

• Speak to people from the 'inside out' to understand and learn what the culture is really like within an organisation.  Then consider, what suggestions you could make to create a greater sense of inclusion in a team of which you are a member?
• Make yourself aware of 'unconscious bias' and how that might be impacting your style as an colleague / manager / fellow student, and how you create inclusive team cultures. We all have it, and can reduce it through awareness.  

Resources

• Read the bias page on the Pearn Kandola website  
• Watch this YouTube video titled: "How can racism at work: The danger of indifference help?" by Professor Binna Kandola OBE
• Read or listen to the Book "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" by Mahzarin R Banaji. 
• Consider undertaking the Project Implicit Test run by Harvard University where you can test and see where your own unconscious bias may lie by taking Implicit Association Test/s: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html 

Building networks to explore which pathway into the legal sector might best suit you can be daunting, especially if you have few existing contacts or people to contact.  In this episode Sabrina Polito (Associate in the Energy & Climate Change group at City firm CMS UK) looks back on how she explored law as a career at school, and where she turned to for advice. She reflects on the methods she found successful to build networks and create job opportunities.  Peter Arnold (Early Talent Development Manager at CMS UK) also explains the skills his firm seeks, and both guests then suggest ways to build these capabilities.

This episode encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode.

1. Be aware: Look widely for tips on what different legal roles are really like - use social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, bloggers, and 'follow' lawyers on these platforms to hear their views they post on their day-to-day experiences, projects and successes.

2. Be client-centric: Put yourself in the shoes of a client of the firm you are interested in, choosing a client in a specific industry sector where that firm focuses.  To be ready to impress people at the firm when you speak with them, carry out some research on that sector and create 3-4 bullet points to answer "what are key commercial issues in this industry sector where you would need a law firm's help?"

3. Be reflective: To be ready for interview questions consider, "when did I face a very tricky problem, what was it, and how did I solve it?"  Can you build some great personal stories and examples, bringing in your work and study experiences?

Useful resources:
- Using and finding industry groups on LinkedIn so you can find more about your chosen sector
- Putting yourself in a client's shoes, what clients really want from their law firms
- Problem-solving ideas considering the 'how'
- What do you really want from your career / working environment? 

This episode takes an in-depth look at the advantages and opportunities of qualiying into the legal profession through the CILEx route. Three wonderful guests talk through the advantages and practical realities of studying while working.

This episode encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode.

- Research into the different routes available in CILEx including distance learning.
- Research what a career in the legal profession means to you and how it fits with the kind of life you want long term.

Resources
- Here is a link to the CILEx website with details of specialist practice areas
- Look at the costs of CILEx qualification here
- Check out the Regulation Matters webpage
- This is a video on the CILEx continuing professional development

There are so many opportunities to find out about the legal profession and what it involves, but you need to know where to look for them and find which ones interest you.  Looking early and matching opportunties to your values can really help maximise your development.  Laura Bruce gives a fantastic overview of the work of the Sutton Trust who provide many opportunities to future lawyers and Blessing gives a great insight as to what it is like to undertake them.

This episode encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode.

- Confidence is important, and difficult to gain. Reflect on the different areas that you feel you lack confidence in and think about what opportunties might help you increase your competence in that area.
- Opportunities are there and they are open to you.  Look at the search terms and organisations mentioned by Laura Bruce to see if any of them interest you. 

Resources
- Have a look at the Sutton Trust website here
- Have a look at Prime
- The Pegasus Access and Support Scheme at Inner Temple is here
- Middle Temple have an access to the Bar scheme here
- There are lots of pro bono opportunities listed here

Zaneta Sedilekova is a lawyer and director of climate and biodiversity risk consultancy firm Planet Law Lab.  Ryan (Ra) James is a trailblazer at the intersection of cross-cultural wisdom & worldview and modern business. He draws upon the profound insights of his personal journey, travelling and working in over fifty-five countries on six continents with indigenous mentors and cultures, infusing the most innovative leaders and businesses with a remarkably rich tapestry of interconnected and eloquent thought to inspire insight, curiosity, innovation and resilience whilst shaping a new paradigm for sustainable, future-ready enterprises. 

Zaneta and Ryan have partnered to create (re)purpose law – a five-week online course designed to enable lawyers to understand the current ecological crises, including climate change and biodiversity loss, from a systems perspective, looking at the role of law from economic, societal, behavioural, psychological and evolutionary angles. Zaneta and Ryan also look at law through the lens of often forgotten Indigenous paradigms to offer an alternative way of finding our purpose as lawyers in addressing the current ecological crisis.

Ryan and Zaneta challenge some established concepts in our legal frames of thinking. What does ownership really mean and, when we have possession of property, does that really give us the right (literally, and legally) to destroy as well as enjoy the benefits from it? Or to exclude others from it? We explore in the discussion how we can approach some legal and cultural concepts differently, using a kinship-centric, Indigenous worldview: a worldview that challenges the more anthropo-centric construction of cultural (and legal) systems and “rights” – asking us to adopt a humbler perspective where we have responsibility for what we “own”, hand on, and our legacy from generation to generation.

The episode looks at how law and legal systems might embrace more of the Indigenous knowledge-systems from an ally-ship perspective: ranging from our concepts of criminal justice and the court process to a songwriter’s IP or land law.  How can we look at these afresh?  Also, what role can lawyers play in the future to ensure that such perspectives are fully integrated with legal practice so that we can be better stewards of the planet we live in? 

Actions and resources for listeners:

●        See the “(re)purpose law” course syllabus.  Zaneta and Ryan are offering the course to the first 10 students who want to sign up for 500 GBP. You can email them directly to take advantage of this generous offer - zaneta-ryan@repurposelaw.com.
●        For adventurous listeners, to understand different worldviews, we recommend looking into Restoring the KinshipWorldview by Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows), with a video on the topic here.

Can trader training help you with your legal career? Should work experience be re-named experience of work? This episode welcomes graduate Arun Sohan-Pall and David Ampaw, a partner at DLA Piper explore the importance of students seeking to understand the work place in order to gain genuine commercial awareness. 

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Reflect on how to understand the business of law. Who can you speak to and how can you source information to further understand the business of law? What operationally works and is important to law firms.

2. Think about an area you have a natural interest in and use the information available to really understand what that area is about - go on get under the skin!

Useful resources:
- Have a look at the Prime website for students: https://primecommitment.co.uk/for-students.
- Explore the careers, news and graduate sections of the Totally Legal website: https://www.totallylegal.com/careers/news/

How much do you really know about what judicial roles exist? What areas of life and law do they cover?  This episodes gives an overview of the judiciary and spends time considering the value and importance of a diverse judiciary in society.  Judge Ikram shares an insight into his own background and how he doesn't think he looks like a judge!

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1.  Judge Ikram emphasised the importance in his role of understanding different perspectives across society.  So to develop your own career successfully, consider: “How broad are my networks and sources of information? And who could help me to connect with other perspectives, so I see issues from other angles?”
2. Take some time to sit in the public gallery of your local court.  Absorb the atmosphere, the staff, the judges.  Did anything surprise you?

Useful resources:

- Read about Judge Tan Ikrams career and background at these two links: here and here.
- At the time of recording these were the latest statistics on judicial diversity: here
- Read about the different types of judicial roles that exist on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website: here 

This episode demystifies what an apprenticeship in law actually involves, and how it can lead to you becoming fully qualified (with no student debt!). It promotes the very real benefits that it can bring to students and future lawyers. The team are joined by Maya Taylor and Muhammad Merali who are at different stages of their apprenticeship at Kennedy's Law. This insightful episode brings to life the realities of an apprenticeship and encourages listeners to consider this important route.

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode.

1. If life is a race, speak to 2 people already into the early stages of their career and consider which route you want to be in the 'race' for.
2. Connect with some current apprentices and ask them about their journey and why they made the decisions they did.

Useful resources:
- More information on Law Apprenticeships from BPP here
- More information on Law Apprenticeships from the University of Law here
- Prospects has some useful information on legal apprenticeships here

The ReImagineLAW team welcome guests Joseph Toft, second year LLB Law student and Jessica Piggot a solicitor at Reed Smith LLP.

Joseph discusses the actions from episode 3 and speaks with Jess about her career pathway of not undertaking a law degree. 

This episode encourages listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to the episode:

1. Topics you initially aren't considering might surprise you: talk to a fellow student or tutor about a module in next year's course you know little about.
2. Talk to someone working in the sector you are considering: and then ask them "What other routes did you consider?".
3. Do something which stretches yourself and takes you out of your comfort zone in relation to you educational and/or career path. 

Useful resources:

- There is some more information on the Graduate Diploma in Law here
- Doing a law conversion course
- What if you have a Law Degree but don't want to practice law?  This might be a useful article for you to read

We encourage listeners to undertake some practical actions after listening to this episode. 

1. Start investigating which organisations share your values.  How did you know that? 
2. What is the follow up question to the obvious question that you might ask? 
3. Develop the two questions habit (whether at an event, or online or by email).
4. Do a personal SWOT analysis (strengths / weaknesses / opportunities / threats). What limitations might you face? 

Useful resources:

1. 7 habits of highly effective people
2. 7 Networking Tips for Getting a Job (Tip number 5 is particularly crucial)
3. The power of questions
4. Here are some useful links on networking:

• Target Jobs - Networking Tips for Aspiring Lawyers
• Harvard Business Review - Networking Myths Dispelled

Take a look at the Drop Box for this episode which contains a SWOT analysis template that you can use and a note on CVs, Cover Letters and Interviews.

Do you know yourself, your values and what drives you? How do you match these values up with potential career choices? There is a lot of pressure on school leavers, students and graduates to follow certain career paths, but how well suited are these paths to the actual person?  This episode explores the importance of understanding who you are and using this to inform your path, whilst encouraging listeners to undertake some practical actions. 

1. Consider where you get your energy from?  Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Are there certain times of the day / activities / people / topics who energise you? 

2. What values are important to you?  Can or do these link to a certain career path? 

3. Consider the different groups of people who you can trust and go to for advice.  Who is your personal advisory board?

Links and Useful resources: 

1. Next Step Support - A collaborative website which provides support services to students and recent graduates 
2. Ted Talk: The power of introverts
3. Here are some interesting links on personal advisory boards: 

• MentorLoop
• LiveCareer
• Success.com

Look at the Drop Box for this episode which contains 3 document; Career Focus tips tricks and resources, Edgar Scheins table of career Anchors, Schwartz table of Career Values.

In this special episode we are joined by Sylvain Magdinier, Senior Vice-President, Legal and Compliance, at Integreon, a leading Alternative Legal Services Provider (ALSP).  We explore how ALSP businesses developed, the types of work they do, the use of technology in the work, and the roles and career paths available – highlighting the skill-sets which can help you to succeed in these businesses.

In this special episode we are joined by Sylvain Magdinier, Senior Vice-President, Legal and Compliance, at Integreon, a leading Alternative Legal Services Provider (ALSP).  We explore how ALSP businesses developed, the types of work they do, the use of technology in the work, and the roles and career paths available – highlighting the skill-sets which can help you to succeed in these businesses.  In this episode, Sylvain summarises how ALSP businesses evolved, arising from deregulation in the England & Wales legal services market allowing different types of legal service provision, coupled with a client-led drive for greater efficiency and value delivery.  Sylvain talks about the wide range of services which ALSPs can offer, ranging from provision of expert staffing to projects where legal teams need to analyse or manage high volumes of documents for litigation or transactions, regulatory-driven reporting requirements, or consultancy services.  The episode also looks at the different career paths to gaining a role in an ASLP, including the route which Sylvain took via private practice law firms and in-house roles.  We explore the skills which will help you to progress in an ALSP, the possible career paths, and how technology is constantly evolving the ways in which these businesses are working with their clients (both law firms and in-house teams).  The discussion highlights too the importance of trying different roles to gain practical experience of how businesses like an ALSP can offer interesting and challenging pathways which are at the leading edge of how the legal sector is changing. 

Actions and resources for listeners:
 
·        Check this webpage for the Chambers guide to ALSPs – read two of the articles and think what are three main trends you see in this part of the legal services market?
·        Look at two of the different services offered by Integreon as a ALSP: and for each of the two areas make a list of the skills you think will be important in providing that service.
·        Where do your skills match?  After reading this article, consider how your own skill-set and interests fit into a ALSP and the opportunities there.

In this podcast Jonny Hurst (Head of Outreach and Law Marketing at BPP) and Kerry Jarred talk about SQE pass rates, how they are published, and the things students should consider when deciding on the type of SQE training which would suit them best.  

Some useful resources, supporting this podcast are:

https://sqe.sra.org.uk/exam-arrangements/sqe-reports

https://www.youtube.com/@SQETV

https://www.bpp.com/courses/law/postgraduate/sqe-courses 

Academic Francine Ryan guides listeners through a virtual reality court room which is being developed by the Open University. 

The Open University provides a unique place to learn with students dispersed around the UK and internationally.  This has spurred academics to be specialists in online legal education.  In this episode Solicitor and Senior Lecturer Francine Ryan describes a new virtual court room being developed to help train students.  She also raises a broader discussion on the use of legal tech for litigants in person, technology equity and the ethical questions that come into play through technology. 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.
 
 -       Try using different large language models of AI e.g. Chat GPT.  Put a legal question in and see what the quality of the answer is.
 -       Look at the virtual reality court room at https://www5.open.ac.uk/scholarship-and-innovation/scilab/blog/virtual-reality-courtroom-project
-       Look at the free courses and content that is produced by the Open University https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Useful resources  
-       Studying law at the Open University https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/ppclaw?ps_kw=the%20open%20university%20law&cid=sem-9237400975&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P-rBhBEEiwAQEXhH89bQ9lPIakzJ2QT3wE6SVMQv_wdjcW-BfHrYGAGFVEXSzYrzxkReBoCDF0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

-       ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt  

In this special episode we are joined by two guests to talk about the area of Family Law and Private Client work as a solicitor.  Paul Antoniou, Family and Private Client Solicitor, Taylor Rowe MW Solicitors, and Abigail Wadlow, Final year LLB student, Queen Mary University of London, who spent her third year on a work placement at a London Family Law practice.

In this episode, Paul and Abigail talk about the daily variety of work in Family Law and Private Client work: advising clients on wills, inheritance issues, divorces, child custody, co-habitation or pre-nuptial agreements (to name just 6 areas!).  The origin of the legislation is explored, how one works with the Courts, and Paul also talks about where he sees the law will develop in the future, following changes in society and people’s needs.

Abigail reflects on the skills she developed on the placement, and especially the importance of developing strong “emotional intelligence”, creating a trusted advisory relationship with your client as you are often dealing with them at a very emotional time and the issues involved are inevitably very personal.  Paul explains also how mediation is used in this area of practice, the skills one needs to be an effective mediator, and how this can help in the resolving of family-related disputes.

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         See the Austin Kemp insights series – and read two of the articles there.  

Check this page for finding out more about “Private Client” work and the skills required (in addition to those highlighted by Paul and Abigail in the podcast) – how do your strengths align with this area of practice? 

In this special episode we are joined by two guests.  Dominika Gasiorowski and Ibinabo Osasona, who are both Associates in the Pensions Law Team at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP.  Dominika is based in the Manchester offices of CMS and Ibinabo is based in the firm’s Glasgow offices.
 
In this episode we aim to “de-mystify” pensions law, explaining why it is an important and interesting area of legal practice in which to develop a career.  Dominika begins by talking about how pensions law came to be high profile, following the 1991 Robert Maxwell case, in which £450m of assets were found to be missing from the pension funds of companies under Maxwell’s control.  Ibinabo explains how pension management is often linked to changes in the current economic climate, leading to issues such as the affordability of pension savings and the need for younger people to start their pension planning as early as possible.  Our guests also explain the types of work they do in their Pensions Team at CMS, ranging from litigation to advising Trustees of pension schemes and also working with individuals who require pensions-related advice.  Dominika and Ibinabo discuss how this area of law gives insights into the legal work in other departments, as they are often working collaboratively with colleagues on topics ranging from employment law to data protection, or with their Corporate teams on large mergers or acquisitions where they are pensions issues to be considered.  We explore too the skills needed to work as a Pensions lawyer, including research; the skill of asking good questions and “being a good detective”; communication and managing deadlines; and also the skill of empathy to build long-term client relationships – as clients often work with their advisers for many years. 

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         See the CMS Pensions Team knowledge resources, highlighting current issues for Pensions law.
·         On this Chambers Guide for Pensions law, look at the section “What lawyers do” and the “Realities of the job”: how do your own skills match up against these areas (and those highlighted by Dominika and Ibinabo in the podcast)?

This special roving episode goes around the Pupillage Fair 2023.  Hosted by the Bar Council this annual event brings together different organisations at the Bar.   

In this episode Fran and Sassy attend the Pupillage Fair 2023 in London (Pupillage Fair 2023 (barcouncil.org.uk)).  They rove around the different stalls and learn more about life as a barrister and how to get there.  

This episode hears from different chambers, the Criminal Bar Society, an Inn of Court, and of course those attending.  In this episode the Bar Council give an overview of their role, the work of the Young Bar team and some interesting tips like the Bar Placement Week for those between 16 and 18 years old. 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Take a look at the Bar Council Website for the Pupillage Fair Pupillage Fair 2023 (barcouncil.org.uk). 

-       Read more about becoming a barrister here: Becoming a barrister (barcouncil.org.uk)

Useful resources

-       The Bar Council https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/ 

-       The Young Bar https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/support-for-barristers/young-bar.html 

-       The Criminal Bar Association https://www.criminalbar.com/  

In this podcast we share:

• Insights into programmes offered by law firms before you apply
• How to deal with those tough questions  
• What interviewers look for in the answers they hear - the good ones and poor ones!
• Some great tips on how best to use LinkedIn
• What is and what makes a good elevator pitch

Useful links for listeners:

DLA Piper Early Careers  - Early Careers - DLA Piper Early Careers
The Pathways to Law programme run by The Sutton Trust  - Sutton Trust Pathways
DLA Piper offer work experience through the Social Mobility Business Partnership - Home - Social Mobility Business Partnership (smbp.org.uk)

Home - Pay.UK (wearepay.uk)

In this special episode we are joined by three guests.  William Harris, who was a barristers’ clerk for 35 years, with 25 years of those being as a Senior Clerk at a London set of chambers. Also, Poppy Maddison and Kazia Myrie, who are both Assistant Practice Managers at 15 New Bridge Street Chambers – a barristers set in London working in the area of criminal law.

Our guests begin by outlining what the role of a barristers’ clerk is, and the varied roles and responsibilities.  The need to be able to manage a complex series of relationships, both externally and internally, is highlighted – and also the need, above all, to keep calm under pressure given the fast-moving nature of a chamber’s business.  Kazia, Poppy and William all talk about the skills needed for the clerking role: an ability to manage the group of barristers in chambers, the flows of potential cases for them, and how they needed often to think about the strengths and career goals of different barristers to guide their decisions as a clerk in terms of which barristers should be offered different cases.  Changes in the work of clerks, with the move to digital records and paperwork, is also described.

The career progression of a clerk is discussed, and also the increasing amount of management work which now takes place in a barrister’s chambers, and how the clerk has become a key person in this activity.  Skill-sets to succeed in the clerking role are highlighted, including the importance of staying calm, and the critical need to be able to build relationships with both senior and junior colleagues, and court administrators.  The impact of clerks doing all these tasks well is described, showing how this allows your chamber’s barristers to maximise earnings from a case, and can remove the administrative load from barristers themselves, thus enabling them to focus on their advocacy.

We are extremely grateful to the generous sponsorship of BPP University and International Law Firm CMS which makes the continued production of the podcast possible.

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Do an internet search for a barristers’ chambers.  Pick a chambers and look at the clerking or Practice Manager roles listed there.

·         Look at the website for the Institute for Barristers’ Clerks, in particular the compliance obligations of clerks.  What does that tell you about the role, and how this might match your skills and strengths?

 In this special episode we are joined by Tamara Box.  Tamara is a partner, and Head of Structured Finance at global law firm Reed Smith and, in the immediate past, was the firm’s Managing Partner for Europe and the Middle East.  We “horizon scan” with Tamara on how she sees the legal services sector changing in the coming years, and what that means for the careers, skills and opportunities for those entering the sector.
 
In this special episode we are joined by Tamara Box.  Tamara is a partner, and Head of Structured Finance at global law firm Reed Smith and, in the immediate past, was the firm’s Managing Partner for Europe and the Middle East.  We “horizon scan” with Tamara on how she sees the legal services sector changing in the coming years, and what that means for the careers, skills and opportunities for those entering the sector.  In this episode, Tamara talks about her own career path, the importance of being open to exploring opportunities, “being brave” and not expecting that one’s career will develop in a linear way.  Tamara also highlights how legal education and training gives a great set of foundational skills to pivot into many career paths – and how more diversity of skill-set and mind-set will be critical to deliver on client service needs in the future.  For those entering the sector, Tamara sets out the breadth of opportunities across the private, public and non-for profit sectors – and above all how key skill-sets for students to focus on developing are those of customer service, communication and writing skills too, which will be critical for building great professional connections and opening up opportunities. 

Actions and resources for listeners:
·       Check this blog by Jordan Furlong for how the legal sector may look (“if we’re lucky”) in 2033.
·       Look at this list of 7 client/customer service skills.  Which 1 skill could you develop more in the coming 6 months?

Flora Curtis, barrister and member of the UK “Legal Voices for the Future” initiative.  Camila Bustos, Assistant Professor of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University (NY), and co-founder of the US body “Law Students for Climate Accountability”.   

In this special episode we are joined by two guests.  Flora Curtis, a London-based barrister specialising in environmental law, and a member of “Legal Voices for the Future” (LVF), a learning forum acting as a voice for positive change about climate-related issues for the next generation of lawyers.  Professor Camila Bustos teaches on environment and climate justice and co-founded the “Law Students for Climate Accountability” initiative in the US to highlight the role lawyers can play on key environmental issues.
 
In this special episode we are joined by two guests. Flora Curtis, a London-based barrister specialising in environmental law, and a member of “Legal Voices for the Future” (LVF), a learning forum acting as a voice for positive change about climate-related issues for the next generation of lawyers.  Professor Camila Bustos teaches on environment and climate justice and co-founded the “Law Students for Climate Accountability” (LSCA) initiative in the US to highlight the role lawyers can play on key environmental issues. 

Flora talks about how a barrister’s work can focus on different aspects of environmental law, and the actual role a barrister can play in cases – including understanding important technical areas of environmental law, and discussing scientific findings with expert witnesses.  The challenge of the “cab rank” rule is considered, where barristers are under an obligation to offer representation to clients to enable access to justice, where climate-related ethical issues may arise from representing certain individuals or organisations.  Flora talks about the skills you use in such work, the importance of good research and questioning skills, and the need to have the confidence to challenge senior experts.  The work of LVF in running education sessions is highlighted, with topics ranging from climate litigation to “greenwashing” by corporations.

Camila speaks about what led her to be one of the co-founders at Yale Law School of the LSCA initiative, now active across the whole US.  The disconnect between the rhetoric of law firms and their actions is explored, including how the group has put together an annual “Scorecard” to measure the performance of different law firms on climate-related issues – and also invites students, law firms and their clients to make a pledge on how they are contributing positively on climate-related issues. 

Camila discusses the purpose of publishing this information, including the goal of empowering students to consider for which organisations they may like to work, and encourages students to remember what brought them to law in the first place as a field of study – remembering to keep their “Why?” and purpose front of mind as they build their careers. 

Actions and resources for listeners:         
Read the UK “Carbon Circle” report from the Law Students for Climate Accountability – what does this tell you about the Legal Industry’s ties to the Fossil Fuel Industry?
Also look at the organisation’s latest “scorecard” for how major law firms rank in their activities related to fossil fuels: https://www.ls4ca.org/scorecard.         
Follow the “Legal Voices for the Future” LinkedIn page to learn about their work, and recent knowledge sessions they have run.  

in this special episode we are joined by Katie Benedickter, Trainee Solicitor at D2 Legal Technology. Katie discusses her career path to date, and how exploring different areas of law, and other disciplines, in her studies led Katie to roles where there was a broad, international and commercial focus where she could look at law with a “business mind”. 

Katie talks about the importance of proactively seeking different work experience also and being open to a wide range of opportunities and new, potential career paths.  The skills needed for Katie’s current role, advising clients in the financial services sector, on how technology and managing data can solve business problems, are discussed – in particular how seeing the broader commercial picture is important for your clients and also how legal expertise fits into these broader business needs.  The episode also talks about the learning habits which Katie has found important build early in her career: a curiosity and keenness to learn, being willing to “jump in at the deep end” and try new projects, the importance of collaboration across different disciplines, and especially of developing the ability to keep a “business mind” and to see law within its context.  Also Katie talks about the importance of recognising your own progress and achievements at all stages of your education and early career, and staying focused on maximising the opportunities in front of you to develop your own, unique path. 

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Look at these “10 important lawyer skills – and how to develop them”. 
·         Give yourself a score against each of them.  
·         What is one strength to build on, and which one could you usefully spend more time on also?

Our guest today is Akber Datoo, CEO and Founder of D2 Legal Technology, and both technologist and private practice lawyer, adviser to financial institutions on how process re-engineering, use of legal technology and data can optimise business decisions and provide solutions to challenges.
 
In this special episode we are joined by Akber Datoo, who discusses his career path as well as the future trends of the use of technology in law and in the businesses that lawyers support.  Akber talks about his initial studies in computer science, early career roles exploring banking technologies, his decision to retrain and qualify as a lawyer, and then applying this knowledge back in the financial services sector.  Also, Akber reflects how critical it was to work across the functions of a business to understand one is solving not just for legal problems, but business problems that just happen to have a legal component to them, using data and technology.
 
Akber explains the importance of following one’s passion, being curious, and of understanding the broader principles of one’s area of expertise: challenging and asking “Why…?” things are done in certain ways, to drive better approaches.  In the discussion Akber also explores the cultural differences he noticed between sectors such as law, banking and technology. 

In particular, how does innovation happen?  How comfortable are people with “failing”, so that learning from initial attempts at a new solution are welcomed and celebrated, helping an organisation reach to an optimised and more efficient outcome. 

Key skills Akber highlights include the importance of understanding the “root cause” of challenges, and also remaining sharply focused on the business, rather than the legal problem, in creating value for one’s clients. Collaborating across functions and building one’s own multi-disciplinary expertise to support one’s career choices are also highlighted. 

Actions and resources for listeners:
       
Look at these insights into technology and law, and read one which interests you – and for all you studying currently, into which modules and assignments can you connect some of the insights?

Look at the transferable skills from the world of Computer Science.  Which of these are important to develop in the legal sector, to help clients to solve their business (not just legal) challenges?  

There is more to being a lawyer than knowing the law.  More and more firms are recognising the importance of ‘how’ lawyers approach working with colleagues and clients.  

The business of law is the provision of a service, and the people buying that service, want to work with people they enjoy working with.  They want to feel connected and understood.  Irrelevant of how well someone does academically, at the end of the day solicitors and barristers work with people, on behalf of people, and the decisions that are made affect people's lives.

In this episode we will be exploring the professional behaviours and mindsets needed to set you up for success as a lawyer.

Our guests today are:

Charlotte Wanendeya - Head of Law at BPP University, Holborn Centre London, with 25 years’ teaching and module leading experience across a range of knowledge and skills areas. An accredited Mediator, Charlotte qualified as a solicitor at Clifford Chance and committee member of the City of London Law Society Training Committee.

Nigel Jamieson – Head of Law at BPP University, Leeds.  Previously a solicitor specialising in criminal law since 1995, and also a Higher Courts Advocate from 2011.  Nigel also qualified as a Barrister in 2015.

In this podcast we hear from a 2nd year solicitor apprentice, Darcey, and her mum, Lindsey, on:

• The importance of seeking input from different people and teachers on the university & apprenticeship routes, and the impact good research has into making the best decision on which of those options is right  
• How to set up for success in the recruitment process
• Why as a parent the solicitor apprenticeship is a win-win and the positive impact it has

CMS apprenticeship (including how to apply): https://www.cmsearlytalent.com/programmes/solicitor-apprenticeships/

Apprenticeships: What Parents Need to Know: https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/advice/apprenticeships-parents

Apprenticeships: Support for Parents and Guardians: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/support-for-parents-and-guardians# 

In this episode you'll hear:

What are they, how long do they last?

What do you learn and how do they benefit the apprentice and the firm?

 Useful links:

·         Benefits of secondments (in general): https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-careers/secondments/benefits-of-secondment

·         Benefits of secondments for early career stage lawyers (as trainee): https://www.shoosmiths.co.uk/careers/careers-early/early-careers-blog/blog/why-secondments-are-beneficial-to-trainee-solicitors

·         Solicitor apprenticeship example, including reference to secondment: https://www.shlegal-futuretalent.com/opportunities/apprenticeships

In this episode you'll hear:

How the different forms of assessment work and tips to do well

How best to manage work and study, with some great tips

How the different forms of support sets you for the SRA competencies

Useful links:

·         Solicitor assessments – the SQE: https://sqe.sra.org.uk/about-sqe/who-is-the-sqe-for/apprentices

·         Burges Salmon apprentice – balancing work/life: https://www.burges-salmon.com/careers/careers-blog/balancing-work-life-studies-and-everything-in-between

·         Balancing work/life: https://www.lyonsdavidson.co.uk/national-apprenticeship-week-balance-work-studies/

Career changers

Hear three different journeys to becoming a solicitor, from those who has different careers previously.

In this episode you'll hear:

How the support needed to becoming a solicitor can be shaped to make the most of the previous experiences, as well as the benefits past experiences bring. 

How to manage imposter syndrome and lots of top tips for career changers.

Useful links:

·         Managing imposter syndrome as a student: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/news/2021/sep/3-tips-manage-imposter-syndrome

What is the role of a supervisor, as part of your rotations within your solicitor apprenticeship? Hear advice from Taiya about how she is making the most of her supervisor & what to expect from them, as well as the best mindset to take for your rotations. Plus some tips from Molly for other rotation supervisors!
 
 Useful links:

Supervision: good practice for remote supervision of junior staff and trainee solicitors

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/hr-and-people-management/supervision-good-practice-for-remote-supervision-of-junior-staff-and-trainee-solicitors

Keeping close: supervising and mentoring trainees remotely 

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/blogs/keeping-close-supervising-and-mentoring-trainees-remotely

There are many different types of courts and one less discussed, is the Coroners’ Court. 

We are joined by Nadia Persaud, a Coroner for East London to unpack this interesting area.  This area discusses the role of a Coroner, the powers of the Coroners’ Court and how this type of inquisitorial judicial role is unique in the English legal system. 
We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Coroners’ Courts are open courts – go along to your local Coroners’ Court and listen to the proceedings.
-       Read “A Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-coroner-services-and-coroner-investigations-a-short-guide   

Useful resources -       The Coroners’ Court: https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/coroners-courts/

Ever wondered what a career in Real Estate Law, and in particular affordable housing entails?  This podcast will give you real insight into how law firms like Trowers and Hamlin provide services within this sector.  Kerry Jarred is joined by Rob Beiley, Emma Kirby and Nikita Asher from Trowers and Hamlin, one of our sponsors here at ReImagine Law.  The show is packed with advice and guidance, one not to be missed!

Resources:

Inside Housing - Home

Trowers & Hamlins - International law firm -Trowers & Hamlins

Navigating the UK market investment in student accommodation -Trowers & Hamlins

In this special episode we are joined by Gordon Tsang and Amelia Mah who discuss their work in dispute resolution at international law firm CMS.  Gordon and Amelia explore the different approaches to working with their clients to settle disputes, including litigation through the courts and the alternative dispute resolution process of arbitration and mediation. 

Gordon and Amelia explain how it is hard to define a “usual” day in the life of a litigator as the work is so varied!  Working individually on drafting, speaking with different experts ranging from IP (intellectual property) or employment law colleagues at CMS, going to Court, or consulting with barristers or other external experts from industry who are needed to input into building the evidence base for a case.  Key skills for this career path are highlighted, including the skill to be able to adapt one’s communication style for different stakeholders, to make complex, technical issues readily understood, and the skill of being able to identify and summarise key points for your audience.  Time management and the ability to manage projects well are also emphasised and the need to be proactive and plan ahead, always keeping in mind too your client’s goal.  Is this dispute work about reputation management, recovering an investment or seeking to save a client’s business?  Every situation differs and a tailored strategy is needed each time.   

Actions and resources for listeners:   

See this introductory webinar guide to “Disputes 101” from CMS, covering lots of areas mentioned in this episode related to Civil Litigation.
See this summary of the arbitration process, understand what it is and some of the international dimensions to using this as a form of dispute resolution.

In this bumper episode we explore Real Estate Law, including areas such as what it really is, what a typical day looks like, the types of clients and work involved, as well as career path options within this area of law.  We also find out about ESG in the context of property and the impact of ESG advice for Real Estate clients.  We are joined by Cheryl Gurnham (partner), Amit Unadkat (partner) and Sofiya Yerokhina (Associate) from International Law Firm, CMS.

In this episode we speak with Roy Lee, a Legislative Counsel at the Law Officers of the Crown, Guernsey, who has worked across the world in many jurisdictions, consulting to governments for over 25 years to draft legislation in a range of areas.

Roy explains how his formative years led him to become passionate about Human Rights and Governance issues, and why the law became his chosen career, after exploring pathways in journalism.  Also, Roy explains his career choices, and how early experience in legal publishing led on to a career in “writing the law”, working with many different governments around the world, from New Zealand and Pacific States, to Guernsey.

Key skills for this career path are highlighted by Roy, including curiosity and an interest in a broad range of legal practice areas from transactional work to litigation.  We also discuss how those drafting the law work with government teams to co-create legislation and how it is updated through time.

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Look at the Government’s webpages about Legislative drafting to understand more.

·         Also see the case studies from people who have taken up this career path.

We hear from two apprentices, Amy and Hamza, one in house and one in private practice, sharing their own and different journey into a solicitor apprenticeship & why is was right for them.

They also share the skills and behaviours you need and will develop to succeed, including why you need to be brave, the importance and power of building networks and accessing mentors, as well as their top tips for success!

Amy Marren on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/amy-marren
Hamza Islam on LinkedIn: (7) Hamza (Yusuf) Islam | LinkedIn 

 Kerry (Jarred Consulting) explores this topic with Julie Harris (Head of Law BPP University South East) and Kathleen O’Reilly (Head of Law BPP University South West), in order to bring to life examples of the type of tech used in the sector, and what this means in the context of the role of a future facing lawyer.

We also hear from Julie and Kathleen about the kind of tech skills needed to flourish as a legal professional, and how technology is incorporated into the provision of legal education to develop students’ skills.

So if you are interested in de-mystifying this topic, listen on!

For those curious to learn more, some further resources are found below:

SRA | Technology and Innovation in Legal Services | Solicitors Regulation Authority

10 Trends in the Legal Tech Sector for 2022 | IE LawAhead

How Technology is Revolutionizing the Legal Sector? (appinventiv.com)

Nicholas Cheffings who was Global Chair at Hogan Lovells, and was also until recently Chair of the Prime Commitment shared his insights as to how the legal sector has changed in the last 10 years, with more law firms focusing more on their wider purpose and creating more routes into the profession for people from all backgrounds.

On the skills needed, strong technical legal skills are key but IT and coding skills, as well as a wider knowledge and set of skills can bring real advantage when it comes to clients in different sectors.

Covid-19 has proved lawyers can perform at a high level and not need to be in the office, and that is leading to a rise in more flexible and hybrid working, as well as outsourcing and a rise of contract lawyers. But spending time in office around others is still important to grow knowledge, especially in early stages of your career. 

Nicholas shares his views on the Partnership model in law firms and also discusses the issues around when to specialise.

Finally, he encouraged all who either want to come into and are working in the legal sector to ‘believe in yourself’, as everyone has doubts and fears (some hide it better than others|)  and enjoy your work!

It is no secret that studying Law can be expensive.  This episode explores all the ways that you can look for support and assistance to help pay for your studies.  

Hilary Chadwick and Vicky Walden from BPP take an in-depth look at the options available for undergraduate Law courses, apprenticeships and post graduate studies.  They share their tips and tricks and outline the breadth of funding available for both the barristers and solicitors arms of the profession.  

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Look at the BPP employability webinars which are freely available to all.  You can find out more about the schedule by emailing lawoutreach@bpp.com. 

-       Look at the Student Loans Company website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company

Useful resources

-       Scholarships from the Inns of Court: https://www.lawcareers.net/Barristers/Inns-of-Court-Scholarships 

-       The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/diversity-access-scheme 

-       Aspiring Solicitors: https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/ 

Our guests this week are Mary Westcott, an extradition Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, Rosemary Rollason a Solicitor who specialises in regulatory law (including the regulation of barristers and solicitors) and Lisa McClory an independent consultant who set up Fractal Knowledge advising businesses on ethics.   

This panel discussion considers what we mean by legal ethics and why it is important for lawyers in practice.  Our guests discuss ethics in the general sense, and whether lawyers have a duty to be ‘ethical’? The specific rules which govern the behaviour of barristers and solicitors are considered and illuminated with specific examples from practice. Amongst other things our panel consider the purpose of legal ethics?  Is it to regulate and restrict the behaviour or lawyers or should the regulation of lawyers be more aspirational to seek to achieve something in society? 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode...
 
Take a look at the Bar Standards Ethics Hub and see some of the common dilemmas that arise in practice:
 https://www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/subject/ethics/       
Take a look at the Solicitor Regulation Authority Principles:
https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/principles/       
Take a look at the Bar Standards Board Core Duties:
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-barristers/compliance-with-your-obligations/the-core-duties.html   

Useful resources         
Law Students for Climate Accountability: https://www.ls4ca.org/       
The Law Gazette https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news       
The Bar Standards Board website has useful resources about how Barristers are regulated: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/       
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has useful resources about how Solicitors are regulated: https://www.sra.org.uk/       
The Law Society Guidance on refusing to provide a service: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us/helplines/practice-advice-service/q-and-as/refusing-to-provide-a-service   

Today we are talking about diversity and inclusion within the Solicitors Profession.  This episode considers the progress in the profession to date and the vital need to keep momentum going to drive further change.  This week our guest is Chris White from Aspiring Solicitors who talks frankly about the work still to do and the importance of data to progress diversity initiatives.  One of the values of Aspiring Solicitors is “be impatient for change” and Chris discusses the importance of sharing your data to help progress that change.  

The team discuss; the importance of long term change and programmes rather than short term initiatives, diversity as a strength which is individual, and the importance of workplace understanding of difference once in a role.  

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Do a simple Google search for “diversity in law” or your diversity characteristic and the area of law you want to get into. 

-       Use your initiative and look for practical opportunities you can do to help understand the profession. Think differently about how you can bring your desires and passion to life – do what others don’t (within the boundaries of legal and ethical). 

-       Go to court and watch a hearing in any area of law. 

Useful resources

-       Aspiring Solicitors https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/ 

-       Aspiring Solicitors Foundation https://www.theasf.org.uk/ 

How is law and regulation being used to support the world’s attempt to slow climate change and achieve environmental sustainability?  In this episode Zaneta Sedilekova, Associate in Climate Risk at global law firm Clyde & Co, and Biodiversity Risk Consultant at the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative explains to listeners how current climate issues are being implemented into international legal frameworks – the challenges which legislators face, and progress that has been made.

We discuss how these issues translate into the daily work of lawyers and how legal teams are being created to advise organisations on issues surrounding Climate and Biodiversity risk, helping them to understand the fast-moving regulatory requirements in this area. 

Zaneta also talks about how her own career has taken her into this area of work, the career path decisions she made, the importance of seeking out practical placements and experiences in these new areas of law, and skills you can usefully develop as you build a legal career in the area of climate and biodiversity law.

Resources for listeners:

·         Law Society report on climate change and the law: Climate Change Risks: the future of law as we know it?

·         Biodiversity risk and liabilities:  Biodiversity liability and value chain risk report 

Action for listeners:

Look at the Law Society report provided above:  

1.       Pick one of the Climate Change risks identified on pp. 5-9.

2.       Discuss with a friend or colleague for 15 minutes what skills and knowledge you will need to develop as a lawyer to help governments or other organisations to work on these environmental elements of the law in the next 10 years. Think across disciplines, not just legal skills and knowledge!