Episoder
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In this special episode we are joined by Dr Angela Sherwood and Monika Sobiecki to talk about the role lawyers can play in achieving “Climate Justice”.
We talk about what “Climate Justice” means, how both guests became so committed to working in this area, and the urgent need for all lawyers to consider the environmental impact of their work. Also, we discuss Angela’s new (and unique) undergraduate law degree programme at QMUL, “Law and Climate Justice”.
Monika and Angela talk about their respective pathways to the world of law and “Climate Justice”. Angela speaks about her role at the United Nations, and how her interest grew in the political and legal aspects of climate change, and also how this linked to her interests in human rights, social justice, and the individual impact which environmental challenges are having across the world.
This led Angela to develop a new law degree programme at QMUL to ensure that the next generation of law students are keenly aware of the relevant issues and can understand how they, as future lawyers, can be change agents to help achieve “Climate Justice”.
Monika talks about her work as a barrister, and how a client’s case she was working on (‘Climategate’) triggered a sense of needing to help more with the climate emergency – in particular making lawyers aware of the impact which their work is having globally. Monika discusses the work of the “Lawyers are Responsible” group, and explains how students equally passionate about this topic can become involved, and why she feels this is so important.
Actions and resources for listeners:
· Look at the topics covered in the new QMUL degree in “Law and Climate Justice”: which ones are you particularly passionate about?
· Watch the Newsnight video on the Lawyers are Responsible website: what are your views on the “cab rank rule” for barristers and how should lawyers think about ethics in a climate crisis?
· How are UK law students getting involved in challenging climate change? Have a look at the group Law Students for Climate Accountability and the critical demands they are making of the legal profession. -
In this special episode we are joined by two final year QMUL Law students, Simran Patel and William Green, who took up the option of embedding a year of paid work experience into their law studies. We talk about how the opportunity to apply one’s academic learning in the workplace is powerful, the skills they built, the different private practice and in-house work environments, and the career insights which a work placement offers to guide your development.
For the in-house environment, Williams speaks about how working in the Corporate and Legal Operations teams at CHANEL led to feeling very close to the business units across the company. How he built his commercial awareness, giving him great insight into issues a lawyer needs to think about as part of their work in a world-leading luxury brand business. Also, William compares this experience with the private practice environment of ICB Law Firm in Kuwait, which was a fascinating insight into a law firm in a different region.
Simran talks about how much insight her placement at BCLP gave into a career in private practice – especially how she built her confidence in dealing directly with clients, the need to be responsive, and build one’s communication skills. Also Simran describes how the technologies which are now becoming a key part of a lawyer’s daily tool-kit mean that attention to detail is even more critical – checking what the AI and other automation tools have created. Finally, Simran compares this private practice experience with her previous internships as part of an in-house legal team, and how all this experience has helped to shape her career thinking.
Actions and resources for listeners:
· Look at the QMUL placement degree student experience videos and statements here – what skills did the students develop? And how does this list of skills link to some skills you would like to develop?
· Read this article about In-House career paths and how you can find a path toward them – and plan your answers for the interview questions listed there! -
Manglende episoder?
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In this podcast we hear from the CEO of Clarilis, a market leading technology platform in the sector, who shares insights into:
The different ways technology and Generative AI are impacting the sector, including how technology is making the most of the best legal minds The different elements of legal technology and how for example, large language models are being usedThe pace of change & what drives itHow embracing generative AI frees up those in the sector to enjoy their work even morePlus of course tips on both routes into legal technology and how to know if it is for you
Useful links and resources:
https://www.clarilis.com/
https://www.clarilis.com/about-clarilis/careers
https://www.artificiallawyer.com/
https://www.legalcheek.com/
https://www.legalgeek.co/
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This episode encourages, and guides, students on the nuts and bolts of how to go to court and watch a court case from the public gallery.
Most courts in the country have public galleries where members of the public over the age of 14 can attend and watch hearings.Watching a court case whether a trial, hearing or an appeal is a wonderful way to learn more about the legal profession. This episode aims to give listeners all the nitty gritty information they need to get the confidence to go to court and watch.
Useful Resources:
Here is a page about criminal sentencing being televised and there is a You Tube link towards the bottom of the page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/broadcasting-crown-court-sentencing
Watch current and past cases at the Supreme Court here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/
Competition Appeal Tribunal Website (with livestream towards the top of the page). https://www.catribunal.org.uk/ -
This special episode records a live stream panel event with criminal lawyers discussing their work and views. The episode has audience contributions from aspiring lawyers.
In this special episode Fran welcomes three criminal lawyers to join her on a panel discussing the nuts and bolts of working in criminal practice. Barristers Beth Crocker and Sonal Dishani and solicitor Harun Matin get stuck in to all the wonderful questions that our audience and Fran have for them. A must listen for anyone interested in working in criminal law.
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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)
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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
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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? -
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
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This podcast addresses whether the SQE syllabus delivers what is needed to be able to be effective in role as a newly qualified solicitor. Kerry Jarred is once again joined by Jonny Hurst of BPP and also, by Chloe Hayes who has recently passed her SQE 2 exams and is currently working towards to fulfilling her QWE requirements.
We cover the differences between the LPC and SQE course content, How the SQE course content sets students up for deciding the area of law to specialise in; what students can do to gain more experience and insight; and is packed full of top tips and advice.
Links:
LLM SQE1&2 | Courses | BPP
BPP Legal Advice Clinic (BLAC) | Pro Bono Centre | BPP University Law School
SQE preparation courses - Courses (lawcareers.net)
CommercialAwareness - Commercial awareness (lawcareers.net)
The SQE Hub - Legal Cheek
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Growing the next generation of social justice lawyers is vital for a well-rounded legal system. This episode explores the brilliant Justice First Fellowship programme which provides training opportunities within a range of charities and social justice law firms to create graduate roles to qualification.
In this episode Fran welcomes Deborah Acquaah (who manages the Justice First Fellowship within the Legal Education Foundation) and Myriam Naoual (a Justice First Fellow). They explain this brilliant programme giving opportunities for training and development in the social justice sector. They describe the sense of community Fellows have, and how the programme helps create change makers in the sector. A must listen for anyone wanting to work in the social justice sector but not knowing how.We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.
1. Read the Justice First Fellowship Brochure (see below).
2. Look on different websites and start to look at the types of roles which are available in different Law Centres and charities.Useful resources: -
The Justice First Fellowship https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/about/about-the-fellowship/ -
Justice First Fellowship Brochure https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/about/justice-first-fellowship-brochure/ -
Become a Fellow https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/how-to-apply/eligibility/ -
In this special episode we are joined by Barry Matthews, Group Deputy General Counsel at the Pennon Group Plc, and Holly Moore, Legal Advisor in the in-house legal team at broadcaster ITV. We explore how you can develop a career path as an in-house lawyer, how the role differs from other types of legal practice, the opportunities such pathways offer, the skills which help you to succeed as an in-house lawyer, and how the role is changing.
In this episode, Barry and Holly explain how they each developed their career paths to in-house legal roles and what attracted them to this area of legal practice. For Barry, this was a route via private practice in a City law firm, whilst Holly gained an in-house solicitor apprentice role and went directly into in-house practice. Areas discussed include the diversity of the roles and opportunities, and the closeness of the in-house legal role to the commercial business you are advising.
Holly speaks about the fast-moving, and varied work at ITV from commercial negotiations to drafting and brand protection work. Also Holly discusses how the in-house role gives a great “helicopter view” of the business as her role rotated through different departments during training. Barry also emphasises the variety of his in-house work at a senior level, ranging from the legal and commercial strategy work to collaborating with academic partner organisations on societal issues such as water supply resilience. Both guests talk about skills such as agility, project management and relationship building as being key to success – and how they see in-house legal functions developing in the future.
Actions and resources for listeners:
· Check this webpage to find out some differences between working as an in-house lawyer and in private practice.
On this list of “10 Business Skills every in-house lawyer should master”, where are you already strong, and which 1 skill could you work more to develop?
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In this special episode we are joined by Mark Karnowski and Tom Evans, who hold senior roles in delivering Legal Project Management services for international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, and Robert Dudley, Head of Employability & Engagement at The BARBRI Group. We explore the expanding career opportunities in “Legal Project Management”, the skills needed, and why this is a fast-growing area in both law firms and the in-house legal teams of their clients.
In this episode, Mark and Tom speak about what “Legal Project Management” (or “LPM”) is, and how the need for firms to deliver this LPM service arose from the greater client demand for efficiency and pricing certainty after the Financial Crash in 2007-09. Mark and Tom explain how this is a fast-growing area of practice, relevant to different practice areas, from Banking and Corporate to Litigation. Our guests explain how you can build a career in LPM from different career backgrounds ranging from being a lawyer, to accountancy or management consultancy, and the graduate programmes in law firms in “Legal Operations” which offer you the chance to develop a career in LPM. The differences between LPM roles in law firms and in-house legal teams are also discussed.
The episode then considers the skill-sets which are important for LPM, highlighting core capabilities such as organisation, project management and attention to detail. Also, our guests emphasise the need for high levels of emotional intelligence, managing and negotiating with one’s busy stakeholders, adaptability as projects you are managing evolve and change, and a need for resilience and being able to manage tight deadlines.
Actions and resources for listeners:
· Check this webpage and read one of the “how we are helping out clients” stories – what skills would the legal project managers need to deliver really well on this project?
· See this summary of the importance of legal project management to in-house legal teams. How do you own skills match with those highlighted there? -
This episode explores working life in the hybrid world, it’s effect on the skills apprentices and trainees need to develop and the impact on employers, staffing and legal issues. Kerry Jarred is joined by Imogen Reseigh, a managing associate and trainee supervisor in the Employment and Pensions team at Trowers & Hamlins; and Elisha Wilson a trainee solicitor at Trowers, in her third seat and currently sitting with Imogen in the Employment & Pensions team.
ACAS: working from home and hybrid working
https://www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home-and-hybrid-workingFlexible and agile working
https://www.trowers.com/services/employment-and-pensions/flexible-and-agile-working
Webinar: Future of Agile Working – the Productivity Paradox
https://www.trowers.com/insights/2023/september/webinarfuture-of-agile-working-the-productivity-paradox
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This podcast explores the SQE regime and the impact it is having on diversity in the legal profession. We have recently seen another SQE 1 intake sit their exam, Kerry Jarred talks with Chris White (Founder of the leading legal diversity platform "Aspiring Solicitors ) and Jonny Hurst (Head of Outreach and the Law Marketing lead at BPP) about what are the stats telling us about the success rates so far.
Useful links:SRA | SQE training options | Solicitors Regulation Authority
Choosing the Best SQE Training Provider for You | AllAboutLaw
SQE Courses | Courses | BPP
More useful links:AS page - https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/
BPP SQE page - https://www.bpp.com/courses/law/postgraduate/sqe-courses
Jonny’s SQE TV channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-g2hySyXx3oUjpHxkuyaA
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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 -
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 - [email protected].
● 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. -
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
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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 - Vis mere
