Reimagine Law

In Part 2 of this special episode we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, a UK Accredited Mediator and Consultant Solicitor in England & Wales, expert in company law and sustainability, based in London and working across Europe.  Dr Tsagas gives a fascinating insight into the use of “mediation” as an alternative legal route to settling disputes.  We discuss what mediation is (and isn’t), why clients use this dispute resolution method, the skills needed, and some practical examples of disputes where mediation has been used.
 
In Part 2 of this special episode we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, founder o...

In this special 2 part episode, we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, a UK Accredited Mediator and Consultant Solicitor in England & Wales, expert in company law and sustainability, based in London and working across Europe.  Dr Tsagas gives a fascinating insight into the use of “mediation” as an alternative legal route to settling disputes.  We discuss what mediation is (and isn’t), why clients use this dispute resolution method, the skills needed, and some practical examples of disputes where mediation has been used.
 
In this special episode we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, founder of GT Mediation...

This episode welcomes Linden Thomas (University of Birmingham) and John Lunney (Law Society of Ireland) to talk us through Public Legal Education and how lawyers can have a big impact in helping the public to improve their legal literacy.
 
The public are all bound by the law but many individuals and groups do not know how the law impacts them and interacts with their every day life.  Public Legal Education seeks to help the public improve their knowledge of, and confidence with the law, rather than providing specific advice on a specific issue.   

This episode expl...

In this special episode we are joined Savvas Skordellis, Trainee Solicitor at Deloitte Legal, who talks about how he developed in interests for technology and its application in legal practice.  Savvas speaks about how he sought out a degree and Masters course which would allow him to specialise in this area, and also the importance of finding opportunities to apply one’s learning in practice, both within a university context and in the workplace. 

Savvas also gives us an insight into his current role, explaining what it is like to be part of a legal team, and have...

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...

 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 f...

In this podcast we hear from the CEO of Clarilis, a market leading technology platform in the sector, who shares insights into:

Plus of course tips on both routes into legal technology and how to know if it...

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 Resou...

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.   

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.U...

 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...

 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 S...

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

Na...

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 pac...

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 help...

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 a...

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...

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 a...

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-working

Flexible and agile working  

htt...

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

...

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 work...

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 cr...

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...

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...

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 ag...

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...

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 o...

In this podcast we share:

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 Bus...

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 externall...

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-fo...

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 financia...

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 an...

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...

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

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

Apprenticeships: What Parents Need to Know: https://www.r...

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...

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 Servi...