More Than A Lawyer with Holly Cope

There’s a culture in law that no one really talks about. 

The culture of not asking. 

Not talking about money. 

Salary secrecy 

But this silence comes at a cost. 

It can create confusion. 

It can reinforce inequality. 

It can break trust. 

It can keep people stuck. 

Understanding your worth isn’t just about numbers.

It’s about building a life that works for you.

Staying in the dark isn't just disempowering.

It's expens...

So many associates think they’re on the path to partnership…

But they’re not even close.

And no one’s telling them.

Some are chasing an invisible finish line.

Because the steps to partnership? Often they're not written down.

Or the goalposts keep shifting.

 So is it still worth it? 

That depends on one thing: 

Clarity. Clarity from firms. 

Clarity from leaders. 

Clarity for associates to make empowered decisions about their careers.

Because without...

William Peake has built an incredible brand & presence on LinkedIn as a global managing law firm partner.

He’s shown other lawyers that it's possible to show their personality and, dare I say, be "human" on here.

And for his firm?

The results are amazing.

- Everyone knows his law firm, Harneys.

- Top talent wants to work there.

- His posts are talking points at networking events or client meetings.

But how did he get started on LinkedIn? Find out in...

The lawyers building influence on LinkedIn are pulling in business without ever leaving their desks.

They’re attracting ideal clients.

They’re building relationships at scale.

And they’re driving real revenue.

Today’s savvy rainmakers aren’t always the loudest in the room,

they’re the most visible online.

Clients don’t just find them.

They follow them.

This isn’t luck.

It’s leverage.

It’s strategy.

And it’s working.

Find out how...

Are you chasing success, or recreating the stress that raised you?

Because they can look exactly the same. 

Let me explain

You grew up in chaos.

Maybe not dramatic. But unpredictable.

Emotionally charged.

Always on edge.

So you adapted.

Now?

You’re praised for the same patterns that kept you safe as a kid.

Clients love your hustle.

Colleagues call you a machine.

You get rewarded for the very thing that’s burni...

We’re obsessed with time management.

Calendars. Schedulers. 

But what if we’re managing the wrong thing?

Because time isn’t the problem.

You can have an empty day and still feel exhausted.

You can finish early and still feel drained.

The real issue?

Energy.

No one teaches us to manage it.

But it’s the thing that fuels everything else.

So maybe it’s not about how many hours you work.

It’s about ho...

The future of law isn’t just about AI.

Or automation.

Or the next hot legal tech startup.

It’s about people.

Visibility.

Culture.

And the conversations we’re brave enough to have.

In this episode, I'm showcasing the key conversations that are defining the future of law.

Holly Cope & Helen Pamely

The best-kept secret in the future of your law career?

It’s how marketable you are.

Jonathan Watmough

Let me introduc...

AI isn’t coming for lawyers.

It’s coming for tasks.

And here’s the real shift:

If your value is tied only to what a system can do faster,

It’s time to rethink what you’re really selling.

Lawyers who will thrive aren’t the ones who fear AI.

They’re the ones who double down on the one thing machines can’t do:

Trust.

Judgment.

Human connection.

Creative strategy in grey areas.

AI might draft...

You want to do law differently.

But let’s be real, no one’s handing you the blueprint.

You’re told to follow the script:

Bill the hours. Climb the ladder. 

But the moment you want freedom, creativity, or flexibility

It feels like you’re breaking some silent rule.

Here’s what most won’t tell you:

Doing law differently doesn’t make you less of a lawyer.

Today I'm sitting down with Ari Mike Varjabedian, a digital nomad lawyer and now...

What happens when innovation outpaces regulation?

It took 8 months for Garfield the UK’s first AI-driven law firm to be authorised.

Because the law itself hasn’t caught up.

The first hurdle?

A threshold question: Does the SRA even have the power to regulate this?

Find out how the process went behind the scenes in this exclusive interview. This is the first podcast interview Philip has done.

A landmark moment for the legal industry:

The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has officially authorised Garfield...

A landmark moment for the legal industry:

The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) has officially authorised Garfield.Law, the first ever AI-driven law firm regulated to provide legal services in England and Wales.

This isn’t just another firm using AI to streamline admin. Garfield.Law is entirely AI-driven, offering small businesses an AI litigation assistant to recover unpaid debts, guiding them through the small claims process all the way to trial.

I went straight to the source.

I interviewed the founder of Garfield.Law, Philip Young.

An...

Sleep deprivation is costing businesses billions, yet many workplaces still overlook its impact, particularly within the legal industry. 

The legal industry runs on high stakes and high accountability.

Deadlines don’t wait.

Mistakes aren’t an option.

So, sleep? It’s often the first thing to go.

Today, I'm sitting down with adult sleep expert, Maryanne Taylor. She's been featured on Sky News, Channel 4, Channel 5

Maryanne reveals how small shifts can transform the way lawyers sleep boosting energy, focus, and performance.

Find Ma...

The one-sized-fits-all mindset doesn’t work in international law.

Step into another country thinking your way is the only way, and you’ll fail fast.

Success in law isn’t just about knowing the rules—it’s about understanding the culture behind them.

I’ve seen lawyers walk into international markets assuming they can operate like they do at home. They hit a wall. Because legal strategy, business and connections is shaped by culture.

In some places, contracts mean everything. In others, personal relationships hold more weight than a signe...

Taking a career break won’t ruin you. 

But staying miserable might.

Lawyers panic about stepping away.

The fear? 

That a career break means career suicide. 

That law firms will blacklist you. 

That you’ll never make it back.

But here’s the truth: that mindset is outdated.

The real risk isn’t taking a break.

It’s burning out in a system that tells you survival is success.

Today I'm sitting down with Brian Dixon, digital...

Why do some people stay in toxic workplaces?

Because sometimes, it feels familiar.

If you grew up in an unsupportive or estranged family, you might have learned early on that approval and safety come at a cost. Maybe you had to compete for attention. Maybe speaking up led to punishment. Maybe you learned that keeping the peace was more important than being heard.

Fast forward to your career.

You enter a workplace where toxic dynamics thrive, where leaders play favourites, pit employees against each other, or make...

Are we in an AI revolution in law?

Depends who you ask.

Yes, law is complex.

Yes, AI has limitations.

Some lawyers say:

“AI can’t do what I do, it took me years to get here.”

“We’re not feeling the impact yet, and we won’t for a while.”

Maybe. But history tells us one thing: Revolutions don’t announce themselves.

By the time everyone agrees we’re in one, it’s already happened.

Today myself, Holly Cope an...

In a study by the Law Gazette, 28% of lawyers said that their work required them to be available to clients 24/7, while 65% checked emails outside of work hours to stay on top of their tasks.

The legal industry runs on high stakes and high accountability.

Deadlines don’t wait.

Mistakes aren’t an option.

So, sleep? It’s often the first thing to go.

Today, I'm sitting down with adult sleep expert, Maryanne Taylor. She's been featured on Sky News, Channel 4, and Channel 5.

Maryanne reveals how sma...

A firm's culture isn't what it says, it's what it tolerates.

In this episode, I'm spotlighting some of the key leaders in law. We talk about the topic of culture in the legal industry.

This episode features the following people:

Simon Goldberg

Let me introduce you to Simon Goldberg, senior partner of SMB (Simons Muirhead Burton), one of the law firms representing the individuals and families affected by the post office scandal.

Is there tension between making money and being ethical in law and does th...

The criminal trial system isn’t what you think.

It’s about strategy. Performance. Persuasion.

Courtrooms are like a stage. The best argument wins. The most compelling story can sway the jury. 

If you want to know how the system really works, the drama, the high-stakes decisions, and the brutal reality of justice, this episode is a must-listen.

Today I'm sitting down with AX Foster, actor turned lawyer. He started out aiming to be an entertainment lawyer, but once he discovered criminal law, he was hooked.

AX Foster spe...

Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s a cultural failure.

And the worst part? By the time you feel it, it’s already too late.

Because burnout doesn’t hit like a breakdown. It creeps in quietly:

You stop feeling proud of your work.

Small tasks feel overwhelming.

You start to wonder if you even care anymore.

The problem isn’t that lawyers can’t handle pressure.

So, what’s the way out? It starts with rethinking success.

Because a la...

In a world where AI can process data faster and more accurately than any lawyer, the true strength moving forward is in the people behind the law.

The future of law is about human connection. AI can’t replicate empathy, trust, or understanding of what makes us human. 

In this new era, your uniqueness is your competitive advantage.

Today we're sitting down with Rich Fox Fractional GC and Senior in house Legal Consultant we talk about where the future of law is heading and how to future-proof yourself. 

Find R...

Today I'm talking with the founders of the largest legal innovation conference in Northern Europe, FutureLaw:

Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov.

This is a place where legal, tech, and business meet on equal ground.

Where discussions aren’t just theoretical but global, practical, and forward-thinking.

The first FutureLaw conference began in 2023, bringing together leaders from the Nordics, the Baltics, and beyond.

By 2024 it had become truly international.

Over 40 nations.

World-class speakers from Asia to America.

And 2025 is set to be bett...

Stress in law isn’t just part of the job, it’s built into the culture.

Deadlines. Client demands. Billable targets. It’s easy to believe that stress is something external, something that happens to you. But stress isn’t just about the job. It’s a biological response.

This episode is part of a new mini-series on wellbeing in law, while the demands of the industry aren’t changing overnight lawyers have to rethink how they can navigate them.

And no, this isn’t another “just meditate and take breaks” kind of conve...

For a long time, success in law has been narrowly defined, making partner, climbing the corporate ladder, and sacrificing personal life for billable hours.

But what happens when women in law decide to rewrite that definition for themselves?

In this episode, I am spotlighting the stories of women who walked away from the traditional legal path, not because they couldn’t hack it, but because they chose something different.

Something bigger. Something that aligned with their version of success.

Helen Pamely

Let me introduce you to...

How do you balance culture with profitability without losing both?

Younger lawyers aren’t following the same career paths as before. They want flexibility, purpose, and a future that isn’t just about billable hours. some are more entrepreneurial, others are more willing to walk away, and many are less tied to the outdated idea that partnership is the ultimate goal.

And yet, law firms are still clinging to the same structures.

In this conversation, we sit down with Jonathan Watmough award-winning former city law firm managing partner and author of 'How...

Gen Z could transform the future of law.

Yet, many law firms struggle to attract and retain this generation of lawyers.

The reason? 

Rigid hierarchies, endless hours, toxicity and outdated processes can push them away. 

But when motivated the right way, they can bring innovation, efficiency, and fresh perspectives that law firms need.

the next generation isn’t the problem. They’re the solution.

In this conversation, we're sitting down with Natalie Thomas legal business analyst at Perkins Coie.

She went f...

The secret weapon most lawyers overlook?

It’s not just technical skills. Not just experience.

It’s cultural intelligence.

The ability to navigate different perspectives, understand global nuances, and adapt to unfamiliar environments. And in an industry that’s becoming more international by the day, it’s the difference between stagnation and opportunity.

Think about it: The best lawyers aren’t just great at the law.

They’re great at people.

They build relationships across borders, decode unspoken cultural expectations, and know how to turn differences into...

We're running a 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀. Doors CLOSE 31st JANUARY 2025

⭐ 𝟯 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

(profile optimisation, writing killer posts, and landing your ideal clients)

⭐ 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗤&𝗔 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

⭐𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻

Join here: https://vist.ly/3mt5vif

Lawyers: Stop chasing clients – start attracting them

Here’s the truth: convincing a company to drop their long-standing lawyer and switch to you?

It’s an uphill battle.

Lawyers often sit in a place of trust built over years, and getting clients to jump ship is no small feat.

But here’s the good news:

You don’t need to “poach” clients.

Instead, focus on making yourself impossible to ignore.

You don’t need to compete with other lawyers for clients, you just need to out-position them.

Focus on building trust, authority, and relationships. When clients decide to make a change, they’ll already know who they’re calling: you.

The only skill that matters now is marketing. But you need to prioritise becoming a good lawyer before you become a good marketer.

Success as a lawyer isn't about being the smartest person in the room. You need to think like an entrepreneur and act like a marketer, being great a law is now just a baseline requirement.

Most lawyers get years into the profession and realise they have to be a great sales person as well as a great lawyer.

In this episode, Brandon Renken, trial partner at Mayer...

We're running a 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀. Doors CLOSE 31st JANUARY 2025

⭐ 𝟯 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

(profile optimisation, writing killer posts, and landing your ideal clients)

⭐ 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗤&𝗔 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

⭐𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻

Join here: https://vist.ly/3mt5vif

LinkedIn is the most underrated tool for lawyers.

You’re not taking full advantage.

Think about it, in law, we need to:

-Build trust among clients & other professionals

-Position ourselves as the experts

-Network

It’s much easier when you have a platform that can do this AT SCALE for you.

As lawyers, we often hear the same advice: network, build your reputation, and let your expertise speak for itself.

But let’s be honest, traditional networking has its limits.

And relying solely on word-of-mouth feels outdated in 2025.

Enter LinkedIn: the ultimate game-changer.

This platform isn’t just about hav...

One of the most common questions lawyers ask us is: how do you build a personal brand on LinkedIn in a professional and authentic way that won't get me fired. Today we're sitting down with William Peake, the global managing partner of Harneys, an international law firm.

He explains how and why he started posting on LinkedIn, why it's great for business and law and how lawyers can build their own personal brand on the platform without being controversial.

We also discuss how leadership can step up to make law a better place.<...

Lawyers are notoriously risk averse. We're trained to avoid risk, but it can hold us back in our career and personal life. Sticking to safe roles, or staying in roles that don't serve us. sometimes avoiding risk can be the riskiest move of all.

Today Holly Cope and Helen Pamely are chatting with Kristian Bradshaw. Kristian is a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, specialising in project development, project finance and M&A transactions in the energy and infrastructure space.

Find out more about Kristian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianbradshaw/

Negotiation is a critical skill for every lawyer. It’s about more than deals, it’s about building trust, listening deeply, and creating win-win outcomes.

Effective negotiation shapes results, strengthens relationships, and drives success.

Master it, and you’ll lead the conversation.

With over 25 years of experience in IT and telecommunications, John is a seasoned leader and expert negotiator, having successfully led multi-million-dollar contracts and complex projects. He’s built high-performing teams, driven organisational transformation, and facilitated process redesigns.

A skilled entrepreneur and international speaker, John brings a wealth of exper...

Bradley Collins, the CEO and co-founder of Legal Tech Talk is in the process of building the world’s largest legal sector conference - with the aim of becoming the #1 catalyst for transformation and positive change in the legal world.

Today we are picking his brain about how he is creating HUGE change in the legal sector, with hundreds of speakers attending Legal Tech Talk from the world's top law firms and legal tech companies. We chat about how he's building the event, how he managed to get key lawyers and people of influence in the in...

🎙️I'm uncovering my LinkedIn secrets in the latest “Talking Deals With David” LinkedIn Live conversation with the amazing David Edgar M&A partner at K&L Gates.

Learn how to sell anything through the art of persuasive writing - ie: copywriting.

I tell David how I grew my podcast through the power of words.

This is what me and co-host Helen Pamely are always talking about.

Join our newsletter for free here:

https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/NdGECo8l8fcRvNgQL7LR

We've com...

Law firms that treat law as a business will thrive.

It’s time for the legal industry to evolve.

The entrepreneurial mindset isn’t just for startups, it’s the future of law firms.

Today we're talking with Ian Bagshaw. Ian, an unstoppable force in the legal world, his career includes being the Co-Head of Private Equity at Linklaters and global co-head of private equity at White & Case.

After retiring from law, he's back as the London Office Managing Partner of Perkins Coie.

Beyond his legal career...

Law has long been a profession reserved for the elite, a space dominated by privilege and wealth, accessible only to those with connections or means. But the industry is shifting, and the gates are opening.

Now more than ever, what sets you apart isn’t just technical expertise or prestige.

In this conversation I'm talking with Patrick McCann director of learning at Linklaters, training committee chair of the City of London Law Society and co-CEO of City Century designed to empower students from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in law they may ha...

We have created a LinkedIn starter pack for lawyers.

It's interactive, it's filled with all of our knowledge about leveraging LinkedIn to become a thought leader, win clients, and make connections.

It's your ultimate guide.

Here it is:

Your LinkedIn Start Pack

https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-starter-pack-for-lawyers/

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We're Helen & Holly.

We do expert marketing for lawyers and law firms. 

Helen Pamely, a former Magic Circle lawyer and law firm partner, and Holly Cope, the world’s #1 legal tech and...

In this special episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes to share conversations and moments that didn’t make the final cut. 

Here's your VIP pass to the creative process, how episodes come together, the decisions we make, and the stories we almost didn’t tell.

This episode is for you if you’re curious about the craft of podcasting, or you want a deeper connection to what goes into making this podcast. It’s raw, unfiltered, and something we don’t usually share. But today, you’re invited to step into the room where...

You can’t outsmart AI in law. So do this instead.

People panic about AI taking over. They worry they’re being replaced.

Hoping their jobs will be safe. But here’s the truth: AI will never replace what truly sets you apart.

Your unique blend of expertise, empathy, and judgment.

It's the human connection.The trust you build.

The way you solve problems in a way no machine ever could.

And when you lead with that? No AI update can touch your value.

Star...