But, Is It Legal?

By TBD Marketing

Whether you’re a legal professional, a LinkedIn enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good story, tune in to But Is It Legal? and join Simon Marshall as he uncovers the stories, tips and tricks of t... more

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FAQs about But, Is It Legal?:

How many episodes does But, Is It Legal? have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.

But, Is It Legal? episodes:

February 06, 2026Using pace as a leadership tool | Ep 36 Jo Farmer
Many firms talk “strategy”; few make space for it. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Jo Farmer (joint Managing Partner at Lewis Silkin) to discuss her playbook for modern firm leadership - pacing decisions, keeping close to clients, rolling out AI with courage, and killing off firm clichés.🎙️
🔥 What's included:
Leadership pace: when to slow decisions so better answers surface.
Strategy vs ops: carving protected thinking time (and using it).
Two at the top: how a joint MP model adds challenge, pace and accountability.
AI that sticks: enterprise-wide Harvey rollout to build a learning culture.
Beyond ROI: why judging AI too early misses the real win-capability.
Next-gen growth: lower chargeable targets so associates learn BD, tech and pricing early.
Differentiate or drift: retire tired taglines; speak to outcomes.
Market moves: rise of super-boutiques as conflicts and economics bite.
Visible leadership: consistent internal comms without chasing virality.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want a candid, usable blueprint for leading a law firm, this episode is for you. Jo brings clarity, practicality and rare transparency on how decisions get made, and how the next generation is being built.

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Jo Farmer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-farmer-3569b62/
Profile: https://www.lewissilkin.com/experts/jo-farmer
👉 Follow Simon Marshall
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
50min
September 04, 2025A Lawyer’s Playbook For Linkedin Success | Ep 35 Pawel Sawicki
Many lawyers lurk on LinkedIn, few turn it into real client work.
In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Pawel Sawicki (Bird & Bird) to discuss his playbook on using consistency, personality, and practical posts to build trust and generate new work. Pawel explains the simple steps that turns quiet views into DMs, and DMs into deals. 🎙️
🔥 What's included:
The pivot: moving from passive scrolling to a repeatable posting habit that compounds.
Three content pillars: practical white-collar guidance, employer branding, and personal passions.
Why “personal” wins: how human posts outperform technical posts and still lead to new work.
DMs to deals: the charity-jersey post that turned into a whistleblowing engagement.
Relationship hacks: meetings that start with shared interests (and end with trust).
Cadence & engagement: 1–2 posts a week, weekdays vs weekends, and never post & ghost.
For hesitant lawyers: play the long game: experiment, reply, comment, build community.
Authenticity vs AI: being human is the edge; be kind is the rule.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want a practical, repeatable ways to turn LinkedIn into a potential pipeline, this episode is for you. Pawel shares tactics, stories, and cadence that convert quiet readers into real clients.
👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Pawel Sawicki
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawel-sawicki-bird/
Profile: https://www.twobirds.com/en/people/p/pawel-sawicki
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
28min
August 28, 2025 Turning Headlines into Resolutions | Ep 34 Joanna Gosling
Former BBC anchor turns mediator. Joanna Gosling (Irwin Mitchell) talks about her new role and fascinating career journey.
In this episode of But is it Legal?, Joanna joins Simon Marshall to discuss listening-first rules, smart pauses, and why many deals land after mediation, women-on-boards lessons for better decision-making, and some of her biggest career moments.
🔥 What's included:
• Leaving the newsroom: From life as a BBC anchor to mediation, and the journey between.
• How she runs a mediation: Listening-first rules, smart pauses, and when to split the room.
• Staying steady: Daily head-clearing habits, reflective follow-ups, and never leaving people stuck.
• When talks stall: Why many deals land after the day and how to keep momentum.
• Women on boards: Key insights, Deloitte’s women on board’s programme and making boardrooms communicate better.
• Big moments: Announcing Queen Elizabeth II’s passing live and anchoring the handover to King Charles.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want a practical guide to moving mediations from deadlock to settlement - this episode is for you. Joanna brings clear, field-tested tactics on listening, pausing and momentum, women-on-boards insights, and a rare look into life as news anchor, covering some of the biggest moments in history.
👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Joanna Gosling
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-gosling-8a54aa224/
Profile: https://www.irwinmitchell.com/our-people/joanna-gosling
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk

...more
25min
August 20, 2025Building The UK’s Fastest Growing In-House Legal Community | Ep 33 Ben White
What happens when you swap billable hours for a movement? In this episode of But is it Legal?, Simon Marshall sits down with Ben White (Crafty Counsel) to learn how a small idea became the UK’s fastest growing in-house legal community, and where it’s heading next…🎙️
🔥 What's included:
The story so far - Leaving Clifford Chance to founding Crafty Counsel, and the in-between.

Events that work - “Stadium buzz, dinner party feel,” neuro-inclusive touches, and yes… the silent-disco headphones.

Keynotes that hit - Post Office’s Lee Castleton, Zelda Perkins, Jordan Breslow and why ethics lands.

Going continental - Crafty Fest Europe (Amsterdam, 2nd October) at the Heineken Experience + speakers from Unilever, Rio Tinto, Mastercard, Mollie and PopHouse to name a few.

New-market playbook - Crafty Locals meetups and brand-building beyond the UK.

Boutique x AI - Why focused firms that pair human judgment with AI could change the industry.

What’s next - Crafty Week (FinTech Day, Disputes Day, Legal Tech Buyers Club) and early US moves…. watch this space.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want the inside track on where the in-house community, legal events, and AI-shaped service models are headed, and how to build legal networks that actually move your career forward - this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Ben White
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-white-33b79032/
Crafty Counsel: www.craftycounsel.co.uk
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
44min
July 31, 2025Building a Generation of Financially Savvy Lawyers | Ep 32 Carla Hoppe
Building a Generation of Financially Savvy Lawyers | Ep 32 Carla Hoppe 🎙️
Lawyers can recite law in their sleep, yet many admit they’ve never learned the basics of financial management. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Carla Hoppe, the founder of Wealthbrite, for a straight-talk conversation on money mis-education in the UK. Carla reveals how Wealthbrite equips lawyers, from trainees to partners, with the practical tools to save, invest, and build real wealth.🎙️
🔥 What's included:
Money & mental health - “Money is still the number one cause of stress and anxiety in working adults in the UK,” yet the profession “still doesn’t talk about it enough.”

Why lawyers stay silent - Fear of judgment, salary secrecy, and keeping personal finances off-limits at work.

When private pressure turns into firm-level risk - Falsified expenses, padded timesheets, and chasing bonuses.

The u-curve of financial stress - Survey data shows that peak stress is felt at the start of people’s careers, eases, then climbs again at 10 years plus PQE.

Misinformation minefield - Viral social media videos which provide advice that can lead to fraud without a single disclaimer.

Next-gen fixes - A new “Keep the Change” community where partners, senior associates and juniors answer questions anonymously, and why 15-year-olds talk about it more openly… they don’t have any shame.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want to see how money stress is quietly reshaping the UK legal profession, and how to protect yourself and your firm, this episode is a must. Carla offers clear, practical insight on what needs to change, financial risks, and building a safer, smarter money culture through her Wealthbrite community.

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Carla Hoppe
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlahoppe/
Wealthbrite: https://www.wealthbrite.co.uk/
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
40min
June 05, 2025Re-wiring the Legal Career Playbook | Ep 31 Alana Tart
Re-wiring the Legal Career Playbook | Ep31 Alana Tart 🎙️
Feeling boxed in by the “one-track” legal career? In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall chats with Alana Tart, General Counsel, Executive Coach, Mindfulness Teacher and co-founder of The Mentor Well, a youth-mentoring start-up that helps young individuals to navigate their futures confidently.🎙️

🔥 What's included:
Fractional GC decoded: Why scaling tech companies hire Alana, how she still sits at the board table, and the two myths that stop senior lawyers from making the leap.

Designing bountiful weeks, not 14-hour days: The practical routine that lets her switch from strategy calls to school drop-offs without missing a beat.

Coach vs. Counsel: How mindfulness and emotional-intelligence coaching turbo-charge her contract negotiations (and why “weaponised wellbeing” is a real risk).

Mentor Well: The start-up pairing teens with well-informed mentors: safeguarding rules, data-privacy headaches, and the game-changing impact on Gen Z resilience.

Red-flag culture: Narcissism, gas-lighting & “neck-up” thinking in law firms: what it looks like, why it festers, and the self-awareness fix HR policies can’t deliver.

Rapid-fire truths: The stress habit she’s still kicking, the phrase she’d ban from every lawyer’s vocabulary, and who shouldn’t choose the fractional path.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want to steal a blueprint for building a multi-strand legal career, discover why emotional intelligence, not just technical skills, will future-proof you in an AI-driven world, learn how an innovative mentoring model can safeguard youngsters mental health, and finally ditch the habit of brushing off “soft skills” as mere “pragmatism.”

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Alana Tart
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-tart-771a30/
Profile: https://www.thelegaldirector.co.uk/team/alana-tart/
Mentor Well: https://www.thementorwell.com/
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
28min
May 15, 2025The Hot 100, Devolution & UK Government Reforms | Ep 30 Laura Hughes
Fresh off The Lawyer’s Hot 100 list, Laura Hughes (Browne Jacobson) talks about the future of law, government, and everything in between.
In this episode of But is it Legal?, Laura joins Simon Marshall to break down what’s really going on behind the scenes of English devolution, local government reform, and the rise of Combined County Authorities. From advising governments on landmark structural changes to opening Browne Jacobson’s Cardiff office, Laura shares sharp insights on the legal, political, and personal challenges shaping the UK’s next chapter.🎙️

🔥 What's included:
Corporate aspirations to public impact: Hear how Laura found purpose in public law, and why it’s now one of the most politically charged and rewarding legal areas.
The next decade of Public Law: Laura explains why public lawyers are about to be very busy, and how devolution, reorganisation, and funding gaps will collide across the UK.
Behind the headlines: What really goes into creating a Combined County Authority? Laura breaks down the legal, political, and operational side that most never see.
The legal side of devolution: Understand the pressure facing councils, governments, and legal teams trying to implement sweeping reforms without resources.
Opening Cardiff: Discover what it’s like to lead a firm’s expansion into a new region, and why Browne Jacobson’s Welsh office was more than just a postcode.
Hot 100 recognition: Laura reflects on being named in The Lawyer’s Hot 100. What it means to be recognised as a leader, and how she balances big ambition with mentorship and team culture.
Legal heroes & real-world impact: Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg still influences Laura’s leadership style, and how she brings that same focus on equality and clarity to the boardrooms of public institutions.
🎧 Why you should listen: If you want to understand where the UK’s legal and political systems are heading, and what lawyers will need to do to keep up, this episode is essential. Laura brings experience, honesty, and real insight into how big decisions get made behind closed doors.

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Laura Hughes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hughes-solicitor/
Profile: https://www.brownejacobson.com/people/laura-hughes
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
33min
May 01, 2025 Life at the top of a £2bn law firm | Ep 29 Paul Lewis
In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall gets an exclusive look at how Paul Lewis (Firmwide Managing Partner, Linklaters) leads one of the legal industry’s global giants - steering strategy, redefining success, and making a difference.🎙️
🔥 What's included:
Redefining leadership: Paul breaks down what it really means to manage a global law firm, from boardroom decisions to cultural integration across 30+ offices.
The story so far: Hear how an early interest in firm management turned into a leadership career, and the lessons Paul learned from losing and winning elections along the way.
Bold moves & big decisions: Discover how Linklaters decided to exit Russia post-invasion, and what it takes to lead during global crises.
Vision 2035: Paul shares how success isn’t just about profit, it’s about winning the most complex, high-stakes legal work globally.
Ditching lockstep: Find out why Linklaters moved away from traditional partner pay structures, and how that’s reshaping the way big law competes.
Global vs local: Learn how Linklaters balances a single global strategy with regional autonomy, and why clarity of purpose beats micro-management.
What’s next for the Magic Circle?: Paul gives his take on the A&O-Shearman merger, questions the future of the “Magic Circle”.
Law meets impact: Paul discusses Linklaters’ push for social mobility and how the firm is engaging with underserved UK communities.
🎧 Why you should listen: Whether you’re a future leader, legal professional, or just curious how a global law firm operates from the inside, this episode delivers rare insight into high-level strategy, leadership under pressure, and the future of elite legal services.
👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Paul Lewis
Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paul-lewis-aa1b4527
Profile: https://www.linklaters.com/en/find-a-lawyer/paul-lewis
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
41min
March 27, 2025 The Intense Reality of Family Law | Ep 28 Anna Yarde
The Tense Waters of Family Law | Anna Yarde 🎙️
Step into the challenging yet rewarding world of family law with Anna Yarde, a seasoned barrister from Harcourt Chambers. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall looks into how Anna balances intense cases with the delicate nuances of child-related legal cases. 🎙️
🔥 What's included:
Driven by Advocacy: Discover what fuels Anna’s passion for law, particularly her dedication to advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves in high-stakes family disputes.
The Challenges: Hear how Anna manages the intense pressures of the legal profession, from maintaining her well-being to delivering unwavering support to her clients.
Barrister’s Insights: Gain practical advice from Anna on managing the intricate balance of a demanding legal career, ensuring effective case management, and dealing with the emotional weight of family law.
Legal Impact and Emotional Toll: Explore the significant effects that legal outcomes have on families, and how Anna handles the immense responsibility of influencing her clients’ futures.
Legal Landscape Evolution: Engage with Anna’s thoughts on the evolving nature of legal practice, the importance of community support within the profession, and how these factors contribute to addressing mental health and work-life balance for lawyers.
🎧 Why you should listen: Whether you’re a legal practitioner, a law student, or simply intrigued by the human aspects behind legal proceedings, this episode provides a deep dive into the emotional and practical realities faced by a family law barrister.

👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Anna Yarde
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-yarde-6983b5b2
Profile: https://www.harcourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/anna-yarde/
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
37min
March 20, 2025 Jet-Setting Justice | Ep 27 Mahnaz Malik
Bridging Cultures and Courts in Global Arbitration | Mahnaz Malik 🎙️
Step into the intricate world of international arbitration with Mahnaz Malik, a barrister and arbitrator at Twenty Essex. In this insightful episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall learns how Mahnaz handles the interplay of law, culture, and diplomacy in her high-stakes career. 🌍🎙️
🔥 What's included:
A day in the life: Explore a typical day for Mahnaz as she juggles her dual roles in international arbitration, dealing with diverse legal systems and high-profile cases across multiple continents.
Global challenges: Mahnaz reflects on the unexpected difficulties of her career and the intricate balance required to manage her global professional commitments.
Culinary diplomacy: Discover how Mahnaz uses food as a tool to break down cultural barriers and build stronger professional relationships in her international dealings.
Wisdom for the aspiring: Gain valuable career advice from Mahnaz, who emphasises the critical importance of preparation and adaptability in the courtroom.
The power of language: Hear how Mahnaz’s multilingual abilities enhance her work, providing deeper insights into the cultures she interacts with and aiding in more effective communication during arbitrations.
🎧 Why you should listen: Whether you’re a legal professional interested in the dynamics of international law, a student aspiring to enter the field, or simply fascinated by how global professionals have built their careers, this episode offers a rare look into the life of someone at the forefront of international arbitration.
👉 Subscribe now and be part of the conversation that’s changing up the UK legal sector!
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👉 Follow Mahnaz Malik
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahnaz-malik/
Profile: https://www.twentyessex.com/people/mahnaz-malik/
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👉 Follow Simon Marshall
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpaulmarshall/
Website: www.tbdmarketing.co.uk
...more
23min

FAQs about But, Is It Legal?:

How many episodes does But, Is It Legal? have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.