This week, we sit down with Chrissie Wolfe, legal influencer, content creator, and Partner at Nexa Law, to talk about her unique route into law. We talk about:

• The importance of building your network and broadening your horizons
• Learning resilience through rejection and redirection
• What it’s really like working in medical negligence & cosmetic injury law

Isabel Lightbody - International Arbitration Associate at Freshfields

We catch up with Isabel, an arbitration lawyer at magic circle firm Freshfields, as she shares her international journey into law, from studying abroad and working as a lawyer in Germany to qualifying in the UK through a unique cross-border training setup. Isabel reflects on finding confidence and balance in her professional life, developing self-assurance as a junior lawyer and the importance of maintaining interests outside of work to build a sustainable legal career. We go into detail about the specifics of her role as an arbitration associate, from drafting submissions and conducting cross-examinations to what it's really like to manage long-running cross border disputes.

In this episode of Brief Encounters, we speak to Maris Ologeh, a trainee solicitor at HSBC. Maris shares journey from growing up in Nigeria to starting her legal career in the UK. We discuss how working part-time jobs and doing extracurricular activities gave her a competitive edge when applying for training contracts, the realities of working in-house for one of the world's biggest banks, and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and getting an early start in building a successful legal career.

Joining us this time is Thorrun Govind - The Legal Pharmacist - a dual-qualified pharmacist and solicitor at law firm Brabners.

Thorrun is a former Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a powerful advocate for diversity in the profession. In a wide-ranging and thought-provoking discussion, we cover:

• How Thorrun's healthcare background enhances her legal practice and advocacy.
• The myth that law is only for those with perfect grades or traditional backgrounds.
• The importance of mentorship, staying adaptable in your career, and finding purpose through variety, collaboration, and a passion for public service.

Sharing his journey with us is Walker Syachalinga - An associate at Leigh Day.

Walker talks to us about growing up in Zambia and witnessing first-hand how the law can be a force for justice, why trying out different practice areas during your training contract is key to finding your best fit, and the importance of staying focused on your own path - and not falling into the comparison trap.

Asiyah Randera - Trainee at Staffordshire County Council and emerging LinkedIn influencer.

• On the brink of qualification, Asiyah spoke to us about training at a council as opposed to a law firm, the importance of perseverance and self-belief on the long (and daunting!) road to getting a training contract, and her top tips for deciding what area of law you want to work in.

Jon Gregson - Partner at Weightmans' Employment practice and popular LinkedIn Legal Influencer.

• A longtime partner and prolific LinkedIn poster, Jon spoke to us about demystifying the process of getting a training contract, how to know when you've found the right firm, and about the challenges, both personal and professional, that he faced throughout his career.

In this episode, Peter is joined by Chris Jorgenson, Director of Institutional Partnerships; Odessa Alm,  Manager of International Student Support; and Jasmine Gratton, an alumnus who passed the February 2021 New York Bar Exam preparing with BARBRI. They discuss the US bar exam prep course and the opportunities the course offers UK law students, lawyers and career changers.

In this episode, I speak with BDB Pitmans' Fiona Fleming, Diversity and Inclusion manager, Nicolas Le Riche, Employment partner and training principal, and Virginia Szepietowski, newly qualified trainee in restructuring and insolvency in the Reading office. We discuss the firm's community feel, the recruitment experience and qualifying into a regional office, and the firm's longstanding firm commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

In this episode, I speak with Culture Shift, a UK-based tech for good developer, which creates reporting software for universities and law firms, among others, on anti-harassment, bullying and discrimination within organisations. I speak with Vimla Appadoo, Head of Experience at Culture Shift, and Chelsea Maher, Head of Marketing, about their work at universities, in the legal industry and the importance of D&I in applicant decisions. We discuss Culture Shift’s research report into D&I within organisations in the UK and its meaning for the legal industry. We also discuss what students should ask about a firm’s D&I, and what to look out for.