Awards don’t build resilient firms—clarity, culture, and client value do. This episode, our Host, Emma Waddingham, sat down with Managing Partner Fflur Jones and Partner Owen John at Darwin Gray Solicitors, winners of the Legal News Wales Business Growth Award 2025, to unpack how a simple, shared strategy powered 105% revenue growth for the law firm in two years, without losing the warmth that holds a team together. 

We explore the choices behind the law firm's rise: embracing Welsh identity and bilingual delivery, investing in SEO and public tenders to attract the right work, and expanding services where clients truly need support—from governance to wills and probate.

We dig into the firm's North Wales story: how a commitment to local presence resulting in a strong commercial foothold, how partnerships with Bangor University and sector networks unlocked opportunity, and what’s changing across food and drink, manufacturing and infrastructure. Along the way, we get practical about value and excellence for cross‑border clients—why responsiveness, quality and fair pricing travel better than postcodes—and why Welsh language services are a strategic capability, not a marketing flourish.

In order to understand how Darwin Gray attracted the attention of the Legal News Awards judges and showcased significant growth, Emma asked Fflur and Owen to share how the firm has utilised technology to support its business plans - such as AI in property workflows and the firm's trials with advanced tools like Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel, plus the guardrails needed to protect data, train juniors, and preserve judgement. 

We also look at thought leadership as growth engine: the Governance Wales conferences, a pan‑Wales HR network, and how convening the right rooms leads to meaningful instructions. Through it all runs a theme of growth with purpose—using clear communication, CSR, and steady pacing to scale culture, not just headcount.

Subscribe for more conversations on legal sector resilience, share this episode with a colleague who cares about sustainable growth, and leave a review to tell us how your law firm is adapting and what’s working for you right now.

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

A merger driven by values, not vanity. We sit down with David Hughes, Martin Walsh, and Kathryn Huxter to reveal how KE Costs and Paramount Legal Costs became Peak Costs—and why a people-first, “professional but never corporate” approach can raise standards across legal costs work in Wales and beyond. From authentic culture to practical service design, this conversation explores how specialist support strengthens access to justice and helps firms stay resilient under pressure.

We unpack the real reasons behind the merger—shared values, complementary niche strengths, and a belief that relationships beat transactions. The team lifts the lid on building a remote-first organisation with local presence, showing how flexibility lets them recruit the best people, stay close to clients across Wales, and deliver faster, sharper advice on everything from costs budgeting to recoveries and negotiations. We also dive into training and progression: in-person learning days, expert mentoring, and a forthcoming costs apprenticeship scheme designed to open the profession to people who choose it by design, not by accident.

Expect candid reflections on risk, integration, and independence. The Peak Costs team explains how they kept quality front and centre, why they’re fiercely independent, and how collaboration across the costs community can push the field forward without diluting standards. 

For Welsh law firms navigating fixed recoverable costs, tight margins, and client care demands, this is a blueprint for using specialist costs expertise as strategic infrastructure—not an afterthought. 

Discover what Peak Costs means for your legal team. Visit peakcosts.com

Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. 

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

What if resilience in legal practices had less to do with software features and more to do with people, purpose, and small wins that stick? Our host, Emma Waddingham, sat down with Amy Bruce- host of the Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast and Head of Marketing at Osprey Approach —to unpack what SME firms actually do to grow stronger and smarter without burning out their teams or budgets.

Amy draws on insights from the many podcast conversations she's had with operational leaders, consultants, and managing partners. We explore value-based pricing as a repeatable playbook for any change project, the quiet power of curiosity in legal sales, and why pioneer groups beat top‑down mandates when you need adoption. 

We talk culture that supports failing fast, not failing big—plus the practicalities of building momentum when time and resource feel tight. From thanking referrers to tracking introductions, from aligning partners around purpose and cashflow to making usability and training non‑negotiable, the through-line is clear: resilience comes from human systems that make smart use of technology.

We also look ahead. Fractional expertise is rising as firms bring in seasoned project managers and compliance leads for critical moments. Osprey’s renewed focus on intuitive UX and unlimited training shows why usability outruns novelty. And yes, AI is on the table—but with a grounded approach: clean your data, define narrow use cases, set boundaries, and pilot where quality can be measured. Expect actionable takeaways, candid stories, and a simple challenge: pick one pain point, one pioneer group, and one outcome to prove progress this month.

If this conversation helps you think differently about growth and change, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review. It helps more legal leaders find practical strategies to build resilient, future‑focused firms. 

To hear more from Amy and the Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast, visit https://ospreyapproach.com/empowering-law-firm-leaders/

For more from Legal News Wales, visit legalnewswales.com

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

In this episode of the Legal Sector Resilience Podcast, Legal News Wales Editor, Emma Waddingham, is joined by Angela Hesketh, Head of Market Development at PEXA UK, to explore how digital innovation is transforming property transactions across England and Wales.

PEXA UK, the pioneering platform behind the UK’s first fully digital property purchase, recently secured FCA authorisation and is preparing for its full market launch into sale and purchase transactions later this year. Angela shares her perspective as a dual-qualified conveyancer, discusses why this moment represents a pivotal shift for the profession, and explains how PEXA is working with regulators, industry bodies and law firms to create a more efficient, secure and collaborative property ecosystem.

Together, Emma and Angela unpack:

• What PEXA’ UKs platform actually does and why it matters
• The lessons learned from Australia’s digital property transaction journey
• How Welsh conveyancers can engage early and shape the future of digital workflows
• Practical considerations for firms navigating regulatory pressures, client expectations, and operational change

If you want to understand what the next era of conveyancing will look like—and how to prepare your practice—this conversation is essential listening.

🎧 Listen now and discover how you can get involved.

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

What really keeps conveyancers working until 11 PM? Contrary to popular belief, it's not client onboarding or digital ID verification – it's the messy middle where communication between lawyers becomes a bottleneck. Peter Ambrose, founder of The Partnership and Legalito, cuts through the noise to expose the true pain points in property transactions.

With 15 years of experience running a successful conveyancing firm alongside developing practical tech solutions, Peter offers a unique perspective on why so many technological innovations have failed to deliver meaningful change. "Nothing's changed in the last 10-15 years for conveyancers," he explains, "because most solutions target the wrong problems or demand universal adoption approaches that ignore how lawyers actually work".

The conversation with Emma Waddingham, podcast host & Editor, Legal News Wales, tackles several myths head-on: that lawyers are uniquely resistant to change (they're not – all humans are), that technology should primarily make processes faster (it should reduce risk first), and that increased transparency might compromise legal work (it actually helps manage expectations). Peter shares how Legalito takes a "bridge-building" approach by structuring information without forcing lawyers to abandon their preferred working methods.

This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in property transactions who's frustrated by the industry's current challenges. Whether you're a conveyancer seeking practical solutions, a firm leader weighing technology investments, or a property professional wanting to understand the bottlenecks, you'll gain valuable insights into how the sector can move forward without expecting lawyers to work unsustainable hours.

Ready to see beyond the industry hype and focus on practical solutions? Listen now and discover how a more collaborative, transparent approach to legal technology could transform property transactions.

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

Join us as we aim to unlock the secrets of digital transformation for the legal sector, as our host Emma sits down with Myles Peart, Technical Director at Wales-grown NetSec.
 
Myles sheds light on why digital transformation is not a one-size-fits-all process and the essential role of choosing the right partner to navigate this complex journey. You'll gain an understanding of NetSec's innovative approach and their collaboration with well-known brands, making this episode a must-listen for any ambitious legal practice eager to thrive in a tech-driven world.

This episode also dives into the significance of data security, featuring insights on the role of a fractional Data Protection Officer (DPO) and the necessity of cyber awareness training for global expansion. Additionally, we navigate the intricacies of cloud migration, emphasising both security and cost considerations, and explore sustainable practices like using refurbished technology to reduce costs while maintaining operational efficiency. 

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

The Law Society's Reimagining Justice in Wales 2030’ paper, published in September 2024, highlights serious concerns around ‘legal deserts’, solicitor recruitment and crumbling court infrastructure in Wales, calling for the UK and Welsh Government to take urgent action.

Our host, Emma Waddingham, Editor of Legal News Wales is joined by Eve Pifferetti, Head of Office in Wales and Partner in the Blake Morgan Commercial & Charities team, and a member of the National Board for Wales, to talk through the six key themes of the new paper: access to justice, courts, technology, devolution, the 2030 law firm and legal data.
 
In the podcast, they explore these themes, the specific issues faced by solicitors and law firms in Wales, and their clients, and how the themes form the foundations of the Law Society Wales office campaigns  and policy work to influence the Welsh and UK governments.

To read the Reimagining Justice in Wales 2030 paper and for more information, click here.

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

Are lawyers looking for more than money when it comes to their legal career? Yes, but there's always another reason people move. Law firms in Wales are adding a variety of benefit packages into the mix to attract and retain the best talent. Emma Waddingham, Editor of Legal News Wales and host, sat down with Ryan Price and Rachel Phillips from TSR Legal to hear more and see if there's more to legal recruitment than the pay grade. 

We promise this episode will offer valuable insights, from competitive benefits like enhanced maternity/paternity leave and career progression opportunities to the growing importance of personal well-being initiatives. Ryan and Rachel share their expert perspectives on why financial compensation, while critical, is no longer the sole factor driving career decisions in the legal industry in Wales.

Listen as we explore the fierce competition in Wales, where local law firms are upping their game to match the attractive packages offered by international counterparts. We discuss the innovative strategies these firms employ, such as promoting work-life balance, mental health support, and equitable benefits for all staff levels. This episode reveals the reality smaller firms face in competing with these high standards and how they can still stand out amidst the shifting expectations of legal professionals.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into the evolving recruitment dynamics, highlighting the importance of mutual evaluation during the hiring process. Discover how the shift towards conversational interviews and transparency in salary discussions is reshaping the landscape. We'll also touch on the implications of AI on junior roles and the cultural adjustments firms must make post-COVID-19. Whether you're a law firm looking to attract top talent or a legal professional navigating your career, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples. Don't miss it! 

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

Discover how the Wales office of The Law Society of England and Wales is paving the way for a future-ready legal sector in Wales with Jonathan Davies, Head of Wales. 

Jonathan talks to our host, Emma Waddingham, editor of Legal News Wales, about the ambitious "Reimagining Justice in Wales 2030" initiative, and shares behind-the-scenes details about the extensive policy work and member engagement strategies shaping the future of legal practices in Wales. Learn about the significance of the newly refurbished Cardiff office, and its growing team who are working hard to connect with solicitors in Wales, understand their needs and create valuable engagement opportunities. 

Jonathan also offers a candid look at the Welsh Government's push for justice devolution and the challenges it presents. We discuss everything from the crucial need for improved data collection across the sector to the sporadic use of technology in legal practices. 

Whether you are a member of the Law Society or simply interested in the evolving legal landscape in Wales, this episode promises valuable insights and forward-thinking strategies, and a sneak peak of what’s to follow in the Autumn of 2024.

For more details on the Law Society Admissions Ceremony in Cardiff on the 12th July 2024, and to book your place, click here. 

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.

Conveyancing is known for being a fast-paced, customer-focused area of law, which relies on experience and a whole-team effort. Over the past few years, headlines have focused on wellbeing issues and the impact of new processes and technology for residential property lawyers but what is the reality of a career in Conveyancing in Wales today? In this episode, Emma Waddingham, Editor of Legal News Wales is joined by Hannah Williams and Harry Watson-James from TSR Legal Recruitment to hear what's happening in the Conveyancing market in Wales, the abundance of health and welfare benefits on offer, the many opportunities available in Wales, and more.

For more information and signposting, visit the insights section on legalnewswales.com and use the 'Legal Sector Resilience Podcast' filter.