Reimagine Law

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 externally and internally, is highlighted – and also the need, above all, to keep calm under pressure given the fast-moving nature of a chamber’s business.  Kazia, Poppy and William all talk about the skills needed for the clerking role: an ability to manage the group of barristers in chambers, the flows of potential cases for them, and how they needed often to think about the strengths and career goals of different barristers to guide their decisions as a clerk in terms of which barristers should be offered different cases.  Changes in the work of clerks, with the move to digital records and paperwork, is also described.

The career progression of a clerk is discussed, and also the increasing amount of management work which now takes place in a barrister’s chambers, and how the clerk has become a key person in this activity.  Skill-sets to succeed in the clerking role are highlighted, including the importance of staying calm, and the critical need to be able to build relationships with both senior and junior colleagues, and court administrators.  The impact of clerks doing all these tasks well is described, showing how this allows your chamber’s barristers to maximise earnings from a case, and can remove the administrative load from barristers themselves, thus enabling them to focus on their advocacy.

We are extremely grateful to the generous sponsorship of BPP University and International Law Firm CMS which makes the continued production of the podcast possible.

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Do an internet search for a barristers’ chambers.  Pick a chambers and look at the clerking or Practice Manager roles listed there.

·         Look at the website for the Institute for Barristers’ Clerks, in particular the compliance obligations of clerks.  What does that tell you about the role, and how this might match your skills and strengths?

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-founded the “Law Students for Climate Accountability” initiative in the US to highlight the role lawyers can play on key environmental issues.
 
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-founded the “Law Students for Climate Accountability” (LSCA) initiative in the US to highlight the role lawyers can play on key environmental issues. 

Flora talks about how a barrister’s work can focus on different aspects of environmental law, and the actual role a barrister can play in cases – including understanding important technical areas of environmental law, and discussing scientific findings with expert witnesses.  The challenge of the “cab rank” rule is considered, where barristers are under an obligation to offer representation to clients to enable access to justice, where climate-related ethical issues may arise from representing certain individuals or organisations.  Flora talks about the skills you use in such work, the importance of good research and questioning skills, and the need to have the confidence to challenge senior experts.  The work of LVF in running education sessions is highlighted, with topics ranging from climate litigation to “greenwashing” by corporations.

Camila speaks about what led her to be one of the co-founders at Yale Law School of the LSCA initiative, now active across the whole US.  The disconnect between the rhetoric of law firms and their actions is explored, including how the group has put together an annual “Scorecard” to measure the performance of different law firms on climate-related issues – and also invites students, law firms and their clients to make a pledge on how they are contributing positively on climate-related issues. 

Camila discusses the purpose of publishing this information, including the goal of empowering students to consider for which organisations they may like to work, and encourages students to remember what brought them to law in the first place as a field of study – remembering to keep their “Why?” and purpose front of mind as they build their careers. 

Actions and resources for listeners:         
Read the UK “Carbon Circle” report from the Law Students for Climate Accountability – what does this tell you about the Legal Industry’s ties to the Fossil Fuel Industry?
Also look at the organisation’s latest “scorecard” for how major law firms rank in their activities related to fossil fuels: https://www.ls4ca.org/scorecard.         
Follow the “Legal Voices for the Future” LinkedIn page to learn about their work, and recent knowledge sessions they have run.  

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 financial services sector, on how technology and managing data can solve business problems, are discussed – in particular how seeing the broader commercial picture is important for your clients and also how legal expertise fits into these broader business needs.  The episode also talks about the learning habits which Katie has found important build early in her career: a curiosity and keenness to learn, being willing to “jump in at the deep end” and try new projects, the importance of collaboration across different disciplines, and especially of developing the ability to keep a “business mind” and to see law within its context.  Also Katie talks about the importance of recognising your own progress and achievements at all stages of your education and early career, and staying focused on maximising the opportunities in front of you to develop your own, unique path. 

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Look at these “10 important lawyer skills – and how to develop them”. 
·         Give yourself a score against each of them.  
·         What is one strength to build on, and which one could you usefully spend more time on also?

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 and qualify as a lawyer, and then applying this knowledge back in the financial services sector.  Also, Akber reflects how critical it was to work across the functions of a business to understand one is solving not just for legal problems, but business problems that just happen to have a legal component to them, using data and technology.
 
Akber explains the importance of following one’s passion, being curious, and of understanding the broader principles of one’s area of expertise: challenging and asking “Why…?” things are done in certain ways, to drive better approaches.  In the discussion Akber also explores the cultural differences he noticed between sectors such as law, banking and technology. 

In particular, how does innovation happen?  How comfortable are people with “failing”, so that learning from initial attempts at a new solution are welcomed and celebrated, helping an organisation reach to an optimised and more efficient outcome. 

Key skills Akber highlights include the importance of understanding the “root cause” of challenges, and also remaining sharply focused on the business, rather than the legal problem, in creating value for one’s clients. Collaborating across functions and building one’s own multi-disciplinary expertise to support one’s career choices are also highlighted. 

Actions and resources for listeners:
       
Look at these insights into technology and law, and read one which interests you – and for all you studying currently, into which modules and assignments can you connect some of the insights?

Look at the transferable skills from the world of Computer Science.  Which of these are important to develop in the legal sector, to help clients to solve their business (not just legal) challenges?  

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 be exploring the professional behaviours and mindsets needed to set you up for success as a lawyer.

Our guests today are:

Charlotte Wanendeya - Head of Law at BPP University, Holborn Centre London, with 25 years’ teaching and module leading experience across a range of knowledge and skills areas. An accredited Mediator, Charlotte qualified as a solicitor at Clifford Chance and committee member of the City of London Law Society Training Committee.

Nigel Jamieson – Head of Law at BPP University, Leeds.  Previously a solicitor specialising in criminal law since 1995, and also a Higher Courts Advocate from 2011.  Nigel also qualified as a Barrister in 2015.

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

• The importance of seeking input from different people and teachers on the university & apprenticeship routes, and the impact good research has into making the best decision on which of those options is right  
• How to set up for success in the recruitment process
• Why as a parent the solicitor apprenticeship is a win-win and the positive impact it has

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

Apprenticeships: What Parents Need to Know: https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/advice/apprenticeships-parents

Apprenticeships: Support for Parents and Guardians: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/support-for-parents-and-guardians# 

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.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/blogs/keeping-close-supervising-and-mentoring-trainees-remotely