What does life really look like after the Bar Course?

In this episode of Conversations with Counsel, John Dove speaks to Alvaro Gutierrez Calero about navigating the challenging period between being called to the Bar and securing pupillage. From working as a legal consultant and solicitor's agent to representing clients in the Employment Tribunal, Alvaro shares how he has continued to develop his advocacy and legal skills while pursuing a career at the Bar.

The conversation explores resilience, practical advocacy experience, multilingualism in legal practice and why every step of the journey can help shape your future career.

An honest and encouraging episode for anyone considering a career at the Bar or looking for ways to strengthen their legal experience.

Criminal barrister John and commercial solicitor Hayley discuss professional ethics in law, why integrity is non-negotiable, what the SRA and BSB mean in practice, and what really happens when lawyers get it wrong.

Also: their ongoing beef with estate agents (unregulated, unreachable, and somehow in charge of the biggest purchase of your life!!)

Plus: barrister vs solicitor envy, career changes into law at 30 or 40, and the hardest parts of running your own business.

Essential listening for law students, aspiring barristers and trainee solicitors.

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Is social media actually worth it for lawyers, or is old-school networking still king?

John and Hayley share what's worked (and what's backfired) for them, plus answer listener questions on practising public speaking solo, their favourite parts of law firm life, and the skills lawyers need for the AI era.

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When should you start thinking seriously about a career in law — and can it ever be too late? John and Hayley map out the real route (and timeline) to becoming a barrister or solicitor, plus tips for building a standout CV. Then: Ask Speed Squad covers first-day-in-court nerves, first jury trials, and the emotional rollercoaster of advocacy.

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Award-winning clinical negligence solicitor Jess Roberts joins John Dove and Hayley Crombleholme to discuss her journey from work experience student to qualified solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors.

Jess shares advice on securing legal work experience, qualifying as a solicitor, public speaking, mentoring, clinical negligence law and building a successful legal career.

Perfect for law students, aspiring solicitors, trainee solicitors, paralegals and junior lawyers looking to break into the legal profession.

AI in Law, Public Speaking Fears & Law Degrees

This week, criminal barrister John Dove and commercial solicitor Hayley Crombleholme discuss the growing role of AI in the legal profession, including recent cases involving AI-generated authorities and what aspiring lawyers need to know.

They also answer listener questions on overcoming public speaking anxiety, whether a law degree is worth it if you're unsure about becoming a lawyer, and which fictional lawyer they'd choose as co-counsel.

Perfect for law students, aspiring barristers, aspiring solicitors, paralegals, trainee solicitors and junior lawyers.

Topics: AI in law, legal technology, public speaking, advocacy skills, law degree advice, legal careers, barrister careers, solicitor careers and legal training

How important is work-life balance in the legal profession?

In Episode 115, John and Hayley discuss the realities of balancing a legal career with life outside the law. From training contracts and pupillage to practising as a solicitor or barrister, they explore long hours, burnout, hobbies, holidays and building a sustainable career.

Plus, John answers a listener question about adapting when a court hearing turns out to be something completely different from what was expected.

A practical and honest discussion for aspiring and junior lawyers.

In this episode, John and Hayley separate Hollywood fiction from courtroom reality.

Do lawyers really shout "Objection!"? Do judges use gavels? Can a surprise witness appear at the last minute and save a case?

Drawing on John's experience as a criminal barrister, we explore some of the biggest courtroom myths seen in films and TV shows and explain how things actually work in England and Wales.

We also answer listener questions on advocacy, pupillage interviews, dealing with pressure, and improving your public speaking skills.

If you've ever wondered what life in court is really like, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, John Dove sits down with Matt Curtis, criminal barrister at Nine Chambers, former Head of Law at BPP, karate black belt, and long time friend of Speed Mooting.

Matt shares his journey from a comprehensive school in the North West to Oxford, pupillage, and 20+ years at the criminal bar, including a fascinating three-year sabbatical in legal education that changed how he thinks about advocacy.

They cover:

- The real difference between prosecuting and defending

- Why your case theory needs to fit in one or two sentences

- How disclosure can win ( and lose) cases

- Why nerves are a sign you're doing it right

- The best (and most overlooked) ways to break into the bar, and

- Achieving a black belt during lockdown

Whether you're an aspiring barrister, a law student, or a practising lawyer, this is a conversation packed with practical insight and hard-won wisdom.

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#CriminalBar #LawPodcast #Barrister #LegalCareers #SpeedMooting #Advocacy #LawStudent #Pupillage

In Episode 113 of the Partners in Crime Podcast, John and Hayley discuss why legal career setbacks are not always the disaster they first appear to be.

From rejected pupillage applications and training contracts to first experiences in court and handling nerves during advocacy, this episode explores the realities of building a career in law and why everything really can happen for a reason.

The episode also answers audience questions on:

• How many attempts pupillage usually takes
• First jury trials
• Courtroom nerves
• Advocacy preparation
• Majority verdicts and jury decisions

Plus, John somehow manages to fit Formula One into the conversation again.

Perfect for aspiring barristers, aspiring solicitors, law students and junior lawyers looking for honest career insight and practical advocacy advice.

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