This episode aims to inspire lawyers to consider diverse career opportunities within the legal and corporate sectors beyond being an in-house or private practice lawyer.  Erica is joined by Hannah Ellwood, the Company Secretary for Barclays Group, to discuss her unique career journey, including her former role as chief of staff and and current role as company secretary to a FTSE 100 company. Hannah elaborates on her day-to-day responsibilities, from advising on corporate governance to organising board meetings and dealing with senior board members and provides insights into how to move into a company secretarial role and the skill set required to be successful. She also shares her personal journey from a senior associate at Clifford Chance to her current position, offering advice on navigating career changes, building resilience, and effectively dealing with senior stakeholders.

Chapters

00:59 Role of a Company Secretary

05:27 Annual General Meetings (AGMs)

12:58 Pathways to Becoming a Company Secretary

17:48 Hannah's Career Journey

23:36 Choosing a Career Path in Law

29:43 Building Resilience and Handling Stress

34:26 Recognising and Leveraging Your Strengths

38:54 Advice to My Younger Self

 In this episode I’m excited to sit down with Mollie Stoker, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Britvic. Mollie has had such an interesting and varied career but what comes across most strongly is her strength combined with her authenticity. She has moved into leadership roles while demonstrating how quiet power can be just as effective as noisy. For anyone wondering how a woman can succeed without sacrificing her femininity, she is a great role model. During the episode Mollie reflects on her early career, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the pivotal choice to move from private practice to an in-house role. She emphasises resilience, emotional intelligence, and the power of coaching in her personal and professional development. This episode offers valuable insights into navigating career transitions, the importance of asking questions and maintaining a positive and energetic leadership style.

01:03 Overview of Britvic and Mollie's Role

07:46 Career Beginnings and Inspirations

15:05 Navigating Career Challenges and Family

26:25 Embracing Humility and Self-Reflection

29:13 The Transformative Power of Coaching

33:41 Balancing Femininity and Professionalism

44:06 Advice to My Younger Self

48:15 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, host Erica welcomes Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of the organisation JUSTICE. They discuss Fiona's career journey from aspiring doctor to a prominent legal professional, her experiences at the criminal bar, and her impactful roles within the Crown Prosecution Service, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service the Ministry of Justice. Fiona talks in-depth about JUSTICE's mission to create a fairer UK justice system, their strategic goals, and the importance of the rule of law. The conversation also touches upon Fiona's leadership style, her thoughts on mentorship, and advice to her younger self. The episode provides insights into the legal profession and emphasises the significance of supporting organisations like JUSTICE to uphold the rule of law and improve the justice system.

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this episode, Erica is joined by her personal trainer, Natalie Liu Roach, to discuss the essentials of staying fit, healthy, and happy, especially for women in demanding careers. They explore the importance of proper exercise techniques, the benefits of both resistance and power training, and the role of diet and nutrition in achieving fitness goals. Natalie shares her journey into fitness, her experiences with bodybuilding, and insights on sustainable training routines. Additionally, they cover the significance of sleep, restorative practices like saunas over extreme cold therapy, and effective strategies for maintaining motivation in one's fitness journey. Key supplements like creatine, omega-3s, and vitamin D are also discussed. The episode aims to educate and inspire listeners to integrate fitness into their daily lives for long-term health and well-being.

Training recommendation summary ​​

https://elhd-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/erica_elhd_co_uk/EYPfNCIACAlBj8K7RrhHiMAB0VSCDWEmPqZkOAyS8STzlA?e=xWUwTK

Dr Stacy Sims podcast

Huberman Lab – Female Specific Exercise Nutrition

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-stacy-sims-female-specific-exercise-nutrition-for/id1545953110?i=1000662955352

https://podcastnotes.org/huberman-lab/dr-stacy-sims-female-specific-exercise-nutrition-for-health-performance-longevity-huberman-lab/

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

Nearly every business or enterprise sets a strategy and writes a business plan for what it wants to achieve over both the short and medium term.  But have you ever thought about employing the same approach to your life and your career?  It’s a really great way to think about what’s important to you and what it is you’d like to experience and achieve over the next 3-5 years and then to set some goals, objectives and milestones for how you’ll take yourself one step closer to those achievements over the next 12 months.  This episode will take you through how to do that using the framework of a Personal Strategy Document. If you’ve listened to any of my previous podcasts you’ll know the emphasis I place on taking time out to think strategically and also to writing things down and there’s no better time to do this than at the beginning of a new year. As part of the process we’ll also look at deeper issues such as identifying your values, needs and strengths as well as areas of potential weakness that you might like to work on.  I also discuss visualisation techniques, progress tracking, and accountability mechanisms to help ensure your progress towards success.

00:42 The Importance of Taking Time Out

05:03 Starting with Your Baseline

11:31 Understanding Your Needs 

17:53 Reflecting on Achievements and Gratitude

22:54 Analysing Your Current Life

24:39 Identifying Weaknesses and Developmental Areas

27:32 Understanding and Applying Ikigai

35:39 Setting SMART Goals and Using the GROW Model

42:18 Maintaining Motivation and Accountability

 Personal Strategy Document

 Values, Needs, Strengths Spreadsheet

 Goal Setting Template

For your goals you might also like to have a go with this Chat GBT link from Mind Valley

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-675f2f2cd4e88191af9c72bdeb1092a1-goal-analysis-gpt-by-mindvalley

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division Podcast, host Erica welcomes Susan Cooper, founder and CEO of Accutrainee. Susan shares her journey from a lawyer to an entrepreneur, highlighting how her company revolutionised the legal training landscape in the UK. Accutrainee was the first non-law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to offer training contracts, providing flexible and diverse opportunities for aspiring solicitors. Susan discusses the importance of resilience, innovation, and adaptability in her career path, while also sharing insights into overcoming challenges, dealing with imposter syndrome, and securing investment for her business. Tune in to hear Susan’s inspiring story and vision for making law more accessible and inclusive.

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, I discuss strategies for dealing with being told off at work, drawing from personal experiences and psychological insights. The podcast breaks down the situation into several phases, offering practical advice on immediate reactions, processing emotions, formulating plans to resolve issues, and analyzing feedback constructively. The episode also touches on understanding the critic’s perspective, handling ongoing ruminations, and addressing potential workplace bullying. Listeners are reminded that a single mistake does not define them or their value.

00:44 Understanding the Impact of Criticism

04:22 Immediate Reactions to Criticism

09:49 Venting and Processing Emotions

12:48 Analyzing and Learning from Feedback

20:19 Strategic Response and Relationship Management

26:33 Dealing with Unjustified Criticism and Bullying

28:36 Recap and Final Thoughts

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this comprehensive episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, listeners are introduced to the diverse journeys and insights of Millie and Anastasia, a trainee solicitor and paralegal at the beginning of their legal careers. The discussion covers pivotal topics such as the motivations behind choosing a career in law, the academic and application processes, and effective strategies for navigating career fairs and law firm applications. The speakers offer practical advice on creating tailored applications, leveraging resources like Legal Cheek and LinkedIn, and maintaining organised application records. They also delve into the emotional resilience needed to handle rejection and the importance of persistence. Further, the episode explores the varied educational routes to becoming a solicitor, including insights into the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Millie and Anastasia share their experiences with online and on-campus studies, the challenges of balancing work with exam preparation, and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks. Listeners are encouraged to utilise prep courses, and practice tests, and maintain their commitment to succeed in the legal field.

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

This episode from the Women's Room - Legal Division with Erica Handling explores the concept of managing the inner voice in one's head, drawing insights from yoga, psychotherapy, and notable figures like Viktor Frankl and Marisa Peer and. It discusses the primal needs for connection and aversion to rejection, the evolution of human consciousness, and how the mind reacts to imagined scenarios. Erica delves into techniques for reframing thoughts, emphasising self-kindness, and utilising tools from cognitive behavioural therapy and Steve Peters' Chimp Paradox to manage emotional responses and enhance well-being.

Steve Peters and the Chimp Paradox

Chimp Paradox Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644?i=1000596006911

Original book

https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/

Great videos and podcasts if you sign up for free here

https://thetroop.chimpmanagement.com/join-the-troop/

Marisa Peer

Tell Yourself a Better Lie

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tell-Yourself-Better-Lie-Transformational/dp/B09P9NLPNR/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=167740331744&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZrHnLwUPI6aenClQVniPnZCZpheSH3SqdKSWcpaaXzBJHVov_-rsW81Mq__yi2Tqh7TUclYbbq0TR5ZBsyU9Be6OKzDOm36ti8BDPi7mchgk2mBd-Lm8AW6Hvme0GMnGWaao2dSqlCTy85UlBCQ0NofXTql9R0gTYUSa9zw0eCSzkxBiQrQxXD2yWfC-MdtZm1HPeEu0qxNNu9WDYMvmzqmhAn3heU0ffwDTOelHr-o.nH_dWjLvxgVZSm4LjimI74omKotSjgicJy8pTPF29ZY&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=696436317080&hvdev=c&hvexpln=69&hvlocphy=9045999&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=13891938997689085164--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13891938997689085164&hvtargid=kwd-345567745084&hydadcr=11863_2379546&keywords=marisa+peer+books&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729066133&sr=8-2

Ultimate Confidence

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Confidence-Secrets-Feeling-Yourself/dp/1847441386/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=167740331744&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZrHnLwUPI6aenClQVniPnZCZpheSH3SqdKSWcpaaXzBJHVov_-rsW81Mq__yi2Tqh7TUclYbbq0TR5ZBsyU9Be6OKzDOm36ti8BDPi7mchgk2mBd-Lm8AW6Hvme0GMnGWaao2dSqlCTy85UlBCQ0NofXTql9R0gTYUSa9zw0eCSzkxBiQrQxXD2yWfC-MdtZm1HPeEu0qxNNu9WDYMvmzqmhAn3heU0ffwDTOelHr-o.nH_dWjLvxgVZSm4LjimI74omKotSjgicJy8pTPF29ZY&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=696436317080&hvdev=c&hvexpln=69&hvlocphy=9045999&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=13891938997689085164--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13891938997689085164&hvtargid=kwd-345567745084&hydadcr=11863_2379546&keywords=marisa+peer+books&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729066159&sr=8-6

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

In this Women's Room Legal Division podcast episode, Erica welcomes Tessa Khan, founder and CEO of Uplift. Tessa shares her inspiring journey from a commercial law solicitor to an international climate change lawyer and campaigner. She discusses her early influences, including her experiences with high school debating and meeting a human rights lawyer who significantly impacted her career direction. Tessa also talks about the establishment and mission of Uplift, a research and campaigning organisation focused on transitioning away from oil and gas production in the UK. She shares insights into climate litigation, the importance of addressing climate change from a human rights perspective, and her experience in various roles advocating for social and environmental justice. Tessa offers valuable advice on taking risks, staying true to one's values, and navigating public advocacy.

Chapters:

01:52 Tessa's Early Life and Path to Law

08:25 Initial Legal Career and Shift to Human Rights

14:53 Focus on Women's Rights and Climate Change

32:22 Reflecting on Career Transitions

34:38 The Role of Coaching in Career Decisions

37:45 Navigating Public Advocacy and Media

46:18 Thoughts on Climate Protests

51.47  Key strengths

55.13  3 pieces of advice to younger self

Link to Uplift

https://www.upliftuk.org/

 Link for Toastmasters

https://www.toastmasters.org/

Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division:

• LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true

• YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division

• Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/

I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about

Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/

• any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facing
• any topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, or
• if you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast

https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/