Amanda Bucklow is one of the UK’s most revered mediators, whose ability to remain impartial, actively listen and understand the underlying issues, personalities and emotions influencing conflicts has helped countless parties generate creative solutions and build peace.

Among her many skills is the way that she blends her very high levels of emotional intelligence with a distinctly commercial mindset to guide discussions in a way that’s informed, realistic and specific.

Amanda is an excellent guide for parties navigating complex conflicts, and she was an invigorating thrill to interview.

She really does have a remarkable approach to problem-solving — and, for me, personally, as a journalist and interviewer, she is one of the most fascinating and informed people that I have spoken to in the past 25 years.

She really is someone who opened my eyes, and hopefully, as a listener, you might experience this, too.

Thank you very much for listening — and wishing you all the best,

Ben.

Are the world’s best lawyers born or made? This concept lies at the heart of my discussion with Tom Wicksteed, Emerging Talent Manager of the exceptional law firm Mishcon De Reya. Tom is one of the most respected legal recruiters in Britain, celebrated for his strategic thinking, high ethical standards, deep understanding of the industry, and his ability to asses how well a candidate’s personality and values align with the dynamic culture of the firm. Learn about the diverse skills and attributes that different legal specialties demand, and how proactivity, adaptability, and a genuine passion for the field play a crucial role in shaping tomorrow’s industry legends.

Thank you for joining The World’s Greatest Lawyer, where my aim is to understand what makes the world’s greatest problem-solvers tick. This episode’s interview is with the incredible Emma Woollcott, Partner at Mishcon de Reya and Head of their Reputation Protection and Crisis Management Team.

For me, her success in her role is proof that she has an attribute that myself and many others aspire to in their own lives: What the writer Ernest Hemingway referred to as having ‘grace under fire.’ It’s the value of maintaining one's dignity, poise, and humanity even when faced with the most harrowing and challenging situations. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the depth of human character.

It was an honour to interview Emma, discuss her career, hear her unique perspectives and learn more about her personal code when confronting challenges with courage and honour while advocating for her clients.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Imagine being a barrister so determined to win for your client in court that you’re prepared to read 350,000 legal documents with your team to ensure that no stone’s left unturned.

But therein lies the majesty and grit of this episode’s guest, Cameron Brown QC — and provides a glimmer of insight into why, just as Coronavirus descended, he was appointed QC.

Yet what specifically marks out Brown during this particular conversation is his candour and humility as an interviewee, as he describes his ascent from his early years representing Death Row inmates in America — to his current reputation as one of the finest barristers working in Britain today.

Tess Bridgman says one of her greatest strengths is constantly asking more questions for further clarity, so that she’s all over the detail. It’s a skill that’s served her incredibly well. The most recent winner of the coveted 'General Counsel of the Year' prize at The Lawyer Awards, she was only 34 years old when she helped rebuild recycling and waste disposal firm Cory Riverside Energy Group into the financially focused business it is today. So how did Bridgman do it? What has she learnt? And what can other lawyers listening learn from someone as hyper-competent as Bridgman in order to raise their own game?

Few people say what they want to be when they’re eight years old, and then stick to it. Karen Holden, founder and MD of A City Law Firm, is the anomaly, and in more ways than one. The epitome of an entrepreneurial lawyer, Holden set up her own practice after becoming disenfranchised while working for law firms that cared more about billing than the welfare of its clients. It proved to be the right decision. She was recently invited to 10 Downing Street to collect an award, and to celebrate her firm being listed as one of the top 100 businesses in the UK. Hers was the only law firm. Here Holden explains how she did it…

Journalist Ben Wilson asks David Walbank QC, “What does it take to become the very best in your field?” Walbank is a force of nature — a criminal barrister who has been described as, ‘possessing a first-class legal mind’, with ‘a command of the court room that is nothing short of awe-inspiring.’ So how did he get to the top? What does it take? And what working habits of Walbank’s could aspiring and existing lawyers emulate in order to fast-track their ascent to Law’s highest peaks?

David Walbank QC explains...

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Journalist Ben Wilson meets top lawyer Rustum Rau, and asks, "How do the best lawyers solve seemingly insurmountably complex problems with ease?" Enter Rau, whose ability to problem solve on such a sophisticated level sees him advise telecoms giant British Telecom as their ‘Legal Director, Major Transactions.’ How can we tap into his knowledge and skill set to up our own game? Please listen on for a very informative, lively, and mist-clearing exploration into how to problem-solve like the guys at the top.

Journalist Ben Wilson meets Professor Gary Born, one of the world’s most revered international dispute lawyers. When one country has a knotty issue with another, Professor Born is the expert they call in to help them find a clear path ahead. With 30 years of experience in this particular field and recently awarded Lawyer of the Year 2020, if anyone is therefore suited to explain what it takes to get to the very top of his industry, it’s him. A partner at Wilmer Hale, with his own lecture series named after him, no matter what your discipline or profession, listen in for a refreshing insight on what it takes to become the best...

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Thank you to my good friend, barrister Sharmistha Michaels, who conceived this idea.