The Legal Cheek Podcast is a weekly show covering major issues in the legal sector and beyond. It is hosted by Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, editor Tom Connelly, and writers Nadia Ismail and Saul Agar-Ward, with occasional special guests. Episodes discuss legal news, law firm insights, and events relevant to lawyers and law students. The podcast is independently produced and sponsored by Simpson Thacher.
Episodes
Weil's shock collapse: What's happening to current and future trainees?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/What happens when one of the world’s most profitable law firms suddenly collapses? Tom Connelly, Legal Cheek’s editor, is joined by writer Saul Agar-Ward, as they explore the surprise implosion of Weil Gotsh
The newsy topics that could come up in your training contract interviews this autumn
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/From the AI boom to geopolitical tensions and shifting interest rates, the biggest stories in the news could also be the topics that come up in your next training contract interview.Legal Cheek writers Nadia
Pupillage odds revealed: Do you stand a chance?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Fewer than half of UK bar students secure pupillage within five years of starting their training. With fees rising and success rates varying widely between course providers, should aspiring barristers think
Barrister or solicitor? How to choose the right path for you
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/When it comes to pursuing a legal career, there's no one-size-fits-all approach, with personal interests, strengths and ambitions all playing a part in the decision.Legal Cheek writers Nadia Ismail, a fu
£180K straight out of a TC?! Welcome to the City law pay war
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/The battle for junior legal talent is pushing NQ salaries to new heights.Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down with Legal Cheek editor Tom Connelly to unpack the latest findings from the 2027 Firms Most
Big pay, long hours: What's it really like to pull all-nighters and work weekends as a junior lawyer?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Big salaries may grab the headlines, but what does life as a junior lawyer actually look like day to day?Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down with Legal Cheek founder Alex Aldridge to unpack the finding
Has the SQE just got easier?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/The SRA has announced changes to SQE1, cutting the number of questions from 360 to 340 after candidate feedback that the assessment can feel rushed and pressurised.Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down w
The REAL REASON training contract numbers are falling (clue: it’s not AI - yet)
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thatcher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/ Training contract numbers across 100 Legal Cheek Most List firms have fallen by 2% this year, but what is really driving this decline, and why is it not as dramatic as we may have expected?In this episode,
What to expect on the PGDL
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Starting the PGDL this September? Here's everything you'll need to know!Legal Cheek writer and PGDL graduate Lydia Fontes sits down with events co-ordinator Molly Jamieson to talk all things law conv
Should I do the SQE even though I don’t have a training contract?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Should you start the SQE if you do not have a training contract lined up?Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down with events coordinator Hannah Thompson to discuss her experience of self funding the SQE be
How I landed a pupillage: what every aspiring barrister should know
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Last year 3,912 aspiring barristers applied for pupillage. Only 287 got it.Entry to the bar has never been more competitive, so what can aspiring barristers do to improve their odds?Applying for pupillage ta
What to expect on the SQE — from someone who’s passed it
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/As the new SQE intake approaches, so do the inevitable nerves about what lies ahead.Legal Cheek writers Nadia Ismail and Ryan Scott sit down to discuss what students can expect from SQE1, with Nadia sharing
How to secure a training contract this application cycle
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/ As the autumn approaches, so does the 2026-27 training contract application cycle.Legal Cheek publisher, Alex Aldridge, and writer, Lydia Fontes, share the tips and tricks that will give you the best chance
Is the CPS a good place to start your career as a trainee lawyer?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have just expanded their trainee solicitor numbers by 50% from 80 places to 120.The pay is some way off global law firm levels, and the office will no doubt be less slick
What the lawyer picks in Andy Burnham's Cabinet tell us about the way he will govern
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Andy Burnham’s newly announced Cabinet features three lawyers, a former trainee solicitor who didn’t finish his training contract and a non-lawyer who’s been given the role of Lord Chancellor (aka Secretary
From lawyer to plasterer?! Why do so many quit law?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Over the years, Legal Cheek has reported on dozens of ex-lawyers who have left the profession for something completely different -- heading into the arts, opening restaurants, moving into content creation an
Why Prince Harry’s lawfare was a BIG MISTAKE
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/It's been well reported in the UK media that Prince Harry has been waging war on Britain's press establishment in a series of protracted legal battles fought out in the High Court and beyond.Whilst h
Better together? The hidden headaches of mega mergers
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Law firm mergers are often presented as a neat equation: bigger platform, bigger clients, bigger profits. But behind the slick press releases and carefully worded announcements, the reality of combining two
How did Keir Starmer become a top barrister when he was so bad as Prime Minister?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Stereotypes are rarely fair or accurate. However, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the stereotype of a barrister (charismatic, well-spoken, intelligent beyond compare) is an accurate one. For professi
White collar jobpocalypse? Is AI really going to cut trainee lawyer numbers or might it end up boosting them?
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Currently, the legal press and beyond is full of doom-mongering of a staggering scale — the advent of AI means one thing for sure: your shiny legal career is no longer a dead cert.And as law firms and other
What students get wrong about commercial awareness
The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Commercial awareness. Two words likely to send any self-respecting law student into either psychosis or an interview-induced breakdown. But what if we told you it's really not as complicated as it looks?
S6EP22: How to stand out on a vac scheme for all the right reasons
With summer vac scheme season fast approaching and thousands of solicitor hopefuls gearing up to storm law firm offices across the City and beyond, how can you make the most of the opportunity and secure that coveted TC offer? Legal Cheek brings you the answers…When candidates are so evenly matched on paper, it's often the smallest things that determine whether you walk away with a training co
S6EP21: How best to prepare for law school and the conversion course
Whether you’re a sixth-former aiming for a top university or a graduate considering a career change into law, this episode offers a clear and realistic guide to navigating the path into the profession.This week on The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott break down how aspiring lawyers can best prepare for — and stand out in — the law school admissions process.From supercurriculars
S6EP20: Magic Circle, white shoe firms & the “global elite” — What does it all mean today?
What exactly is the difference between the Magic Circle, the Silver Circle, White Shoe firms and today’s so-called “Global Elite” — and do any of these labels still mean anything in the modern legal market?In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott explore the history and evolution of elite law firm prestige, from the old Club of Nine and the emergence of the Magic
S6EP19: BigLaw’s billion-dollar AI race
The legal AI arms race is well underway. Over the past year, elite law firms have rushed to announce partnerships with the biggest names in legal tech, as firms compete to integrate generative AI into everything from drafting and due diligence to knowledge management and workflow automation. Some firms are partnering with specialist legal AI platforms like Harvey and Legora, while others are pursu
S6EP18: Career Conundrum — “Should I do a law degree, or should I just convert later?”
With the SQE ushering in alternate pathways to qualification, and the non-law graduate to solicitor pipeline becoming increasingly common, there is no longer a single standard route into the legal profession.On this week’s Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott share their perspectives on whether aspiring solicitors should study law at university or pursue another subject and convert
S6EP17: How to nail Watson Glaser tests, assessment centres and the final interview
This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott break down how to succeed in the most demanding parts of the training contract application journey. Drawing on their firsthand experience navigating what can often be a gruelling five-, six-, or even seven-stage process, they share practical insights into what firms are really looking for beyond the written application.The pair d
S6EP16: How to secure a training contract at a top law firm
Securing a training contract at a top firm can feel a bit like a lottery: countless applications, limited offers, and for many aspiring solicitors, the process can seem like luck of the draw.This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Tom Connelly puts future Magic Circle trainee Ryan Scott in the hot seat to unpack how he successfully navigated the application process and landed a role at his dream fir
S6EP15: Revision strategies every law student should know
Exam season is looming and, for law students, that usually means one thing: stress levels are rising and notes are piling higher by the day. But as with most things in law, success often comes down to getting the basics right.This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Ryan Scott and Tom Connelly discuss seven practical revision tips to help you not just survive, but thrive this exam season.From plannin
S6EP14: Why you should care about trainee retention rates
This week on The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Tom Connelly dig into why aspiring lawyers should be paying close attention to this often overlooked stat at their target firms.Retention figures are one of the few hard data points that cut through polished recruitment marketing. High attrition can signal that the reality of working at a firm doesn’t match what was sold during the applicat
S6EP13: Money talks: Inside City law's eye-watering partner pay
The numbers don't lie and when you're earning more in two days than most people make in a year, they don't need to.This week on The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Tom Connelly dig into the headline-grabbing financial results of Kirkland & Ellis, the first law firm in history to break the $10 billion revenue barrier, with profit per equity partner hitting a staggering $11.
S6EP12: Do you have what it takes to be a solicitor apprentice?
The trailblazer apprenticeships have done exactly what it says on the tin – they've set a new standard for routes into the legal profession, and the numbers speak for themselves.This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott discuss the meteoric rise of the solicitor apprenticeship route, its merits and what kinds of students may thrive in this environment.Since its launc
S6EP11: The SQE was supposed to change everything — so why is it so controversial?
This week on The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott are back to take a look at the SQE. First introduced in 2021 as a way to democratise a historically inaccessible profession, the SQE has had a rather bumpy ride, marred by controversies surrounding pass rates, exam difficulty and administrative errors. We take a look at how the SQE came to be, the key differences it has to the LP
S6EP10: Practice area deep dive: Employment law
The latest episode of the Practice Area Deep Dive series turns the spotlight on employment law! Legal Cheek's Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott walk you through what employment lawyers actually get up to, from handling unfair dismissal claims to the role they play in corporate transactions. They also explain the key trends shaping the area right now, including what the Employment Rights Act’s incomin
S6EP9: 7 ways to make your next TC application stand out
As we begin to approach the tail end of this application cycle, many of you may be feeling discouraged by the slew of rejections clogging up your inbox. You feel like you've done everything right, so where is that acceptance email? Ryan Scott and Julia Szaniszlo are back at The Legal Cheek Podcast to give you some tried and tested tips for making your application stand out, from understanding
S6EP8: Practice Area Deep Dive: Corporate M&A
The second episode of the new Practice Area Deep Dive series is taking a look at Corporate M&A! Legal Cheek’s Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott take you through the lifecycle and key documentation of an M&A deal, the kinds of work trainees and lawyers can expect to get involved in and the key trends shaping the area, from deal volume to regulatory scrutiny.
S6EP7: Practice Area Deep Dive: Dispute Resolution
As part of the new Practice Area Deep Dive series, this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast takes a look at the world of dispute resolution. Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott explore what the practice involves, the kinds of work trainees and lawyers can expect to get involved in and the key trends shaping the area, from litigation funding to class actions.
S6EP6: TC interviews: Curveball questions and how to handle them
When preparing for law firm interviews, most candidates rehearse the classics: Why law? Why this firm? But every so often, you’re thrown a curveball that makes you wonder why you bothered preparing at all. In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott unpack some of the weirdest and wackiest interview questions our listeners have faced, from “What kind of tree would yo
S6EP5 : Five commercial awareness themes for 2026
What key commercial themes should every aspiring solicitor know about? Legal Cheek’s Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott return to break down some of the major commercial trends shaping the legal and business world in 2026. Whether you’re still drafting applications or preparing for interviews, this episode explores the topics future lawyers need to understand, from geopolitical volatility and the grow
S6EP4: How legal tech is transforming the way lawyers work
Legal tech is the buzzword on every firm’s lips — and for good reason. From automated contract drafting to AI-assisted doc review, legal tech is rapidly reshaping how legal work gets done. In this episode, Legal Cheek’s Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott cut through the hype to explore how firms are actually using legal tech, what it means for trainees and junior lawyers, and whether robots are really
S6EP3: DO YOUR RESEARCH - How to properly research a law firm
Before you even start writing that next law firm application, you need to do your research! With plenty of vac scheme and training contract deadlines still open, Legal Cheek’s Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott sit down to discuss the importance of law firm research and talk you through the whole gamut of approaches, from just starting out, to navigating firm webpages and the good old LinkedIn reach-
S6EP2: SQE provider pass rates – when will they be published?
Ever since its introduction in 2021, the SQE has been nostranger to controversy. Originally conceived as a way to simplify the pathway to qualification, one of the SRA’s key pledges was a commitment to disclosing the pass rates of individual course providers. However, this promise has been plagued by delays, with disclosure initially set for ‘late 2023’. Legal Cheek’s Julia Szaniszlo and Tom Conne
S6EP1: Merger Madness: Why are so many law firms joining forces?
Big Law is no stranger to major mergers -- many of the most prestigious City firms were formed through international tie ups and partnerships. However, in the past month legal headlines have been hit by a wave of major law firm tie-ups with a distinctly transatlantic flavour. In this episode, Legal Cheek’s Julia Szanislo and Ryan Scott sit down to discuss the proposed deals between Ashurst and Per
S5E13: Is soaring NQ pay impacting trainee retention rates?
The Legal Cheek podcast is BACK! This week we kick off by discussing the recent rises in salaries for newly qualified lawyers. We dig into what this means for the legal industry as well as addressing complaints of "salary bunching" from lawyers further up the food chain.And is this continual rise in NQ pay having an affect of the amount of qualifying trainees that firms keep on? We exami
S5E12: Will AI really replace paralegals?
The Legal Cheek team discuss the aspiring barrister who went viral on LinkedIn for taking his job search back to basics. Is this the new strategy in an increasingly competitive job market? And what is this first-class AI and computer science graduate doing becoming a lawyer in the first place?We also discuss the news that the "Godfather of AI", Geoffrey Hinton, told the Diary of a CEO po
S5E11: Why Hill Dickinson's sponsorship of Everton's new stadium is a genius move
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss the news that corporate law firm Hill Dickinson will sponsor Everton Football Club's new stadium. While critics might call it a waste of money, we explain why it could be a genius bold marketing move.
S5E10: Should aspiring lawyers embrace AI? Decoding the mixed messages
Legal Cheek writers Lydia Fontes and Angus Simpson discuss the mixed messaging around AI, asking whether law students should view the technology as a necessary tool or a risky liability?Articles we discuss:Judge fury after ‘fake’ cases cited by rookie barrister in High Court: https://www.legalcheek.com/2025/05/judge-fury-after-fake-cases-cited-by-rookie-barrister-in-high-court/SRA approves 'AI
S5E9: Should law firms stand up to Trump?
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss the law firms who have struck deals with the Trump administration following the President's hostile executive orders. We explore the options facing associates and partners at these firms and what this will mean for US law firms in the UK.
S5E8: Will DeepSeek get you a training contract?
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss the Bar Council's decision to ban the use of AI tools likes ChatGPT and DeepSeek in pupillage applications. We ask how effective these tools really are for law applications and offer some advice for aspiring lawyers considering using AI to secure their dream career.
Read the story here: https://www.legalcheek.com/2025/01/budd
S5E7: Regional junior lawyer salaries reach record high
The Legal Cheek team discuss the news that Simmons & Simmons are raising their Bristol NQ salary to £96k, setting a record for regional junior pay. We explore how the salary increase will affect the Bristol legal market and what it means for those pursuing training contracts.
Read the story on Legal Cheek: https://www.legalcheek.com/2025/01/simmons-sets-record-with-96k-salary-for-bristol-nq-s
S5E6: The truth about junior lawyers’ crazy hours
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss a recent Reddit thread which reveals the longest days that lawyers have worked. We talk about how common these crazy working days are, the culture that encourages them and what you need to know about yourself before embarking on a career in corporate law.
S5E5: The perils of LinkedIn
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss a recent LinkedIn post in which a law graduate vented their frustration after being rejected from a paralegal position. We ask how law students should approach posting on LinkedIn while trying to break in to the legal profession.
Read more about this story on Legal Cheek:
https://www.legalcheek.com/2025/01/law-graduate-rejected-fo
S5E4: Legal market predictions for 2025
What effect will AI have on junior lawyers? How many trainees will firms take on? Will we see another high-profile law firm merger? Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss what's coming for the legal profession in 2025.
S5E3: Charlotte Proudman's incredible David v Goliath win
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss Dr Charlotte Proudman's victory over the Bar Standards Board as all five charges against her are dropped, the news that three of the allegations against Jo Sidhu have been proved, and the astonishing earnings of first year commercial barristers at top sets.
Read more about these stories on Legal Cheek:
https://www.legalcheek.com/2
S5E2: Do junior lawyers care too much about money?
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss growing salaries for newly qualified solicitors, the upcoming independent review of the SQE and the news that the UK's legal services sector turnover has reached £44 billion.
Read more about these stories on Legal Cheek:
https://www.legalcheek.com/2024/12/big-billables-bigger-salaries-are-junior-lawyers-paying-the-price-for-their-
S5E1: Three legal news stories you need to know about
Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and writer Lydia Fontes discuss potential funding changes for solicitor apprenticeships, Herbert Smith Freehills' proposed merger with Kramer Levin and why criminal barristers are leaving the bar.
S4E1: Law firm applications 101
Saad Khalil and Samantha Wong from Legal Cheek discuss application basics ahead of the law firm application cycle 2024/25, including what 'vacation scheme' means, how to choose the right firms for you and what to look for when researching firms.
S3E4: Legal histories – corporate law from 2016 to the present day
Rounding off our legal history podcast mini-series, Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge and former Allen & Overy corporate partner Alan Paul sit down once again to chat about the legal industry — this time from 2016 to the present day.
Alex and Alan discuss the busy and turbulent seven years, covering events including Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, Covid-19 lockdowns and how this all i
S3E3: Legal histories – The 2008 financial crash
We are back for a third edition of Legal Cheek’s new legal history podcast mini-series!
In this episode, former Allen & Overy partner Alan Paul looks back on his time as a top corporate dealmaker during the global financial crisis of 2007-08 and the chaos that ensued in the years after. In conversation with Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, Alan looks back on many of the factors that led to
S3E2: Legal histories – the transformation of corporate law from 1993 to 2008
In the second episode of Legal Cheek’s legal history podcast series, Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge is joined again by former Allen & Overy partner Alan Paul. Alan looks back on his time as a corporate law star in a period of rapid growth and globalisation for law firms in the City. He walks us from 1993 into the new millennium and through the build up to the historic financial crash of 2
S3E1: Legal histories – corporate law in the 80s
On the first of Legal Cheek’s new legal history podcast mini-series, Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge sits down with Alan Paul, former Allen & Overy partner and corporate law star. Alan reflects on his career journey from trainee solicitor in the late 1970s, during the Winter of Discontent and at the beginning of Margaret Thatcher’s term as UK Prime Minister, to Magic Circle partner by the
S2E3: Social media and studygramming with LucyDoesLaw
If you’re unfamiliar with the BNOCs of law-gram, rest assured that Lucy Cole (also known as @lucydoeslaw) is one of them. With nearly 10,000 followers, the future Clifford Chance trainee is known for embracing Instagram’s Stories, TV and Reels features to share her study and application tips with the masses.
In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Lucy looks back at her studygramming journey s
S2E2: Will lawyers flock to NewLaw in search of greater flexibility?
After more than a year of working from home, the traditional side of the sector seems set to embrace a new ‘new normal’: hybrid working. But will this be enough for lawyers in traditional firms? Or will their new taste for flexibility drive them to NewLaw firms, such as Level, that are shaking-up the traditional ways of working in law? In this podcast, Level’s founding partners Dan Lowen and Morri
S2E1: Why I left a magic circle law firm to re-discover my passion for photography and art
Shortly after training at a magic circle law firm, Coker had an epiphany: a busy career in commercial law shouldn’t require sacrificing doing the things you love. Since then, Coker has joined the new wave of lawyers doing things differently, as she now balances life as a legal consultant for Re:link, Linklaters’ network of flexible lawyers working on a regular fixed term basis, alongside her photo
S1E8: Law school during the pandemic
Students have had a tough time during the pandemic, with many finding that online teaching doesn’t quite match the in-person experience and some disappointed with their universities’ responses to the COVID lockdowns. In law, a group of BPP University students have been particularly vocal with their complaints, publishing an open letter outlining their unhappiness with delivery of the Legal Practic
S1E7: How to become a confident public speaker
Public speaking is a key part of everyday lawyer life – from simple team meetings to advising clients on conference calls. Meanwhile, as remote working continues to reshape the delivery of legal services, clear communication is important now more than ever. In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, City lawyer Eloise Skinner offers tips and tricks to improve your public speaking skills.
S1E6: 3 essential skills for junior lawyers
In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, City lawyer Eloise Skinner discusses essential skills to cultivate during the early stages of your legal career -- whether you’re an NQ fresh from a retention round, a training contract holder or even an aspiring lawyer. To prepare you for law firm life, Skinner breaks her advice down into three sections: the importance of staying curious, ways of upskil
S1E5: Why failure is just a form of feedback
How do you stay resilient in the face of failure? In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Eloise Skinner speaks to Richard Youle, private equity partner at Skadden, who discusses the importance of being organised, asking for constructive feedback and knowing when to ask yourself, ‘is this the right job for me?’ This episode was recorded before the lockdown.
S1E4: How aspiring lawyers can make the most of lockdown
Many of us will have a bit more time on our hands than we expected this summer. It’s tempting to sink into an endless cycle of Netflix and TikTok – but once you get bored with that, what could you be doing with your time? In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Eloise Skinner, corporate lawyer and author, will discuss ways aspiring lawyers can be more productive during the lockdown
S1E3: Meet the Durham law student tackling the mental health crisis
On this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, we speak to Lewis Baxter, a 21 year old Durham law student and mental health advocate, about battling depression, public speaking, founding mental health organisation The Blurred Line Group, and his top time-management tips for getting it all done.
S1E2: Behind the scenes with YouTube star and personal injury lawyer Chrissie Wolfe
Want to know how to build a brand as a lawyer? Wondering how to balance your personal interests with your career? In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, we chat to Chrissie Wolfe, YouTube star and personal injury lawyer – about all of that and more.
S1E1: What type of lawyer do you want to be, and why?
As part of Legal Cheek’s podcast series, a trio of City lawyers reflect on their reasons for pursuing a career in law and how their passion for their respective practice areas has developed over time.
