Reimagine Law

In this podcast you will hear about the multiple ways you can develop the behaviours and skills which will enable you to not just secure employment but thrive when in workWays to build resilience, empathy and trustAll kinds of activities and hobbies that can develop youThe different types of people we can learn fromHow using AI is strengthening critical thinkingAnd the power of trying new thingsIf you want to learn more about the work Muhammad and George do outside of their day job look at Home - PRIME

This episodes discusses what we mean by advocacy and how you can develop your skills. Our episode guests are Dr Audrey Cook and Theresa Lynch, both academics from The University of Birmingham. Both specialise in teaching advocacy to Law students in a variety of ways.  This episode explores what we mean by advocacy including the full range of formal court advocacy opportunities such as mooting and trial advocacy.  It also considers policy work, persuasion techniques and public speaking more widely. We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. Go to court at your local court and watch advocates in action!  Get involved! Any public speaking situation you can do however small the step is worth giving a try. Useful resourcesSpeed mooting: https://speedmooting.com/   

Communication is the basis of many aspects of legal practice.  This episode looks at the science behind what we say and how we can use this to improve our communication for best effect. Full description / show notes including links etc Matt works with the Verbal Behavioural Intelligence system to help people look at the science behind what they say.  In short, all conversation content can be divided into 14 criteria (in 4 clusters).  The amount of each of these clusters and criteria we use in a conversation can shape how we communicate. We can tweak these ratios to improve our communication style. The four clusters are:• Initiate: - structuring conversations – organising the flow of direction in the meeting- Propose – putting forward new concepts or suggestions. - Build – extending a proposal which has been made by another. • Reactions within conversations:- Support – a declaration of support or agreement. - Disagree – direct difference of opinion. - Block – e.g. no or that wouldn’t work. - Defend / Attack – attacking another person to defend one’s own position. - Open – open to loss of status e.g. admission of mistake or inadequacies. • Clarifying content: - Test understanding – checking they have understood- Summarise – summarising actions- Seek information – e.g. what do you think we should do now? - Give information – giving views or experiences. • Controlling the conversation:- Shutting others out – talking over or finishing peoples sentences- Bringing in – e.g. what do you think XX?We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. Here are a few suggestions.- What people and see when they are really good at communicating and adopt that yourself. - Pick one of the 14 criteria which you have as a strength and one which you could do better at.  Think about who does that one well that you know and see if you can adopt - In your next meeting – look out for the 14 behaviours.  Did you notice anything in particular about how they were being used?  

In this special episode we are joined by Simon Reichwald, Rohan Kingwall and Seamus Nangle – who share perspectives on the increasing use of AI in the recruitment market, considering both the recruiter (employer) and student (applicant) perspective.  The guests discuss a range of topics relating to the use of AI as part of the job-seeking and hiring process.  How are employers using AI to screen applications, and why? Should students seeking jobs use AI at all – if their goal in any application is to bring out their true, unique personality? Can AI help with CVs, or cover letters, and is it making job-seeking a more (or less) “fair” process? Simon and Rohan also give their views on how they see AI more broadly.  Is it destroying skills and “learning”, or something which needs to be embraced, as it can always be used for some tasks helpfully?  They also give some practical examples of how they have found it helped them to sharpen an application, and gave them ideas and insights on organisations to which they were applying.  As a final take-away, Simon talks about the tools being used by Connectr with employer organisations – in particular the idea of ensuring applicants are being clear if the relevant job opportunity is really for them.  Are they being focused and intentional, and avoiding the less helpful approach of sending out a large number of very similar, less tailored applications?  Simon also shares the statistics which show how people who make fewer applications, where they have reflected in advance, are far more likely to progress in the recruitment process – and have a better chance of landing the job they want!   Actions and resources for listeners: ·       Read this blog on “job candidate intent” – if you are currently seeking a job, which of the 4 categories do you think you fall into?  What could you do, in order to demonstrate more ‘curiosity’ and ‘intent’, to become a “Purpose Driven” job seeker? ·       Check this article on using AI in job applications – what one idea could you take from the article to help you prepare for your next interview, or application? ·       Check the Connectr “virtual experience” for 2 law firms (here and here) – connect and explore one of the firms.  What did you learn?  

In this special episode we are joined by Andrew White – who shares his learning of how to be “client-focused” from more than 20 years as a partner at a City law firm – with many years of experience spent delivering client advisory projects, and also client-facing learning programmes.  Andrew discusses what are the “perennial truths” of client service, things which have not changed, and also the “new”: what is becoming even more important for client in 2026 (and beyond), which their advisers need to understand?  Practical tips and ideas on different aspects of being “client-focused” are given on a range of topics – including how one needs to think very carefully about communication styles and strategies.The episode also covers the special importance of the “human touch” in personalising one’s service – to show one has truly listened to a client.  Andrew then discusses a number of practical strategies for developing key commercial and client-facing skills, ranging from critical thinking to story-telling.  As a final take-away, Andrew also offers three key areas for lawyers to keep in mind: “VAR” – the important link between client-service and one’s “Values”, managing new “AI” tools as part of client service, and the importance of “Reflection”.   Actions and resources for listeners: ·       Read this blog on “the Human Touch” – is there anything you would add to Andrew’s list in the article of what are the critical elements? ·       Can you be too “client-focused” as a lawyer?  Read this article and consider 2 points on each side of the argument!  

In this special episode we are joined by Anne Chitan and Dan Tench, Partners at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, and experts in the legal issues related to the fast-developing area of Quantum Technologies.  The team discuss what “Quantum Technologies” are, and why they are becoming increasingly important to lawyers and their clients now.  In this special episode we are joined by Anne Chitan and Dan Tench, Partners at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, and experts in the legal issues related to the fast-developing area of Quantum Technologies.  The team discuss what “Quantum Technologies” are, and why they are becoming increasingly important to lawyers and their clients now – especially Quantum Computing and its applications.  Anne discusses how legal issues relating to Quantum Technologies can arise different industry sectors ranging from transportation to healthcare and financial services, exploring both the legal and commercial risks.  Dan explores how practically Quantum Technologies can impact both organisations and individuals in areas ranging from data security and encryption to potential liabilities for technology service providers.  Both guests also consider which areas of legal practice bring skills and experience which can support clients in this area.  The conversation touches on the wide range of stakeholders potentially impacted – “horizon-scanning” to think about how this technology (and the legal issues surrounding it) are likely to impact governments, the public and society as a whole in the near future.    Actions and resources for listeners: ·       Read this blog on Quantum Technologies – what would you consider the biggest 2 risks, and the 2 biggest opportunities, from adoption of this technology?  And what are the key legal issues? ·       Research and consider 3 different organisations (including both public and private sector ones) you think will need legal support on Quantum Technology issues in the next 2-3 years.  What legal advice would they need, specifically?  

 In Part 2 of this special episode we are joined by Louise Carreras, Simon Reichwald, and Nigel Spencer, talent development experts in the legal sector.  The guests share their insights on how students and early career lawyers can best develop – and demonstrate – “commercial awareness”.  The team discuss what “commercial awareness” means in 2025, what employers are now looking for when you apply for a job, and the importance of building good habits to develop your readiness to succeed in the workplace.  Louise, Simon and Nigel talk about how employers are now wanting people to demonstrate “work readiness”, and describe the daily behaviours which will demonstrate this capability in a work environment.  Also discussed is how you can find examples of “work readiness” from your different previous experiences either whilst you are studying or in previous job roles.  Finally, Louise talks about how employers review job applications and what they are seeking in the different recruitment exercises they design, giving tips on how the succeed with your job applications – and then thrive once you begin a job.    Actions and resources for listeners: ·         Explore one of the free “job simulations” at Forage – to demonstrate you are commercial, and “work ready” for the organization you selected, what skills do you think you need to demonstrate? ·         Try one of the “Virtual Work Experience” programmes at Springpod – What did you learn about the organization? Did anything surprise you? What did you really like? ·         Check the blog “Is commercial awareness really that important?” from law firm Shoosmiths.  How many of the 5 tips listed there do you do already to develop your “commercial awareness”?  Which tip could you do more of in the next month?

 In Part 1 of this special episode we are joined by Louise Carreras, Simon Reichwald, and Nigel Spencer, talent development experts in the legal sector.  The guests share their insights on how students and early career lawyers can best develop – and demonstrate – “commercial awareness”.  The team discuss what “commercial awareness” means in 2025, what employers are now looking for when you apply for a job, and the importance of building good habits to develop your readiness to succeed in the workplace.  Louise, Simon and Nigel talk about how employers are now wanting people to demonstrate “work readiness”, and describe the daily behaviours which will demonstrate this capability in a work environment.  Also discussed is how you can find examples of “work readiness” from your different previous experiences either whilst you are studying or in previous job roles.  Finally, Louise talks about how employers review job applications and what they are seeking in the different recruitment exercises they design, giving tips on how the succeed with your job applications – and then thrive once you begin a job.    Actions and resources for listeners: ·         Explore one of the free “job simulations” at Forage – to demonstrate you are commercial, and “work ready” for the organization you selected, what skills do you think you need to demonstrate? ·         Try one of the “Virtual Work Experience” programmes at Springpod – What did you learn about the organization? Did anything surprise you? What did you really like?  ·         Check the blog “Is commercial awareness really that important?” from law firm Shoosmiths.  How many of the 5 tips listed there do you do already to develop your “commercial awareness”?  Which tip could you do more of in the next month?

 In this special episode we are joined by Adam Allegri and Flavio Cultrera Muñoz, Legal Counsel in the In-House legal team at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm.  The guests share their insights on how students can succeed best in their first workplace experiences.  We discuss how best to prepare, and then succeed in a first work role: questions you can ask, and the great daily habits and skills to build to help you to thrive in your first job.  Adam and Flavio talk about a range of areas to focus on: the importance of building networks, and making time for face-to-face meetings to learn from others.  We also explore the power of observing experienced colleagues around you – helping you to make the best choices in terms of your style of communication or contribute to meetings and calls.  How you “show up” on Day 1 is discussed, and there is a practical list of questions you should ask in advance of starting to maximise your chances of success.  The episode also explores challenges including how you can work effectively with multiple supervisors or master working in an open-plan working environment.   Lastly, Adam and Flavio share their thoughts on the critical point of being hungry to learn about the organisation you have joined, its values and purpose, and what drives its success – and never forgetting that above all you will succeed by building great relationships across different teams as you develop your role.  Actions and resources for listeners: ·         After listening to the episode, explore the Gensler website – if you were starting a job there in two weeks’ time, what questions would you ask your “Buddy” or “Mentor” on Day 1? ·         Review this checklist of 13 tips: check the list before you start a role – and then after you begin your role, check it again to see how well you are doing on the key aspects, giving yourself a score out of 10!  

Law students and trainee solicitors need to understand how AI interacts with legal practice.  This includes how it works, which tools are best for which tasks and the ethical implications. This episode explores all these issues and more! Law students and trainees will need to be able to use different AI tools ethically, efficiently and competently.   Learning how to do this should start in Law School.  In this episode Catriona Filmer from Field Fisher LLP and Jimin Park (QMUL on placement at Simmons and Simmons) go through the nuts and bolts of AI in legal practice and how it is being used ‘on the ground’. They break down this big and sometimes overwhelming topic into digestible discussion.  Lawyers are having to understand this new skill set to get the best out of AI and navigate this new world.  That doesn’t mean coding but does mean understanding the framework and crucially the ethical implications.  Also understanding how AI might impact different aspects of our legal profession from high street to city law firms.    They discuss how AI works from tokens, predictive models and context windows.  From this it is easier to understand the advantages and disadvantages of different AI tools to legal practice.   We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. Here are a few suggestions.  -       Look at the free online courses / resources prepared by the Open University alongside law firms such as Field Fisher. https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/index.php?categoryid=2150&_gl=1*1kwmwvu*_gcl_au*MTA4MDE3Njk5Ny4xNzU1NDk3MjQ5   -       Test different AI models to see the inherent biases – analyse the information which is produced.