Episode 4: Parenthood in the Legal Profession

In this month’s episode of Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers we’re delighted to delve into the topic of Alternative Routes into the Legal Profession in particular CILEX.   Joining host Duane Cormell is Gillian Lavelle, Senior Partner at MBH Solicitors.   Topics on the agenda include:   Gillian’s career so far The differences between alternative routes to law How CILEX has helped Gillian in her dream of becoming a lawyer Why CILEX can be a better route to the legal profession than others What stops more people from going down the CILEX route About Gillian Lavelle Gillian started her career as a legal secretary straight from finishing her A-Levels in June 2004.  She joined a legal firm and enrolled on a Legal Executive course run by CILEX in September 2004.  Gillian thereafter worked her way up the career ladder alongside her studies and qualified as a Legal Executive in June 2010.  She then decided to continue her studies and qualified as a Solicitor in July 2014. Gillian first started her career in the litigation team before moving into family law in August 2010.  Gillian joined her current firm, MBH Solicitors, in March 2015 and was promoted to Partnership on 1st May 2018 and to Senior Partner on 1st May 2020. About Duane Cormell Duane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.   About Legal Job Coach Legal Job Coach is an online careers advice brand which aims to increase diversity within the legal sector and fill the gaps left by traditional careers services. At Legal Job Coach, we believe that no matter what your background, with encouragement, support and guidance, it is possible to reach your potential and secure your dream legal role.   Legal Job Coach will:   shine a light on the gaps left by traditional legal career advice, promoting the less talked about legal practice areas and routes into the profession help you develop soft skills for the workplace that aren’t taught at university   give you practical advice on how to navigate the job market and recruitment process, on topics ranging from CV writing to interview skills legaljobcoach.com About CILEX CILEX is the professional association and governing body for over 21,000 Chartered Legal Executive Lawyers, other legal practitioners and paralegals. Their role is to enhance the role and standing of Chartered Legal Executives and all our members within the legal profession. For fifty years, they have been offering a unique route to a legal career and becoming a qualified lawyer without a requirement to having a law degree, although law graduates and graduates with non-law degrees can also qualify as a lawyer through the CILEX route.  To find out more click the link below: CILEX - Study to Become or Grow into a Specialist Lawyer 

In this month’s episode of Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers we’re delighted to delve into the topic of Diversity in the Legal Profession.   Joining host Duane Cormell is Matthew Flanagan-Roberts, Associate within the global Corporate Practice team at Squire Patton Boggs.    Topics on the agenda include:   Matthew’s career so far and the challenges he has faced How diversity in the legal profession has changed during his career What firms can do to improve diversity What the gay wage gap is and Matthew's personal experiences The best advice for someone struggling in the workplace About Duane Cormell Duane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.   About Matthew Flanagan-Roberts Matthew is an associate within the global Corporate Practice team at Squire Patton Boggs, based in their Manchester office.  Matthew advises on national and international transactions and specialises in mergers and acquisitions, and private equity investments, as well as joint ventures, corporate reorganisations, corporate governance and employee ownership trusts.  Matthew advises private equity investors, corporates and entrepreneurs, as well as individuals across a range of sectors in the local, national and international markets.  Matthew is also the Immediate Past Chair of the Manchester Young Solicitors Group, a social and professional network for qualified solicitors under 10 years PQE of which he was Chair for almost three years. In addition, Matthew sits on Manchester Law Society’s ED&I and education committees. Internally, Matthew is an active member of the firm’s LGBT+ committee and is committed to raising awareness in this space.   About Realm Recruit At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers.  Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms. You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit) or find us on our very own Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers LinkedIn page where you can find all the latest clips and get involved in the discussion! Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode. 

In this month’s episode of Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers we’re delighted to delve into the topic of Personal Branding for Lawyers.  Joining host Duane Cormell is Hannah Strawbridge, CEO/founder of the employment law solutions business, Han Law.   Topics on the agenda include:  Why Hannah decided to set up her own law firm The key to success when developing a personal brand How law firms are potentially missing out on a great deal of success due to a lack of personal branding advice Her best piece of advice to all aspiring lawyers looking to build a personal brand  About Duane Cormell Duane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.  About Hannah Strawbridge Hannah Strawbridge is an experienced Employment Solicitor, Tribunal advocate and CEO/founder of the employment law solutions business, Han Law.   Disillusioned by the traditional business model which too often failed to deliver the best for her clients, herself and her team, Hannah set up Han Law in 2019 with the goal of improving working lives for all.   The Han Law team acts for individuals and businesses and takes a fresh and inclusive approach to employment law, where innovation and creativity go hand in hand with technical ability and a life beyond the office.     Hannah herself is a passionate advocate for equal rights in the workplace.  She regularly presents and writes on the topic and during the Covid-19 Pandemic, she launched a campaign for employers to be more transparent about potential redundancies, to better protect women’s rights in the workplace.  About Realm Recruit At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers. Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms. You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit) Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode. 

In this month’s episode of Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers we’re delighted to delve into the topic of Parenthood in the Legal Profession. Joining our host Duane Cormell is Judith Thomas-Whittingham, Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence at Stephensons.  Topics on the agenda include: How Judith juggles being a partner of a law firm and a parent? Whether the structures that typically exist within law firms make it easy for a parent to build a successful career in the legal profession. How firms can help new parents transition back into work from parental leave.The impact parenthood can have on mental health  About Duane Cormell Duane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike. About Judith Thomas-Whittingham Judith was appointed as a Partner at Stephensons in 2009 and Head of Clinical Negligence in 2012. She is recognised by the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme and she is also the firm’s lead complaints partner. Judith joined Stephensons as a graduate paralegal upon completion of the Legal Practice Course in June 1998. The following year, she secured a training contract and qualified as a solicitor in September 2001.  Judith has recently been recognised as a leading individual in the field of clinical negligence in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500.She also regularly comments in the media on topical clinical negligence issues. She has appeared in This is Money, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Sun and on BBC Radio Manchester. Judith leads the 24-strong specialist department and in addition, raises funds for affiliated charities including The Limbless Society and Headway. About Realm Recruit At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers.Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms.You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit)Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode. 

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re pleased to have released a brand-new episode of Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers, all about the important topic of mental health in the law. Joining our host Duane Cormell is Sam Jardine, Partner in the Technology, Outsourcing and Privacy team at Fieldfisher and LawCare Champion. Topics on the agenda include:How and why Sam got involved with LawCare, the mental wellbeing charity for the legal community Why the ‘emotionally and culturally broken’ legal profession is lagging behind other sectors when it comes to wellbeing The steps law firms can take to tackle the issues of burnout and poor wellbeing The impact flexible working can have on mental health We would also love to give a shout-out to LawCare for putting us in touch with Sam and highlighting the amazing impact the organisation has on the legal profession. LawCare are a mental health charity for lawyers so if you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health then please do get in touch by visiting their website or give them a call on 0800 279 6888 About Duane CormellDuane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.About Sam Jardine Sam is a partner in Fieldfisher's technology law group. He is passionate about improving wellbeing in the profession – he's created training, partnered with external professionals, and written blogs and articles. When Sam leaves the legal profession, he hopes it will be a little emotionally healthier than when joined at the start of the century. About Realm Recruit At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers.    Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms.  You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit)    Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode. 

In our latest episode of Refreshingly honest chats with lawyers’, we discuss the topic of becoming an employer of choice. Joining us in the episode we have two extremely qualified guests from law firms that have done just that: Mairi Probin, Chief Culture and People Officer at the MAPD group and James Brown, Founder and Managing Partner at Hall Brown Family Law Topics on the agenda include what firms should do to become an employer of choice, whether flexibility should be a prerequisite for all law firms (not just those wanting to become an employer of choice) and the difference between cultural fit and personality fit. About Duane CormellDuane is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Realm Recruit. Duane set up Realm in 2015 with the aim of developing careers and sustainably growing law firms through a refreshing, values-driven approach to legal recruitment. Since moving to recruitment after obtaining a degree in Law, Duane has amassed more than 10 years of legal recruitment experience and uses that knowledge to help law firms, lawyers, and aspiring lawyers alike.  About Mairi Probin Mairi Probin is the Chief Culture and People Officer at the MAPD group, (Making A Positive Difference). Mairi is a specialist in employee engagement and culture development, and she has worked across a number of sectors from manufacturing to financial services as well as the legal sector.   Mairi has helped large companies debut in the top half of the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For and helped Iceland get a second-place finish in the Best Big Company to Work For list in 2013.  About James Brown James, together with Sam Hall, founded Hall Brown Family Law in April 2016. The firm is now ranked in Tier 1 of Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and independently verified as one of the country’s Best Law Firms by The Times newspaper for the last three years.   James is named a Leading Expert in the independent directory Chambers and Partners and a leading individual in Legal 500. About Realm Recruit  At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers.    Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms.  You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit)    Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode. 

In this International Women's Day special, we speak with two prominent female lawyers who have both reached the top level in their careers: Felicity Tulloch, Head of Licensing at Kuits and Emma Gill, Senior Director at Vardags.Topics on the agenda include how things have (or haven't) changed for women in the profession since they qualified, how Emma and Felicity found personal success in their careers, and what the future looks like for the next generation of women in law.About Felicity TullochFelicity Tulloch is the Head of Licensing at commercial law firm KuitsFelicity deals with a whole range of complex licensing issues and is an expert in obtaining licences in principle for commercial and residential developers on urban regeneration projects. Her clients include Revolution Bars, The Alchemist, GG Hospitality and Somerset House. In 2018, Felicity was appointed to the panel of Manchester’s Night Time Economy Commission by Sacha Lord, set up by the Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.About Emma GillEmma Gill is a Senior Director at Vardags and who serves as Head of the firm’s Manchester Office. Emma specialises in divorce and matrimonial finance and she routinely acts in high-profile, high-stakes matters. She has acted for CEOs of multi-million-pound companies, footballers, entrepreneurs, journalists and notable professionals in various fields, among others. Emma’s insight has been featured in The Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph, and she has appeared on the BBC more than any other family lawyer in recent years.About Realm Recruit At Realm Recruit, we believe in treating lawyers like people, not candidates. And we believe in treating law firms like valued partners, not just transactional customers.  Through our refreshing approach, we help to develop careers and sustainably grow law firms. You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@realmrecruit), Facebook and Instagram (realmrecruit)  Subscribe today to Refreshingly Honest Chats with Lawyers to make sure you never miss an episode.