Welcome to Beyond The Suit, the podcast that aims to push the current boundaries and conventional thoughts of those working in the legal industry to look beyond the suit.    Brought to you by Fintelligent, with your host Zac Green. In each episode, we dive deep into the legal world by speaking with professionals from all levels and backgrounds, opening new doors for insightful conversations.   In this instalment, Zac is joined by co-host James Fowler, Managing Director at Fintelligent, as they sit down with Simon Whitehead, Partner and Head of Recruitment & Workforce Solutions at Brabners.    The episode deep dives into Simon's career journey from starting as a trainee lawyer in Manchester to setting up his own law firm. Simon candidly and honestly discusses his non-traditional route into law, all the while giving a heart-felt account of his experiences starting a family and setting up a business.   This very special episode is part one of two, as Simon provides insights into his diverse career path and gaining real perspective within the legal industry. A must-listen!   Timestamped Guide    00:03 - Introduction to co-hosts 01:07 - Introduction to Simon 04:14 - Sustainability and diversity in the legal industry 10:24 - Remote work challenges and the importance of processes 14:01 - Law school, training contracts, and personal experiences 19:49 - Career path in employment law with a focus on northern England 22:34 - Becoming a partner in a law firm 28:22 - Starting an independent law practice and leaving a traditional law firm 33:33 - Taking a risk to start a law firm 37:14 - Starting the firm, adoption journey, and growth 43:59 - Balancing work and family life after having a third child 46:53 - Work-life balance for lawyers with families 52:15 - Career choices and challenges in the legal profession Connect with your hosts, Zac Green and James Fowler on LinkedIn. Find our guest, Simon Whitehead on LinkedIn.   Thanks for listening to Beyond The Suit brought to you by Fintelligent  This is a Loaded Hype production.