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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re obsessed with time management.
Calendars. Schedulers.
But what if we’re managing the wrong thing?
Because time isn’t the problem.
You can have an empty day and still feel exhausted.
You can finish early and still feel drained.
The real issue?
Energy.
No one teaches us to manage it.
But it’s the thing that fuels everything else.
So maybe it’s not about how many hours you work.
It’s about how you feel during them.
Today I'm sitting down with Grace Williams to get expert advice on how to manage stress & burnout through energy management in law, she's an ex white and case solicitor turned health and nutrition coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The future of law isn’t just about AI.
Or automation.
Or the next hot legal tech startup.
It’s about people.
Visibility.
Culture.
And the conversations we’re brave enough to have.
In this episode, I'm showcasing the key conversations that are defining the future of law.
Holly Cope & Helen Pamely
The best-kept secret in the future of your law career?
It’s how marketable you are.
Jonathan Watmough
Let me introduce you to Jonathan Watmough, award-winning former managing partner and author of How to Thrive in a Commercial Law Firm.
We talk about: How firms can balance culture + profitability — if they’re willing to evolve. Because the culture they build will become their competitive edge.
Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov
The legal industry needs better conversations.
The kind that actually move the profession forward.
That’s why events like FutureLaw matters.
Let me introduce you to the founders of FutureLaw Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov. They created the event to talk about what’s really happening at the intersection of law, tech, and innovation.
FutureLaw is happening in Tallin, Estonia, 29th - 30th May 2025.
Find out more here:
https://futurelaw.ee/
--
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
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AI isn’t coming for lawyers.
It’s coming for tasks.
And here’s the real shift:
If your value is tied only to what a system can do faster,
It’s time to rethink what you’re really selling.
Lawyers who will thrive aren’t the ones who fear AI.
They’re the ones who double down on the one thing machines can’t do:
Trust.
Judgment.
Human connection.
Creative strategy in grey areas.
AI might draft the contract.
You’ll still be the one they call before they sign it.
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A landmark moment for the legal industry:
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has officially authorised Garfield.Law, the first ever AI-driven law firm regulated to provide legal services in England and Wales.
This isn’t just another firm using AI to streamline admin. Garfield.Law is entirely AI-driven, offering small businesses an AI litigation assistant to recover unpaid debts, guiding them through the small claims process all the way to trial.
I went straight to the source.
I interviewed the founder of Garfield.Law, Philip Young.
And I asked the questions everyone wants the answers to:
You’re going to want to hear this.
Listen to the full episode here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cuz6TZU3cGh7Z3BMASdqj
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exclusive-interview-inside-the-first-ai-driven-law/id1729325503?i=1000708233067
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You want to do law differently.
But let’s be real, no one’s handing you the blueprint.
You’re told to follow the script:
Bill the hours. Climb the ladder.
But the moment you want freedom, creativity, or flexibility
It feels like you’re breaking some silent rule.
Here’s what most won’t tell you:
Doing law differently doesn’t make you less of a lawyer.
Today I'm sitting down with Ari Mike Varjabedian, a digital nomad lawyer and now, founder of E-Legal Counsel which provides tech-driven legal services to entrepreneurs & businesses. He created a life of travel and law and in this conversation he talks about how he did it.
Find Ari here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-mike/
----
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when innovation outpaces regulation?
It took 8 months for Garfield the UK’s first AI-driven law firm to be authorised.
Because the law itself hasn’t caught up.
The first hurdle?
A threshold question: Does the SRA even have the power to regulate this?
Find out how the process went behind the scenes in this exclusive interview. This is the first podcast interview Philip has done.
A landmark moment for the legal industry:
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has officially authorised Garfield.Law, the first ever AI-driven law firm regulated to provide legal services in England and Wales.
This isn’t just another firm using AI to streamline admin. Garfield.Law is entirely AI-driven, offering small businesses an AI litigation assistant to recover unpaid debts, guiding them through the small claims process all the way to trial.
I went straight to the source.
I interviewed the founder of Garfield.Law, Philip Young.
And I asked the questions everyone wants the answers to:
You’re going to want to hear this.
Listen to the full episode here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cuz6TZU3cGh7Z3BMASdqj
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exclusive-interview-inside-the-first-ai-driven-law/id1729325503?i=1000708233067
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A landmark moment for the legal industry:
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) has officially authorised Garfield.Law, the first ever AI-driven law firm regulated to provide legal services in England and Wales.
This isn’t just another firm using AI to streamline admin. Garfield.Law is entirely AI-driven, offering small businesses an AI litigation assistant to recover unpaid debts, guiding them through the small claims process all the way to trial.
I went straight to the source.
I interviewed the founder of Garfield.Law, Philip Young.
And I asked the questions everyone wants the answers to:
Who’s really responsible when AI gets it wrong?
How do they avoid “AI hallucinations”?
What safeguards are in place for clients?
Will this replace lawyers, or help them?
You’re going to want to hear this.
If you want more information about Garfield law, go here:
https://www.garfield.law/#about
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sleep deprivation is costing businesses billions, yet many workplaces still overlook its impact, particularly within the legal industry.
The legal industry runs on high stakes and high accountability.
Deadlines don’t wait.
Mistakes aren’t an option.
So, sleep? It’s often the first thing to go.
Today, I'm sitting down with adult sleep expert, Maryanne Taylor. She's been featured on Sky News, Channel 4, Channel 5
Maryanne reveals how small shifts can transform the way lawyers sleep boosting energy, focus, and performance.
Find Maryanne here:
https://thesleepworks.co.uk/about/
---
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The one-sized-fits-all mindset doesn’t work in international law.
Step into another country thinking your way is the only way, and you’ll fail fast.
Success in law isn’t just about knowing the rules—it’s about understanding the culture behind them.
I’ve seen lawyers walk into international markets assuming they can operate like they do at home. They hit a wall. Because legal strategy, business and connections is shaped by culture.
In some places, contracts mean everything. In others, personal relationships hold more weight than a signed agreement.
Cultural intelligence isn’t just a “nice-to-have” skill. It’s the difference between landing clients and losing them.
Today, I'm sitting down with George Summerfield, partner at K&L Gates Beijing office. He has worked in patent litigation for over 30 years and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for patent litigation in 2024. After a long career in the US, George decided to make a career change and move to China.
We explore the challenges and insights of cross-cultural experiences, practicing law in a completely different culture, adapting to new norms, and building meaningful connections.
--
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Taking a career break won’t ruin you.
But staying miserable might.
Lawyers panic about stepping away.
The fear?
That a career break means career suicide.
That law firms will blacklist you.
That you’ll never make it back.
But here’s the truth: that mindset is outdated.
The real risk isn’t taking a break.
It’s burning out in a system that tells you survival is success.
Today I'm sitting down with Brian Dixon, digital nomad lawyer, fractional general counsel. He offers tailored legal solutions to digital nomads and remote-first companies whilst living in Bali.
We discuss this topic - is it taboo to take a career break in law or could it be your competitive advantage?
--
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why do some people stay in toxic workplaces?
Because sometimes, it feels familiar.
If you grew up in an unsupportive or estranged family, you might have learned early on that approval and safety come at a cost. Maybe you had to compete for attention. Maybe speaking up led to punishment. Maybe you learned that keeping the peace was more important than being heard.
Fast forward to your career.
You enter a workplace where toxic dynamics thrive, where leaders play favourites, pit employees against each other, or make you feel like you have to prove your worth every day. And instead of seeing the red flags, you normalise them. You tolerate the dysfunction. Maybe, without realizing it, you even contribute to it.
Because once upon a time, that was survival.
Today I'm sitting down with Becca Bland, a journalist, researcher, and leading advocate for family estrangement awareness. She founded Stand Alone, the UK’s only non-profit for estranged individuals, and has driven groundbreaking research and policy change. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, BBC, The New York Times, and more.
Today, we’re discussing how your background can shape your legal career especially when it comes to recognising (or overlooking) toxic workplaces. Why do some people stay in unhealthy work environments? And how does past experience make dysfunction feel…normal? Let’s break it down.
Find Becca here:
https://www.beccabland.com/my-story
--
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are we in an AI revolution in law?
Depends who you ask.
Yes, law is complex.
Yes, AI has limitations.
Some lawyers say:
“AI can’t do what I do, it took me years to get here.”
“We’re not feeling the impact yet, and we won’t for a while.”
Maybe. But history tells us one thing: Revolutions don’t announce themselves.
By the time everyone agrees we’re in one, it’s already happened.
Today myself, Holly Cope and Helen Pamely, sit down with Senior Partner at SMB, Simon Goldberg.
We debate this topic, is AI taking over the legal industry?
--
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
---
Introducing: The LinkedIn Starter Pack for Lawyers
The ULTIMATE starter pack for LinkedIn for lawyers: 11 interactive tools designed to elevate your personal brand and turn connections into clients.
From optimising your profile, to mastering content creation, with 30 scroll-stopping frameworks and magnetic hook formulas. Learn how to network like a pro, position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche, and never run out of content ideas with our ideation guide and strategy worksheet.
https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-starter-pack-for-lawyers/
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In a study by the Law Gazette, 28% of lawyers said that their work required them to be available to clients 24/7, while 65% checked emails outside of work hours to stay on top of their tasks.
The legal industry runs on high stakes and high accountability.
Deadlines don’t wait.
Mistakes aren’t an option.
So, sleep? It’s often the first thing to go.
Today, I'm sitting down with adult sleep expert, Maryanne Taylor. She's been featured on Sky News, Channel 4, and Channel 5.
Maryanne reveals how small shifts can transform the way lawyers sleep boosting energy, focus, and performance. She busts common sleep myths and shares game-changing tips to help lawyers get better rest.
Find Maryanne here:
https://thesleepworks.co.uk/about/
---
25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guide
Discover innovative, unconventional ways
to build your legal career on your own terms.
Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.
Download now:
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A firm's culture isn't what it says, it's what it tolerates.
In this episode, I'm spotlighting some of the key leaders in law. We talk about the topic of culture in the legal industry.
This episode features the following people:
Simon Goldberg
Let me introduce you to Simon Goldberg, senior partner of SMB (Simons Muirhead Burton), one of the law firms representing the individuals and families affected by the post office scandal.
Is there tension between making money and being ethical in law and does this lead to a culture of toxicity?
Listen to the full episode here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/65SA64NOBWRIyYfwz4SGbM
William Peake
Let me introduce you to William Peake, the global managing partner of international law firm Harneys.
We touch on how leadership can help improve the legal industry by creating a more supportive and growth-focused environment for everyone involved.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5emMZHn8FNseul1eKbFfnd
Gary Miller
Next we have, Gary Miller, partner at Mishcon de Reya, Head of China Desk & Chair of International Fraud Group. Gary is a global asset recovery expert with 47 years of experience in uncovering and securing assets, leading cross-border teams, and driving high-stakes settlements.
Many people stay in toxic work environments, believing that leaving equals failure. But in this conversation, Gary explains you're not giving up you're freeing yourself to be open to more aligned opportunities.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/18TEmZyMvcJuNwJqxY7W7x
Ian Bagshaw
Here we have, Ian Bagshaw. Ian, an unstoppable force in the legal world, his career includes being the Co-Head of Private Equity at Linklaters and global co-head of private equity at White & Case. After retiring from law, he's back as the London Office Managing Partner of Perkins Coie.
A strong culture starts with the right people, and by supporting their growth, a more positive and productive environment can be built. Talent must be nurtured.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2tZfOpWuEZjm85zJ9vTQnG
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The criminal trial system isn’t what you think.
It’s about strategy. Performance. Persuasion.
Courtrooms are like a stage. The best argument wins. The most compelling story can sway the jury.
If you want to know how the system really works, the drama, the high-stakes decisions, and the brutal reality of justice, this episode is a must-listen.
Today I'm sitting down with AX Foster, actor turned lawyer. He started out aiming to be an entertainment lawyer, but once he discovered criminal law, he was hooked.
AX Foster spent 20 years as a prosecutor in Maryland before setting up his own law firm defending criminal cases.
AX Foster is the author of Gavel to Gavel and his latest book Double Blind has been ranked #1 in the legal thriller category on Amazon.
https://www.axfoster.com/about-ax-foster
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If you’ve ever wondered how to build a legal career that fits your lifestyle and values, I’ve created something for you.
"25 Ways to Do Law Differently (And Get Paid for It!)" is a free guide filled with simple, yet impactful ideas for lawyers who want more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment in their work.
https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s a cultural failure.
And the worst part? By the time you feel it, it’s already too late.
Because burnout doesn’t hit like a breakdown. It creeps in quietly:
You stop feeling proud of your work.
Small tasks feel overwhelming.
You start to wonder if you even care anymore.
The problem isn’t that lawyers can’t handle pressure.
So, what’s the way out? It starts with rethinking success.
Because a lawyer who is well-rested, engaged, and valued will always outperform one running on empty.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a world where AI can process data faster and more accurately than any lawyer, the true strength moving forward is in the people behind the law.
The future of law is about human connection. AI can’t replicate empathy, trust, or understanding of what makes us human.
In this new era, your uniqueness is your competitive advantage.
Today we're sitting down with Rich Fox Fractional GC and Senior in house Legal Consultant we talk about where the future of law is heading and how to future-proof yourself.
Find Rich here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-colin-fox-b8003249/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today I'm talking with the founders of the largest legal innovation conference in Northern Europe, FutureLaw:
Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov.
This is a place where legal, tech, and business meet on equal ground.
Where discussions aren’t just theoretical but global, practical, and forward-thinking.
The first FutureLaw conference began in 2023, bringing together leaders from the Nordics, the Baltics, and beyond.
By 2024 it had become truly international.
Over 40 nations.
World-class speakers from Asia to America.
And 2025 is set to be better.
Because the future of law isn’t built in isolation.
It’s built through collaboration.
For legal professionals, this isn’t just another event, it’s an opportunity.
To learn from the best minds in legal tech, business, and practice.
To see how technology is reshaping law firms, access to justice, and client service.
To future-proof your career in a profession that’s evolving faster than ever.
The legal industry is changing.
You can watch from the sidelines.
Or you can step into the room where the future of law is being shaped.
FutureLaw is happening in Tallin, Estonia, 29th - 30th May 2025.
Find out more here:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stress in law isn’t just part of the job, it’s built into the culture.
Deadlines. Client demands. Billable targets. It’s easy to believe that stress is something external, something that happens to you. But stress isn’t just about the job. It’s a biological response.
This episode is part of a new mini-series on wellbeing in law, while the demands of the industry aren’t changing overnight lawyers have to rethink how they can navigate them.
And no, this isn’t another “just meditate and take breaks” kind of conversation. We know stress in law isn’t that simple. The reality is, most advice doesn’t cut it when you’re dealing with constant pressure, high stakes, and a workload that never stops.
But there are ways to take back control ways that actually work in the legal world. If you’ve ever thought, I know I need to manage stress, but nothing seems to help this is for you.
Today I'm sitting down with Grace Williams to get expert advice on how to manage stress in law, she's an ex White and Case solicitor turned health and nutrition coach. Find Grace on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-williams-coach/
This episode is part of a three-part wellbeing series.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For a long time, success in law has been narrowly defined, making partner, climbing the corporate ladder, and sacrificing personal life for billable hours.
But what happens when women in law decide to rewrite that definition for themselves?
In this episode, I am spotlighting the stories of women who walked away from the traditional legal path, not because they couldn’t hack it, but because they chose something different.
Something bigger. Something that aligned with their version of success.
Helen Pamely
Let me introduce you to Helen Pamely, she walked away from prestige, a safe salary, and a partner title at a London firm to one day decide this wasn’t the version of success she wanted anymore, so she quit.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uere1F95HoxOIYTWTNhZ2?si=8b8954a520724000
Natalie Thomas
Next we have Natalie Thomas, she went from studying at Oxford University to working in Tesco in South-West Wales to then being part of the founding team, helping launch the London office of top US law firm Perkins Coie.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jMn0EHD9fZFHZIpvPou8Z
Dana Shaker
Next, I want to introduce you to Dana Shaker. She went from being a traditional lawyer to a remote digital nomad lawyer working on the road.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6T861HNH9oS4pU6hgUY7rm?si=6a457f0e11204f1a
Renee Pardo
Renee Pardo is a former trial lawyer. She changed her career path after 30 years in law and years before qualifying for her pension. She is now a certified executive life coach who primarily coaches women lawyers.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5iatTpq4ugGkcQkQBjhbpi?si=3ab947230c054379
Tara Seosankar
Tara Seosankar shares her journey of becoming a freelance employment lawyer in Canada and the reasons behind her decision to leave a traditional law firm.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sv3OQ57H1TiUGYbEaQ6vY?si=c5bf76f5c831482e
Hannah Strawbridge
Hannah Strawbridge, founder of Han Law started out as a lawyer at a top UK firm and then became a freelancer before building a successful employment law business. After becoming disillusioned by the traditional law firm mentality, and witnessing too many colleagues either leave the profession or ‘burn out’, Hannah decided to start her own firm.
Listen to the full story here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BezlMkOmt2xinNudymyTr
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you balance culture with profitability without losing both?
Younger lawyers aren’t following the same career paths as before. They want flexibility, purpose, and a future that isn’t just about billable hours. some are more entrepreneurial, others are more willing to walk away, and many are less tied to the outdated idea that partnership is the ultimate goal.
And yet, law firms are still clinging to the same structures.
In this conversation, we sit down with Jonathan Watmough award-winning former City law firm Managing Partner and author of 'How To Thrive In A Commercial Law Firm' he now helps law firm partners and partnerships improve performance.
We talk about how the legal industry isn’t just changing, it’s being rewritten.
The shift from natural to strategic competition and what it means for the industry. How law firms can adapt to retain talent in a competitive market. The legal industry is experiencing a generational shift.
Find Jonathan here:
https://www.helpinglawyersthrive.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
