But, Is It Legal?

What does it really take to modernise a 110-year-old law firm, and what happens when the person leading it isn't a lawyer? In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall sits down with Ashton Hunt, CEO of Tees Law, to explore how one of the East of England's most established firms is transforming itself from the inside out. From agricultural heritage and deliberate strategic restraint to...

What does it really take to lead the solicitors’ profession in 2025? In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Mark Evans, the 181st President of the Law Society of England and Wales, to discuss the pressures facing high street firms, why solicitor wellbeing can no longer be ignored, and how the profession must become more open, representative and fit for the future. Mark a...

Many firms talk “strategy”; few make space for it. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Jo Farmer (joint Managing Partner at Lewis Silkin) to discuss her playbook for modern firm leadership - pacing decisions, keeping close to clients, rolling out AI with courage, and killing off firm clichés.🎙️ 🔥 What's included: Leadership pace: when to slow decisions so better answ...

Many lawyers lurk on LinkedIn, few turn it into real client work. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Pawel Sawicki (Bird & Bird) to discuss his playbook on using consistency, personality, and practical posts to build trust and generate new work. Pawel explains the simple steps that turns quiet views into DMs, and DMs into deals. 🎙️ 🔥 What's included: The pivot:...

Former BBC anchor turns mediator. Joanna Gosling (Irwin Mitchell) talks about her new role and fascinating career journey. In this episode of But is it Legal?, Joanna joins Simon Marshall to discuss listening-first rules, smart pauses, and why many deals land after mediation, women-on-boards lessons for better decision-making, and some of her biggest career moments. 🔥 What's included: • Leaving t...

What happens when you swap billable hours for a movement? In this episode of But is it Legal?, Simon Marshall sits down with Ben White (Crafty Counsel) to learn how a small idea became the UK’s fastest growing in-house legal community, and where it’s heading next…🎙️ 🔥 What's included: The story so far - Leaving Clifford Chance to founding Crafty Counsel, and the in-between. Events that work - “St...

Building a Generation of Financially Savvy Lawyers | Ep 32 Carla Hoppe 🎙️ Lawyers can recite law in their sleep, yet many admit they’ve never learned the basics of financial management. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall welcomes Carla Hoppe, the founder of Wealthbrite, for a straight-talk conversation on money mis-education in the UK. Carla reveals how Wealthbrite equips law...

Re-wiring the Legal Career Playbook | Ep31 Alana Tart 🎙️ Feeling boxed in by the “one-track” legal career?  In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall chats with Alana Tart, General Counsel, Executive Coach, Mindfulness Teacher and co-founder of The Mentor Well, a youth-mentoring start-up that helps young individuals to navigate their futures confidently.🎙️ 🔥 What's included: Fracti...

Fresh off The Lawyer’s Hot 100 list, Laura Hughes (Browne Jacobson) talks about the future of law, government, and everything in between. In this episode of But is it Legal?, Laura joins Simon Marshall to break down what’s really going on behind the scenes of English devolution, local government reform, and the rise of Combined County Authorities. From advising governments on landmark structural c...

In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall gets an exclusive look at how Paul Lewis (Firmwide Managing Partner, Linklaters) leads one of the legal industry’s global giants - steering strategy, redefining success, and making a difference.🎙️ 🔥 What's included: Redefining leadership: Paul breaks down what it really means to manage a global law firm, from boardroom decisions to cultural...

The Tense Waters of Family Law | Anna Yarde 🎙️ Step into the challenging yet rewarding world of family law with Anna Yarde, a seasoned barrister from Harcourt Chambers. In this episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall looks into how Anna balances intense cases with the delicate nuances of child-related legal cases. 🎙️ 🔥 What's included: Driven by Advocacy: Discover what fuels Anna’s passi...

Bridging Cultures and Courts in Global Arbitration | Mahnaz Malik 🎙️ Step into the intricate world of international arbitration with Mahnaz Malik, a barrister and arbitrator at Twenty Essex. In this insightful episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall learns how Mahnaz handles the interplay of law, culture, and diplomacy in her high-stakes career. 🌍🎙️ 🔥 What's included: A day in the life:...

Meet the tree hugging lawyer… Sarah Dodd. The founder of Tree Law 🌳🎙️ Step into the unique world of Tree Law with its founder Sarah Dodd, who’s revolutionising how legal issues involving trees are handled. In this intriguing episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall uncovers how Sarah’s passion for both the law and environmental stewardship drove her to start a law firm unlike any other....

The life and career of Juliet Schalker, a partner who is advocating for a healthier work-life balance in the legal profession. 🎙️ Join us as we look at legal reforms and reshaping how law firms operate with Juliet Schalker, Partner at Debenhams Ottaway. In this transformative episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall chats with Juliet to discuss her approach to working in the legal sector a...

The life and career of David James Lister, the lawyer who is transforming Family Law by day and waiting tables by night 🎙️ Join us as we look into the transformative world of family law with David James Lister, a pioneer in family & matrimonial law from Ward Hadaway. In this compelling episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall explores how David’s unique approach to family and matrimoni...

The life and career of Emily Hier, a visionary social media strategist who’s reshaping how legal firms engage digitally.🎙️ Join us as we look into the world of digital marketing within the legal industry with Emily Hier (Clyde & Co), the mastermind behind some of the legal sectors most innovative social media strategies. In this enlightening episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall exp...

The life and career of Emma Mack, a seasoned litigation expert who’s taking a bold step back to reflect on her path in the legal world.🎙️ In this thought-provoking episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall sits down with Emma to unravel the stories behind her legal career and her bold decision to step away and reflect on her life’s path. From case stories to finding her voice on social plat...

Join us as we look at the intricate realm of data protection with Jon Baines, a non-lawyer specialist at Mishcon de Reya. 🎙️ In this revealing episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall discusses the cutting-edge challenges and dynamics of data privacy in today’s digital age with Jon, whose expertise spans from handling regulatory investigations to advising on Freedom of Information requests...

A look into the life of Maria Mulla, a barrister at the forefront of some of today’s most challenging and high-profile legal cases.🎙️ In this thrilling episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall chats with Maria to explore her fascinating career, her innovative approach to networking, and her role in some of the most high-profile legal cases. ⚖️ 🔥 What's included: The story so far: Discover...

Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the heart of private client law with the charismatic Heledd Wyn! 🎙️ In this lively episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall explores Heledd’s profound journey through her legal career, from her spirited beginnings to becoming an influential figure in the private client world. 🌟 🔥 What's included: From argument to advocate: Learn about Heledd’s p...

Getting a law firm merger completed isn’t easy at the best of times, never mind one during a global pandemic. 🌟 In this week’s episode, we learn how Edward Whittington, Managing Partner at Moore Barlow, has been steering his firm through challenge and change. Join host Simon Marshall on the latest episode of But is it Legal? for an in-depth look at Ed’s journey from a history-loving rural propert...

Hear how Silvia Van den Bruel is challenging long-standing taboos and fostering inclusivity in the workplace.🌟 In this insightful episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall learns how Silvia Van den Bruel is pushing for crucial societal shifts in how we discuss and handle menopause in the professional world. 🔥 What's included: Marketing & BD insights: Discover how Silvia orchestrates t...

Getting behind legal education with Patrick McCann, the mind behind Linklaters learning programs 🌟 In this vibrant episode of But is it Legal?, host Simon Marshall learns how Patrick shapes the future of law with his innovative approaches to training and development. 🌟 🔥 What's included: Personal touch: Patrick’s inspirational personal journey in the legal sector, including his role as a mentor...

Getting to know Rachael Keenan, Senior Partner at Capsticks, as she reveals the inner workings of leading a top law firm. Join host Simon Marshall on this week’s episode of But is it Legal? for an exclusive look into Rachael’s career, her role in moulding firm culture, and her impact on diversity and inclusion in the legal sector. 🌟👩‍⚖️ 🔥 What’s included: Leadership insights: Learn about Rachae...

Tune into a transformative conversation as Simon Marshall welcomes Catriona Wolfenden, the Product and Innovation Director at Weightmans. Learn about Catriona’s unique journey that rewrites the rulebook on what it means to be a leader in the legal sector today and how she is revolutionising how legal services merge with technology. 🔥 Highlights of this episode: Pathway to innovation: From the cou...