Talk To My Lawyer

This week, Adrian is joined by Juliet Schalker , litigation partner at Debenham Ottaway in St Albans. After nearly a decade in the City, Juliet made the bold decision to move to a regional firm, not as a career retreat, but a values-driven recalibration. What followed was a journey to redefine success, build a collegiate team culture and prove that first-class litigation work doesn't require...

This week, Adrian is joined by the brilliantly energetic and passionate Richard Port MBE , family solicitor specialising in domestic abuse and past president of Birmingham Law Society. Known for taking on the toughest cases and never backing down from a fight for justice, Richard shares a career built on purpose, persistence and a refusal to let victims go unheard. This conversation dives into Ric...

This week, Adrian is joined by the insightful and irrepressibly forward-thinking Electra Japonas , founder of TLB, creator of the OneNDA initiative and now Chief Legal Officer at Law Insider. Electra shares her journey from aerospace contracts to legal entrepreneurship, revealing how she carved out a new kind of legal career by trusting her instincts and refusing to settle for outdated ways of wor...

This week, Adrian is joined by the brilliant Dr. Anna Willetts , partner at Gunnercooke LLP, environmental criminal defence lawyer and, in her former life, a geologist with a PhD in landfill clay permeability.  Together, they unpack Anna’s refreshingly non-traditional route into law and explore how science, waste and Wellington boots led to a courtroom career that’s anything but conventional. This...

This week, Adrian is joined by the inimitable James Quarmby , partner at Stephenson Harwood, private client tax specialist and one of the UK’s most outspoken voices on tax policy and reform. Known for his no-nonsense commentary and deep economic insight, James brings clarity (and a few provocations) to the world of tax. This conversation unpacks James’ unconventional route into law and economics a...

In the studio today is the brilliant Rachel Waller , Consultant Solicitor at Excello Law and a specialist in contentious probate, trusts and Court of Protection work. Rachel joins Adrian to explore the importance of justice, the hidden dynamics of vulnerability and how she’s built a purpose-driven legal career from activist roots. This conversation unpacks Rachel’s legal path and draws out several...

With us today is the thoughtful and engaging Emma Geale , Principal Associate at Mills & Reeve and a specialist in private client law. Emma joins Adrian to reflect on her career journey, the evolving nature of wealth planning and how lawyers can bring both expertise and empathy to high-stakes family matters. This conversation traces Emma’s progression through law and highlights some fascinatin...

Joining Adrian today is Ruben Perin, Commercial Director at Taylor Rose and an experienced conveyancing solicitor. Ruben enters the studio to explore the realities of modern property law and what it takes to thrive in a fast-moving legal landscape. This conversation traces Ruben’s professional rise and reflects on some powerful industry truths along the way: How growing up with a structural engine...

Joining us for the second episode of Season 2 is the inspirational Dana Denis Smith OBE, journalist turned lawyer, legal entrepreneur and founder of the First 100 Years and Next 100 Years projects. She joins Adrian to explore innovation, identity and inclusion in the legal profession. This conversation unpacks Dana’s career built on change and challenge, touching on: How growing up under communism...

Opening Season 2 is the brilliant Nikki Alderson , former Criminal Barrister who now specialises in International Talent Retention and Women's Leadership Development at her Coaching business, Nikki Alderson Coaching . She joins Adrian in the TTML studio to discuss Retaining and empowering female talent in the legal industry. This conversation unpacks Nikki’s unconventional legal journey and e...

This week, Adrian welcomes fellow Adrian, property litigation solicitor and partner at Knights, Adrian McClinton, to explore the crucial topic of protecting your interests in property and land. Whether you're a homeowner, tenant, or business owner, understanding your legal position is key to safeguarding your rights. With years of experience handling landlord-tenant disputes and complex land...

This week, Adrian invites Skylar McKeith into the studio to explore the dynamic relationship between law and the media. As an immigration lawyer now specialising in global talent visas for actors looking for work in the UK, Skylar heads the immigration department at Lawrence Stephens. With her unique media presence and international experience, she shares her insights into how public narratives im...

This week, Adrian sits down with Andriy Buniak, Principal Associate Solicitor at Rothley Law Ltd, to explore the vital work of the Court of Protection. With years of experience safeguarding vulnerable individuals, Andriy offers a deep dive into this area of law, exploring how it impacts lives and why he finds it so rewarding. This conversation also delves into: The unique challenges and rewards of...

For our final episode before the new year, Adrian Johnson is joined by Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at JMW Solicitors LLP, David Smith. With David’s expertise in property litigation, particularly residential property, this episode focuses on the issues surrounding landlord and tenant legislation in the UK today. Adrian and David also discuss: ·        Entering the world of law from non-t...

This week, Adrian invites Rafael Singer into the studio to discuss: Consulting to the Troika – Accountants, Lawyer and Financial Advisers . Having studied Politics and Journalism at University, Rafael went on to work at the London Mayor’s office in his 20s whilst playing drums in an indie punk band, before his Mum suggested he train as a solicitor under his Dad. A few years down the line, Raf now...

This week, Adrian invites Alana Tart into the studio to discuss Mindfulness and the Modern Lawyer. Alana currently has three lines of employment, as General Counsel , Executive Coach and Mindfulness Teacher. In this episode, we get to the bottom of how and why she left a more traditional path to pursue a career with purpose that better honours ‘who I am and what I can best bring to this world’. On...

This week, Adrian invites Jay Sahota into the studio to discuss his journey from life in the City working at large firms to training and mentoring Law Firms and lawyers at Masala Mentor. Along the way, his initial decision to study at Cambridge and early choice to step away from the big city firms and move to smaller more nuanced practices, makes for a fascinating story that is well worth a listen...

This week, Adrian invites Chris Daw KC into the studio to discuss his journey from comprehensive school to KC. Chris provides a fascinating insight into the world of criminal defence. He combines his extensive experience across a variety of high profile cases and strong views on the flaws of the prison system in the UK at the moment, alongside the strengths of our jury system, for a really engagin...

Adrian welcomes Will Marshall, Head of Legal & Risk Management at Altea Insurance and previous Partner at DWF and Capsticks Solicitors, into the studio to discuss the question: Is there a good time to step out of the Law profession and into industry? In this episode, Will also delves into: Studying alternatives to Law before venturing into a career as a lawyer, ie. History; The challenges of l...

This week Adrian welcome’s Jon Gregson, employment lawyer and Partner at Weightmans, into the TTML studio to discuss his journey from day 1 to day 5,719 of making Partner. If you are part of the lawyer community on LinkedIn, you will almost certainly have seen Jon’s witty and insightful content appearing on your feed, from quips about his ginger hair to life as a Partner in a top UK law firm, Jon’...

Arvinder Mangat joins Adrian in the TTML studio this week for a fascinating conversation on working as a General Counsel in a variety of different start-ups and technology firms. Arvi gives detailed insights into his winding career as a lawyer, trying several different paths before settling on the one he is in now.    This conversation also leads to the discussion of: ·        Arvi's initial...

This week we are having a brief mid-season break, but Adrian wanted to record a short episode recapping the first 10 episodes and reflecting on the themes that we have covered and countries we have travelled to.  We also wanted to thank the brilliant team at Talk To My Lawyer, Frank Page our producer and Fiona Lynch our editor, as well as our wonderful guests who have brough life to the podcast. ...

Amy Cousineau Massey joins Adrian in the TTML studio this week to give some really personal and insightful thoughts on ‘Adversity and the human lawyer’. Amy talks about dealing with adversity and personal challenges having lost her baby boy when 6 months pregnant. We discuss how LinkedIn can and should be used to talk openly and in detail about experiences and tragedies like Amy’s.   In this podca...

Today, I am excited to be joined in the TTML studio by James Ford, Senior Associate at Mayer Brown, to discuss two seemingly rather different topics but ones that James himself has brought together throughout his life: Global Law and Global Music.   This conversation also delves into a variety of topics, including: ·        Studying in America, exploring different fields through liberal arts and h...

This week, I am excited to invite Sarah Jackson, Commercial Litigation and Insolvency Partner at IBB Law, into the studio to discuss whether the Law is a good career to juggle with parenting. Our conversation also leads to some fascinating discussions of: ·        What does insolvency actually mean / involve?; ·        The challenges of building a career and starting a family; ·        Covid'...