The Hearing – A Legal Podcast

The last 10 years have been phenomenal for Bird & Bird – with a keen and fruitful programme of global expansion. And this is in no small part to the firm's hard-working CEO, David Kerr. Kevin sits down with David to discuss his 22 years at the helm. Bird & Bird may have a history dating back to 1846, but it has innovation at its core. How does David feel about getting into bed with China?...

Michelle. Melania. Herr Merkel. If (big if) there was a "Political First Partners" WhatsApp group, they'd be there. And until October 2018, so would Miriam. But her husband has gone to Facebook to be their new Head of Global Affairs and Communications and she has (metaphorically) left the group. This week, Kevin says a great big "hola" to Miriam González Durántez. Not Mrs Clegg. By day she's an in...

Before the #MeToo movement, publicly speaking out against sexual harassment was a much riskier exercise. Calling out behaviour could find you isolated and even alienated in certain industries, both professionally and personally. Despite these risks, that's exactly what our latest guest did – challenging a senior solicitor over a now infamous message he sent via LinkedIn. In episode 12 of The Heari...

He's a controversial, no holds barred, opinionated, orator who defends the guilty and loves a good cup of Yorkshire tea. No, we're not talking about Kevin. In The Hearing's series 2 opener, Jonathan Goldberg QC invites us into a world of colourful characters and rogues. Not one to be backward about coming forward, Jonathan lets rip on the state of the "groaning and creaking criminal justice system...

Karen Jackson is an inspirational lover of problem-solving, passionate for French and a self-styled protector of the underdog. In this episode Kevin meets the founder of didlaw, one of the UK's leading disability discrimination practices. A former City trader, Karen talks candidly about the roundabout route she took into law and how a heart transplant helped guide her to a new path – setting up he...

Fans of the hugely popular Netflix documentary Making a Murderer will know this week's guest. Dean Strang was one of the defence lawyers for Steven Avery. Dean was an eloquent voice of reason throughout the series, which led to him being labelled an international sex symbol. A modest Dean tells Kevin how he first got involved in the Avery case, and how he's dealt with the wave of media and public...

The 'Diva of Divorce', Ayesha Vardag, sits down with Kevin in the luxurious Vardags offices in St. Paul's, London. They discuss Georgian mahogany, her high net-worth clientele and the Var-Bot – Ayesha's personal office robot that'll be familiar to fans of The Good Wife. During her divorce, Ayesha had an Erin Brockovich-esque transition from commercial to family law, which ultimately led to her bei...

Tory MP Ken Clarke reveals why he has occasionally dressed up in women's underwear. The former Lord Chancellor and current Father of the House of Commons also tells Kevin what he thinks of his new-found fans – drawn by his outspoken views on Brexit. This episode won't disappoint. The pair also discuss: pressure to modify Ken's Nottinghamshire accent; attending Rushcliffe beauty parades for column...

In this episode Kevin is joined by Yasmin Sheikh. Yasmin is the founder of Diverse Matters, vice-chair of the Law Society's Lawyers with Disabilities Division, consultant, coach, actress, comedian and TEDx speaker. During their conversation, Yasmin talks about her experience of being thrown into the world of disability overnight and the daily challenges she faces. Yasmin also discusses the impactf...

In this episode Kevin is joined by Sir Rupert Jackson – barrister, former Lord Justice of Appeal and legal reformer. As well as his infamous reform of civil litigation costs, Rupert has authored some of the industry's leading texts during his 50-year career. Now, back at the Bar, he talks through the fresh challenges facing lawyers, and discusses his new role as a justice in the AIFC Court and Int...

In this episode Kevin is joined by barrister Robin White. Robin was the first barrister to transition from male to female while in practice at the employment and discrimination bar. They chat about Robin's early life and career, and how dealing with personal discrimination in her late twenties became a catalyst for a career change into law. Now specialising in transgender rights, Robin offers a ca...

In this episode Kevin is joined by Lord Michael Howard of Lympne. Although best known for his time as a Government Minister and a former leader of the Conservative Party, Michael's life before Westminster involved a distinguished career at the Bar. As a vocal supporter of the 'Leave Means Leave' campaign, Michael's views on Brexit are crystal-clear, but we also hear he has some personal regret ove...

In this episode Kevin is joined by 'futurist' Joe Raczynski (@joerazz). You'll hear Joe explain what his job actually is and why we should all pay attention to cyber security. As an expert in legal technology and AI, we also explore the rise of blockchain and crypto currencies, the challenges for driverless cars and the future of the robot lawyer. Find out more at tr.com/TheHearing

In the inaugural episode of The Hearing – a legal podcast from Thomson Reuters – Kevin is joined by Dame Fiona Woolf. During their conversation they reflect on Fiona's fascinating career, including her time as president of the Law Society, and as Lord Mayor of London. They also chat about Fiona's ongoing work in promoting diversity and inclusion with the Power of Diversity programme. Listen out fo...