Legally Speaking Podcast

Welcome back to our 2026 edition of the Professional Training miniseries. We have a brand new regional edition continuing on from the last conference we attended, but packed with even more highlights and insights. Filmed at Manchester Hall, these minisodes explore high performance leadership, career growth, innovation and what it takes to thrive in today’s legal world.

In this minisode, we talk to Sally Hulston, an employment lawyer and head of Lewis Silkin’s Manchester office. She shares a people-first view of high performance in legal teams. Sally argues that success goes beyond traditional metrics, relying on clarity of role, deliberate leadership visibility, psychological safety, and accountability that gives people room to take ownership. Sally also highlights the importance of bringing lawyers and business services together from the outset, building resilience through the ability to reset after setbacks, and creating more open one-to-one conversations that focus on how people are doing—not just their output.

You can Hear Rob and Sally talking about:
- Performance Needing Purpose, Not Just Metrics
- Collaboration Growing Through Deliberate Visibility
- Psychological Safety: Speaking Up Early
- Accountability Giving People Ownership
- Resilience Being All About Recovery, Not Endurance.

Connect with Sally Hulston -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-hulston-55668419/

“The road less traveled is so much more interesting than that very traditional linear path that people lay out for you.” - Samuel McGinty

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, sponsored by Clio, I’m delighted to be speaking with Samuel McGinty. Samuel is the Director of Legal Services at the University of Nottingham, he shares a candid account of building a fulfilling, non-linear legal career across private practice, local government and higher education. He also argues that the right workplace culture and values alignment matter more than prestige or salary alone, highlighting the breadth, purpose and development opportunities available in public-sector and in-house roles. 

Today, our discussion explores leadership, psychological safety, mentorship, professional community, parenthood and mental health, alongside the need to make alternative legal career paths more visible. Samuel reflects on AI’s potential to improve legal work while stressing the importance of securing learning opportunities for junior lawyers.

So why should you be listening in? 
You can hear Rob and Samuel discussing:
- Your Environment Mattering More Than Your Job Title
- Life Beyond Private Practice
- Your Legal Career Not Needing to Be Linear
- Building a Culture of Psychological Safety and Authenticity
- Prioritising Wellbeing, Relationships and Life Beyond Work.

Connect with Samuel McGinty here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/samuelmcginty

Visit the Law Student Academy Here
In today’s episode, we dive deep into the complexities of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with industry veterans Jake and James. Together, they bring a wealth of experience to the table, discussing how students can effectively prepare for the SQE and distinguish between quality and subpar educational resources.

Understanding the SQE
The SQE is a challenging exam designed to assess the readiness of aspiring solicitors. As James points out, the latest results show a pass rate of only 42%. While this statistic highlights the difficulty of the exam, it doesn’t necessarily mean the SQE is broken. Instead, it points to the need for discipline and a solid preparation plan.
“Something being hard doesn’t mean it’s broken. It just means it requires a lot of discipline to get through it.” — James

Identifying Quality Educational Resources
Jake emphasizes that effective educational resources should cater to different learning styles and offer unique teaching methods. With a plethora of options available, students must be discerning:
– Engagement: Look for materials that engage you as a learner.
– Diversity in Learning: Resources should accommodate various learning preferences—whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.
– Relevance and Updates: Ensure that the materials are current and accurate.
Jake warns against relying solely on AI-generated content, as it often lacks the depth and empathy needed for effective learning. Instead, students should seek out resources created by professionals with genuine experience in the field.

The Role of AI in Learning
While AI can be a helpful tool, James cautions against over-reliance. The key is to use AI as a supplement, not a substitute, for genuine understanding:
“Learning should be hard. Avoid the temptation to outsource your thinking to AI.” — James

The Future of the SQE
The SRA is taking steps to engage more with the profession, which could lead to improvements in the exam. Changes like reducing the number of questions from 180 to 170 aim to alleviate some of the pressure on students. James believes these adjustments show promise for a more accessible and fair assessment process.

Conclusion
As the landscape of legal education evolves, it’s crucial for students to remain vigilant and informed. With the right resources and techniques, they can navigate the challenges of the SQE successfully. If you’re preparing for the SQE, consider the insights shared by Jake and James as you choose your path forward.
To hear more about their experiences and get additional tips for your SQE preparation, listen to the full episode now!

Welcome back to our 2026 edition of the Professional Training miniseries. We have a brand new regional edition continuing on from the last conference we attended, but packed with even more highlights and insights. Filmed at Manchester Hall, these minisodes explore high performance leadership, career growth, innovation and what it takes to thrive in today’s legal world.
Today, returning guest Nadine Stanton of Professional Training reflects on creating more engaging, regionally accessible conferences for law firm leaders. Nadine shares her perspective on what makes teams perform at their best: clear goals, strong communication, psychological safety, defined roles, and shared values. She also discusses the power of interactive learning, community, and creating spaces where leaders can speak openly, challenge ideas respectfully, and leave energised with practical insights.

You can Hear Rob and Nadine talking about:
- Aligning Teams Around Shared Goals
- Measuring Performance Against Personal Standards
- Staying Curious After Achieving Success
- Encouraging Respectful Challenge Within Teams
- Designing Events For Active Participation

Connect with Nadine Stanton -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/professional-training/

“Fundamentally, it’s about people — and it always is about people.” - John Hutchinson

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by John Hutchinson. John is the managing partner of Broadfield UK, helping build a fast-growing international law firm around technology, client service, and pragmatic pricing. With a background in corporate law, private equity, and law-firm leadership, he sees modern legal services becoming more integrated with clients and less reliant on traditional hourly-rate models. His approach to growth centers on hiring entrepreneurial, resilient people; moving decisively; investing in technology without losing professional judgment; and maintaining trust, integrity, and a strong client-focused culture as the firm expands internationally.

So why should you be listening in?
You can hear Rob and John discussing:
- Embracing AI and Technology to Transform Legal Services
- Building Client-Centred Relationships Through Greater Collaboration
- Moving Beyond the Billable Hour Towards Value-Based Pricing
- Scaling Internationally While Maintaining Culture and Quality
- Attracting Entrepreneurial Talent Through Innovation and Opportunity.

Our episode is featured here on the Broadfield UK site - https://broadfieldlaw.com/news-events/uk-managing-partner-john-hutchinson-discusses-scaling-law-firms-in-the-age-of-ai-on-the-legally-speaking-podcast/

Connect with John Hutchinson here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/john-hutchinson-bdbpitmans