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 the final minisode of the regional edition, we talk to Simon Price. He is the Learning and Development Manager for Kennedys and he argues that high-performing legal teams are built less on output metrics alone than on a culture of learning, reflection, feedback, and knowledge-sharing. Simon tells us about hybrid leadership requiring intentional inclusion through regular opportunities to connect and collaborate, while psychological safety means people can ask for help, admit uncertainty, take considered risks and learn from mistakes without lowering standards. He also stresses that lawyers and business-services teams should work as one around the client problem, that resilience includes recognising when to pause rather than simply enduring pressure and that a curiosity mindset helps people reframe challenges and keep on improving.

You can Hear Rob and Simon talking about:
- Building learning into everyday work
- Creating connection across hybrid teams
- Encouraging speaking up and learning
- Solving client problems across teams
- Recognising limits and restoring resilience.

Connect with Simon Price - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonpricecoach

"AI will not replace lawyers, but lawyers that use AI will replace lawyers who don't."
On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, sponsored by Clio, I’m delighted to be joined by Michael McCready. Michael is the founder and managing partner of McCready Law, an experienced trial lawyer and a strong advocate for legal technology and innovation. In our discussion today, he explores how AI can support jury research, personalise courtroom arguments, simulate mock juries and improve trial preparation. However, he also warns of significant risks involving bias, juror privacy, confidentiality and AI-generated misinformation, emphasising the need for clear policies, staff training and human oversight. He also highlights AI’s potential to improve access to justice by helping smaller firms and under-resourced lawyers compete more effectively.

So why should you be listening in?
You can hear Rob and Michael discussing:
- Personalising courtroom arguments using AI
- Protecting juror privacy during AI research
- Identifying and reducing bias in jury selection
- Ensuring human oversight and accountability
- Improving trial preparation through AI.

Connect with Michael McCready here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mccready/

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!