More Than A Lawyer with Holly Cope

Most lawyers talk about career progression as if it’s a straight line.But the reality looks a lot more like a series of pivots, risks, and moments you can’t predict.And sometimes the bravest move… is stepping away from the thing that once defined you.This episode is about those moments — and what happens when you follow them.Today I sit down with Sahar Farooqi (CEO and founder of Legalencia), a well-known face on LinkedIn who spent 15 years as a barrister before moving into legal transformation at Harneys… and eventually launching his own consultancy (Legalencia). He’s one of the few lawyers who has lived every corner of the profession: crime, civil, commercial, in-house, partner, and now founder.Sahar shares the story behind the boldest decisions of his life including leaving the bar after 15 years to step into a world most lawyers still tiptoe around: transformation.But this isn’t a conversation about innovation. It’s a conversation about reinvention.We dig into why junior lawyers are entering the most high-stakes decade the profession has ever seen, how LinkedIn unexpectedly flipped the direction of his career, and the new rules of success in a legal world where talent and technology are now in a race, and only those who adapt will win.Find more about Sahar here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahar-farooqi/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Credibility doesn’t come from your credentials. It comes from how you show up.Most lawyers still believe their degrees and titles speak for themselves.But clients don’t buy credentials, they buy clarity, confidence, and connection.And that starts with visibility. The right kind.In this episode, I’m joined by Tasleem Ahmad Fateh, founder of the LinkedIn Creators Club and the Robinhood Course — a free program helping professionals build influence and trust through authentic content.Known as the “Robin Hood of LinkedIn,” Tas has built one of the fastest-growing personal brands by giving away everything most strategists charge for.He helps lawyers, consultants, and creators turn visibility into meaningful business — without selling their soul or faking authority.We talk about why visibility isn’t the same as credibility — and how lawyers can stop chasing likes and start building trust.Tas shares honest insights on personal branding, client psychology, and showing up with purpose online.---I've wasted hours drafting contracts in my business.I knew there had to be a better way.And then I found this.Aircounsel.An AI contract drafter built by lawyers, for lawyers.Aircounsel has been kind enough to sponsor this episode.And I’m excited to spread the word. It’s the most sophisticated contract drafting software I’ve used.To get your free 7-day trial, go to the description of this episode.Give it a go and let me know how it changes your workflow.TRY Aircounsel here:https://lawyers.aircounsel.com/morethanalawyerDisclaimer: This is an affiliate link that will track podcast sign-ups.---FREE access to my How to Become Law Firms' Go-To Legal Tech Solution here:Covered In This 28-Page Blueprint:Where legal tech companies go wrong: Why thought leadership is non-negotiableHow to build a LinkedIn presence that converts visibility into authorityThe ultimate LinkedIn strategy for law firm lead generationYour podcast strategy to become a recognised voice in legal techand much more…Gain free access to your ultimate blueprint, learn how to become an authority:https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/becomealegaltechleader Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most lawyers can give advice on six-figure deals.But many can’t say, with confidence, how much they actually earn.Silence around money isn’t just awkward — it’s expensive.And for many lawyers, it’s keeping them financially stuck.Today’s episode digs into a quiet cultural norm in the legal profession that shapes careers, mental health, and long-term financial stability: salary secrecy.I’m joined by Jono Randell-Nash, ex-lawyer turned independent financial advisor for lawyers,and Carla Hoppe, former corporate solicitor, ex-Director of International Tax & Transaction Services at EY, and founder of Wealthbright, an award-winning financial education partner helping law firms build financially confident lawyers.We explore the culture of not asking, not questioning, and not talking about money in law firms — and the emotional, practical, and financial damage this silence creates.You’ll hear insights on:Why salary secrecy persists in UK legal cultureHow lack of information fuels anxiety, especially for new lawyersThe link between protected characteristics and poorer financial healthWhy financial capability depends more on education than intelligence or backgroundHow gender, mental health, and socioeconomic status shape financial outcomesThe dangers of default pensions and why the “six-figure tick box” can cost you £100,000+Why understanding risk profiles, insurance, and emergency funds should come before “the sexy stuff” like investingHow comparison culture distorts what “wealth” actually meansWhy the obsession with six-figure salaries blinds people to what actually builds long-term financial wellbeingThis conversation sheds light on a problem many lawyers suffer quietly — and provides a starting point for taking control of your financial future with clarity, confidence, and honesty.Find Carla here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlahoppe/Find Jono here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jono-randell-nash/More about Wealthbrite: https://www.wealthbrite.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most lawyers wait for the “right time” to take a leap.But what if that moment never comes?The legal world is changing faster than ever and those who redefine success, rather than chase security, are the ones shaping its future.From fear of failure to the rise of AI, this episode dives into what it really means to evolve as a modern lawyer.Ari Mike Varjabedian, founder of E-Legal Councel, a tech-driven law firm built for the remote era and one of the first to live the digital nomad lawyer life.Listen to the full episode here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/301lnVs7EghV58qOuCBTqc?si=16a7a978f03c4bf0Christine Bradshaw, Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, who breaks down the psychology behind lawyers’ risk aversion and perfectionism and how reframing success can unlock innovation.Listen to the full episode here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6A9r37Az2n0kHYwueLAP99?si=565ad0bc5adc4856Dharshi Hardina, Fractional General Counsel and Executive Coach, who explores how AI can make lawyers more human, creative, and emotionally intelligent.Listen to the full episode here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7j5v6cuOK7xLmZ4aWNV1Up?si=4c6ccc53b7814b70Rob Hanna, host of the Legally Speaking Podcast, shares his bold take on the AI boom, why most legal tech startups will fail, and what separates genuine innovation from noise.Listen to the full episode here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/156g26MKryjnuGowB3BNbK?si=5b65ffcc3323467aWe talk about risk, reinvention, and redefining success in a profession built on caution.From Ari’s leap from traditional law to remote freedom, to Christine’s reflections on perfectionism and imposter syndrome, to Dhrashi and Rob’s insights on the AI-human connection — this conversation is a blueprint for lawyers who want more than the safe path.You’ll hear how courage, mindset, and adaptability are becoming the new legal superpowers — and why the future of law belongs to those willing to jump before they’re ready.TRY Aircounsel here:https://lawyers.aircounsel.com/morethanalawyerDisclaimer: This is an affiliate link that will track podcast sign-ups.---FREE access to my How to Become Law Firms' Go-To Legal Tech Solution here:Covered In This 28-Page Blueprint:Where legal tech companies go wrong: Why thought leadership is non-negotiableHow to build a LinkedIn presence that converts visibility into authorityThe ultimate LinkedIn strategy for law firm lead generationYour podcast strategy to become a recognised voice in legal techand much more…Gain free access to your ultimate blueprint, learn how to become an authority:https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/becomealegaltechleader Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most law firms say they’re “exploring AI.”At Linklaters, they’re living it.Resistance is real, but so is the momentum.Because the lawyers who embrace change won’t just survive the AI era, they’ll define it.In this episode, I’m joined by Sonia Cisse, Partner and Head of AI & Technology at Paris office, Linklaters, one of the world’s leading international law firms.Sonia is helping shape how one of the biggest names in law integrates artificial intelligence, from internal adoption to culture, governance, and innovation.We talk about how AI is transforming the culture of law and what it takes to lead that change inside a global firm.Sonia shares candid insights on:Why lawyers resist and what finally gets them excited about AI.How Linklaters builds AI literacy across thousands of lawyers worldwide.Balancing innovation with confidentiality and client trust.Why the future of junior lawyers isn’t disappearing, it’s evolving.And how tomorrow’s lawyers will blend legal expertise with AI fluency.This conversation goes beyond hype.It’s a look inside how one of the world’s top law firms is actually implementing generative AI, responsibly, strategically, and with a sense of curiosity that’s changing what it means to be a lawyer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.