Podcast
Legally Speaking Podcast
Hosted by Legally Speaking Podcast™ · EN
Inspiring Legal Minds. Transforming Legal Futures.
The Legally Speaking Podcast, sponsored by Clio, inspires, educates and entertains. Think of it as a law library—with better snacks and standout guests.
Hosted by Rob Hanna, legal careers expert, LinkedIn Top Voice and Founder, we interview lawyers, law firm leaders, legal tech pioneers, DEI champions, and even Netflix stars.
Guests explore legal innovation, career growth, AI, wellbeing and redefining success. New episodes every Monday for the main show, with minisodes as well for quick enjoyment.
Tune in now to supercharge your legal career.
66episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Skill Over Salary | Fighting Bullies: The Case for a Career in Plaintiffs' Law - Bill Reid - S10E28
Yesterday00:37:58Tap to summarizeOn today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Bill Reid. Bill is the senior founding partner of Reid Collins, a former federal prosecutor, a two-time Benchmark Litigation U.S. Plaintiff Litigator of the Year, an adjunct professor atthe University of Texas School of Law, and the author of Fighting Bullies: The Case for a Career in Plaintiffs’ Law. Over the course of his career, he has prosecuted precedent-setting cases and recovered billions of dollars in complex commercial litigation.This episode is not just about plaintiffs’ law. It is about how the legal profession defines success, why so many talented young lawyers are funnelled down narrow paths before they really understand their options and what it actually takes to develop real trial judgment in a profession increasingly shaped by leverage, efficiency and now AI.For our UK and international listeners, think of this as a conversation about claimant-side trial work, professional formation, and whether the system is still set up to produce great courtroom lawyers.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and William discussing:- Mastering the human element remains essential for trial success - Prioritising experience over prestige - The traditional legal career model is being reshaped - AI's encroachment exposes the inefficiency of the billable hour - Irreplaceable Human Skills.Connect with Bill Reid here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamtreidiv
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LegalTechTalk 2026: How In-House Teams are Adopting Legal Tech Globally - Manuel Mesquita - E12
4d ago00:07:35Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. Manuel Mesquita is the CEO of MM Legal, a legal tech consultancy focused on closing the gap between software and real-world implementation in law firms and legal departments. He believes the real challenge isn’t just adopting AI, but getting teams aligned, open to change, and involved in shaping workflows so the technology actually delivers value. He also warns that legal departments and law firms are heading toward a pricing and service tension: if firms don’t reduce costs and adapt, clients may bring more capabilities in-house.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Manuel discussing:- AI Strategy Mattering More Than Tools- Teams Needing a Mindset Change- Client Costs and Values Shifting- Talking to Clients About Shortcomings- Adapting Workflows for Real Efficiency.Connect with Manuel Mesquita here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-mesquita-93635314/
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LegalTechTalk 2026: What Global Legal Tech Can Teach the Profession - Albert Ferré - E11
5d ago00:11:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. Albert Ferré is Vice President and CEO of the Global Legal Tech Hub, where he leads a nonprofit focused on legal technology and innovation worldwide. In the clip, he emphasises that the legal industry must stay centered on people, access to justice, and human impact rather than just software and productivity. He believes the next big shift is moving from tech adoption to rethinking the whole system, with operations, time, and empathy playing a key role in shaping the future of law. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Albert discussing:- AI Strategy Mattering More Than Adoption- Point Solutions Beating Broad Legal Tech- Access to Justice Remaining the Priority- Save Time by Rethinking Legal Workflows- Empathy and Curiosity Shaping Future Leaders.Connect with Albert Ferré here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertferre
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LegalTechTalk 2026: AI Governance, eDiscovery & the Future of Digital Trust - Jeffrey Shapiro - E10
1w ago00:08:24Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. Jeffrey Shapiro is a legal tech and future-of-law thinker who talks about how AI is changing the legal industry, but not just as a tool problem — more as a mindset, culture, and integration challenge. He focuses on breaking down silos so firms can use data intelligently, staying ahead of regulation like the EU AI Act, and keeping human trust and authenticity central as technology advances. He also emphasises curiosity, continuous learning, and community as key traits for future legal leaders, often explaining complex ideas in memorable, down-to-earth ways. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Jeffrey discussing:- Cross-silo data integration matters- Human connection builds trust- Regulatory agility is critical- Curiosity shapes future leadership- Openness improves collaboration.Connect with Jeffrey Shapiro here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtshap/
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Patrick McCann: Authentic Leadership, Social Mobility & Building the Law Firm of the Future - S10E27
1w ago01:04:35Tap to summarizeOn today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Patrick McCann.Patrick is the Chief Executive of the City of London Law Society, representing more than 21,000 solicitors and some of the largest law firms in the world. With more than 30 years of experience across legal practice, learning, development and talent strategy, Patrick has become one of the most influential voices shaping the legal profession. Before joining the London Law Society, Patrick served as the Global Director of Learning at Linklaters, and held senior leadership positions at Herbert Smith Freehills, BCLP and Bird & Bird. Today, we are exploring the future of the legal profession. We will discuss leadership, talent, social mobility, apprenticeships, legal innovation and how the legal sector can continue to evolve whilst remaining human.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Patrick discussing:- Top Talent No Longer Being Defined by Traditional Credentials- How Leadership is Measured by Authenticity & Emotional Clarity- The Legal Sector’s Evolution- A Collective Shift from Competition to Collaboration- Why We Need to Improve Senses of Purpose and Well-Being.Connect with Patrick McCann here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mccann-066017207
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LegalTechTalk 2026: Why the Best Legal Tech Demo is Rarely the Best Decision - Matthew Letts - E09
2w ago00:09:20Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. In this minisode, Matthew Letts, the founder and CEO of Codified Strategy Limited is our guest. He launched his startup in January to help lawyers make better technology decisions. He believes legal services are moving toward more digital client interactions and has built a four-day, 32-hour workweek culture to support better work-life balance. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Matthew discussing:- Tech Strategy Needing Constant Updates- Human Impact: Better Work-Life Balance- Clients Preferring Digital Services- Curiosity Driving Future Legal Leadership- Transformation Requiring Proactive Planning.Connect with Matthew Letts here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-letts-3a430a9a/
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LegalTechTalk 2026: The Lawyer of 2030: Risk, AI & Human Judgment - James Smither - E08
2w ago00:10:00Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. We get to meet James Smither in this minisode. James is the global head of risk management at Freshfields. In the conversation, he comes across as thoughtful and practical, with a strong focus on how legal careers are changing and how firms should adapt. He’s especially interested in measuring value, dealing with the impact of AI on judgment and basic skills, and making sure people around the table are aligned. He also points people to LinkedIn for more updates. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and James discussing:- AI Transformation Being Unavoidable- Insight From Data Being Valuable- Intellectual Independence Matters Most- Emotional Intelligence Drives Leadership- Resilience: Organisational, Not Individual.Connect with James Smither here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jamessmither
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LegalTechTalk 2026: Building Legal Tech for the World’s Top Law Firms - Fergus Plant - E07
2w ago00:07:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. In this minisode, Rob speaks to Fergus Plant, a co-founder at ILS, where the team there builds legal technology products, including Provision for firm formation and related workflows. He comes across as a practical, product-focused founder working at the intersection of law and tech.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Fergus discussing:- AI Strategy Being Essential Today- Point Solutions are Growing- Software Solving Repetitive Legal Tasks- Access to Justice Improving- Coachability Separating Future Leaders.Connect with Fergus Plant here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fergus-plant-374037137/
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CILEX to New York Bar: How InHouseW’s Madeleine Weber is Helping Law Students Pass the SQE - S10E26
2w ago00:43:02Tap to summarizeOn today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Madeleine Weber. Madeleine is Senior Counsel, EMEA at Sitetracker. She has had an unconventional route into the legal profession, studying-CILEx, New York Bar, QLTS and SQE2. Madeleine also runs inhousew, an education platform helping aspiring solicitors prepare for SQE2 through different resources. She is committed to supporting the next generation of solicitors, having helped 2,000 students over the past 3 years. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Madeleine discussing:- Non-Traditional Route to Qualifying as a Solicitor- Building a Successful In-House Legal Career- Overcoming Qualification Challenges with Resilience- Making SQE Preparation More Accessible for Students- Supporting the Next Generation of SolicitorsConnect with Madeleine Weber here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-weber-0261aba2
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LegalTechTalk 2026: Legal Careers, Networking and the Future Lawyer - Oliver Haddock - E06
3w ago00:17:21Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology, and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning. We've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations transforming the legal industry. Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it. In this minisode, Oliver Haddock, who was also the first ever guest on the Legally Speaking Podcast, introduces himself as someone who has moved from full-time finance into a split role focused on innovation while still doing a bit of finance work. In our conversation, he comes across as someone interested in legal community, wellbeing, and the practical side of product and innovation — especially building things that create real revenue. He also reflects on leadership, suggesting a focus on the skills and behaviours that will set future leaders apart. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Oliver discussing:- Culture Change Driving Legal Transformation- Longer Pilots Reveal True ROI- Wellbeing Improving Through Legal Innovation- Future Firms Building Client Products- Network and Brand Shape Leadership.Connect with Oliver Haddock here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-haddock-2b316a106
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