
Welcome to Season 2 of Accutrainee’s Podcast: Conversations in Law Join us for the second season of Conversations in Law, Accutrainee’s podcast designed for everyone in the legal profession, from aspiring solicitors and trainees to paralegals, in-house legal teams, and legal counsel at all levels. Whether you’re a general counsel, senior legal counsel, or part of a dynamic legal team, these episodes offer valuable insights for your professional journey. This season features thought-provoking roundtable debates, deep dives into critical areas of law, and candid interviews with leading legal professionals across the Accutrainee network. Gain practical advice, inspiration, and cutting-edge strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities in the legal world. Whether you’re just starting as a trainee or managing a thriving in-house legal team, Conversations in Law provides perspectives that benefit legal professionals at every stage. Don’t miss out—listen in and stay ahead in the ever-evolving legal landscape.
Episodes

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
S:2- Ep:6 - Conversations in Law - Scholarship Programme - Interview with Samuel
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
In this episode, Accutrainee's training principal Meera Ferguson interviews Samuel Omotayo, an Accutrainee Scholar who recently qualified through Accutrainee's scholarship programme.

Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Meera talks with Henry Raine, former equity Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, GC of Wonga.com and recently retired Managing Director of IBM Promontory.
Henry has forty years’ experience advising Boards and CEOs on legal, regulatory and financial issues, as well as reputation management and strategy. Throughout his career Henry has been heavily involved in recruiting both at junior and partner level.

Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
S:2- Ep:4 – Conversations in Law – Scholarship Programme - Interview with Jasmine
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
In this episode, Accutrainee's training principal Meera Ferguson interviews Jasmine McGregor, an Accutrainee Scholar going through her second seat of Qualifying Work Experience. Jasmine talks about her experience as a trainee solicitor and as an Accutrainee Scholar.

Wednesday May 17, 2023
S:2- Ep:3 - Conversations in Law - Mental Health Awareness
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
In this episode of Conversations in Law, join some of the Accutrainee head office team as we delve into the significance of mental health awareness week, taking place from the 15th to the 21st of May 2023. We speak about the progress that has been made in our industry in recent years, as well as the difference between sympathy and empathy, and individually beneficial mindfulness techniques.
We hope that this week gives you an opportunity to focus on your own mental health and work/life balance.

Tuesday May 02, 2023
S:2- Ep: 2 - Conversations in Law - Secrets of my Success Part 2
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
In the second half of our "Secrets of my Success" panel conversation, Accutrainee Director of Operations, Meera Ferguson, discusses pathways into the legal profession and ways to make yourself stand out as a junior lawyer. Featuring Amy Cunningham (Associate, Boutique Law), Jessica Bannerman Arnold (Legal Counsel, Christie's), Maria Doran (Associate CMS) & Oliver Knight (Legal Counsel, Shard Capital).

Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
S:2- Ep:1 - Conversations in Law - Secrets of my Success Part 1
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
In the first part of our "Secrets of my Success" panel conversation, Accutrainee Director of Operations, Meera Ferguson, discusses pathways and advice for those entering the legal industry with a group of industry leading experts. Featuring Gareth Jones (Head of Legal for Uber Boat & Thames Clipper), Mark Donald (Managing Director at Brotherton Capital), Robin Fisher (General Counsel at EMEA Randstad) & Veronika Koroleva (Partner at Gunnercooke LLP).

Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Season 1, Episode 6: Networking with Giles Thompson
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
A key feather in the cap of any 21st Century Lawyer is the ability to network. Networking not only opens up potential job opportunities and experience but also for the established lawyer, networking is a way to reach new clients.
In this episode Hobz is joined by networking expert Giles Thompson, the Head of Growth at legal tech company Avvoka. His experience both as an Associate at Kirkland & Ellis and working for a more 'traditional' business has allowed him to perfect networking in law. Giles shares some tips on how to network more effectively and discusses how networking has changed since the outbreak of COVID and the start of lockdown.

Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Season 1, Episode 5: Conversation with Tara Sherbrooke
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
In this episode, Hobz is joined by Tara Sherbrooke, GC of YouGov, about her career in house and the factors that she considered before moving from Private Practice.
Tara discusses her decision to pursue a career in law after a degree in Cellular and Molecular Pathology and her decision to leave the Private Practice world of Osborne Clarke to follow the in-house route. Tara gives a fascinating insight into the factors that influence these decisions and shares some tips on how to make the correct decision for ourselves.

Friday Mar 12, 2021
Season 1, Episode 4: Innovation
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
With the change in how legal services are provided, as non-law firms look at offering legal services, Law Firms need to adapt how they operate and at the core of this drastic change lies Innovation.
To get to the bottom of how law firms are changing and where the future of legal services lie we talk to Jeremy Coleman, Head of Innovation at Norton Rose Fulbright about his role in and thoughts on the future of legal services.
For more information on this episode and any other episode please visit the Accutrainee website
Jeremy Coleman began his career working for a number of start-up companies with a focus on technology. From there he decided to pursue a career in law ending up as a trainee for Norton Rose Fulbright before moving into the process and technology role at their Newcastle Hub. From there he has been appointed their Head of Innovation for the EMEA region.

Friday Feb 26, 2021
Season 1, Episode 3: Conversation with Ehsan Haque
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
The private practice career: the path from trainee to associate to partner, is widely trodden by lawyers, aspiring or current. However, the in-house route is rarely showcased or covered at career fairs, online etc. In this episode Hobz talks to one solicitor who has chosen to 'stray' from the known path and forge a successful career as an in-house lawyer.
Ehsan Haque began his career as a trainee solicitor at Slaughter and May. This was followed very quickly by a career in the financial sector. Ehsan went from Abbey National Treasury Services to Deutsche Bank, RBS, Nomura, Citadel, Credit Suisse, Lendingblock, CIBC Capital Markets, Alphaswap and he is currently the Global Head of Legal and Compliance at the equity firm Hamilton Capital Holdings.
Hobz and Ehsan discuss his decision to pursue an in-house career, his current life compared to his life in private practice, the benefits of in-house working and the position he now finds himself in as a client to law firms.