Counsel Culture: The Business of Law Podcast

In this week’s episode of Counsel Culture the team returns to a question sitting behind many of the biggest stories in politics, business and the legal market: what happens when trust starts to break down? Linzi Goldthorpe, Ben Girdlestone and Alex Novarese discuss Keir Starmer’s communication challenge, the gap between personal integrity and public perception, and why authenticity can be difficult to project even when the underlying story should be strong. The episode also looks at the insider trading scandal shaking the legal industry, the role of culture and conduct in reputation, and what leaders need to do when confidence has been lost. From politics to law firm leadership, the discussion explores why trust is not built by words alone. It depends on behaviour, consistency and the ability to communicate in a way that feels credible. Thank you for listening.

In this episode of Counsel Culture, Linzi and Ben explore the forces reshaping the legal market. They discuss private equity’s growing influence on firms, the gap between AI ambition and real-world adoption, and new research revealing a stark disconnect between general counsel and the C-suite on legal’s value. They also reflect on geopolitical uncertainty, insights from the US market, and Byfield’s work supporting former Vodafone franchisees. Thank you for listening.

Just ahead of International Women's Day, Linzi speaks with Dana Denis-Smith OBE — solicitor, entrepreneur and a leading campaigner for gender equality in the legal profession. Dana is the founder and CEO of Obelisk Support, a legal services business designed to retain experienced lawyers through flexible and remote work, and the founder of the First 100 Years and Next 100 Years projects.  They discuss the progress women have made in law and the structural challenges that still remain.  Thank you for Listening!

 This week, Linzi is joined by Patrick McCann, Chief Executive of the City of London Law Society, to explore what principled leadership looks like in City of London law right now, and how the profession can lead with both profit and purpose. They discuss City Century (solicitor apprenticeships), Patrick’s award-winning LGBTQ+ leadership programme #TheLLP!, and the culture shifts shaping modern firms, from confidence and care to collaboration over competition.  Read more about:  City of London Law Society City Century DiverCity in Law  Thank you for Listening!

This week, Linzi and Ben unpack claims that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest was triggered by a report based on media coverage compiled by Republic, as the campaign group pushes for a private prosecution of the former royal and questions swirl over the evidential and political backdrop. They also examine Taylor Wessing’s hunt for external investors to back its start-up funding vehicle Outpace, and what it signals about law firms’ growing appetite for alternative capital and tech-enabled growth strategies. The pair then turn to why mega law firm mergers fall apart – and how much firms actually get paid when transformative tie-ups collapse – before heading to New York, where the law firm space race is intensifying and Linklaters is expanding its office footprint by more than 50%. Finally, they discuss a closely watched court case on whether bankers can be fired for demanding sleep, and a £1m claim brought by homeowners against a developer over a badly fitted lavatory, exploring what both disputes reveal about workplace culture, liability and the limits of employer responsibility. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Linzi is joined by Alex Novarese, former Legal Business Editor and Head of Content and Digital Marketing at HSF Kramer. The pair discuss the latest RollOnFriday Best Law Firms to Work At 2026 survey, which shows improving morale across the profession despite ongoing frustrations around pay, before turning to Taylor Wessing’s financials, where a £10.3m top-earner figure highlights widening partner pay gaps ahead of the firm’s approved transatlantic merger with Winston & Strawn. They also examine how the Magic Circle firms have performed in recent years, as traditional UK elites face sustained pressure from global competitors and shifting client demands. Thank you for Listening!

Linzi and Ben explore the growing role of private equity investment within the legal sector and what it could mean for the future shape and ownership of law firms. They also examine the unraveling of a decade-long alliance between four leading European firms, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Chiomenti, Gleiss Lutz and Cuatrecasas, spanning 27 offices and around 2,000 lawyers across the continent. The pair also discuss how the UK’s merger clearance process is being sped up with government backing and what it means for deal scrutiny, after the CMA blocked no mergers last year. Finally, they look at how some general counsel are being drawn into succession planning conversations, including the question of whether GCs should play a role in hiring their own successors, before turning to Osborne Clarke’s data-driven approach to sustainability and decarbonisation planning. Thank you for Listening!

Linzi is joined by Georgina Bennett-Warner, Head of Marketing at Wedlake Bell, to unpack what it really takes to deliver a successful law firm rebrand - from recognising the early signs that your brand is no longer fit for purpose to managing the internal change that comes with it. They explore how Georgina built an inclusive branding committee spanning all levels of the firm, the tools and tactics that helped bring people along during the launch, and how Wedlake Bell balanced its heritage with a more modern identity. The conversation also looks at what “bedding in” the brand means in practice, how success is measured beyond the visuals, and what Georgina would do differently next time. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Linzi was joined by Michael Estill and Sam Nicholls from Kindleworth to explore why more partners are leaving big law to launch boutique firms — and what it really takes to make a successful spin-out work. Drawing on Kindleworth’s experience supporting dozens of new firm launches, they unpack the motivations behind going independent and the realities partners need to confront before taking the leap. The conversation also looks at how to assess whether a spin-out is genuinely viable versus moving firms and how Kindleworth’s operational model differs from traditional big law support. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on platform firms and specialisation, and practical advice for lawyers who are “thinking about it” but haven’t yet made the move. Thank you for Listening!

In this week’s episode, Linzi and Ben explore the rise of private equity investment in the legal industry and what it signals for the future of law firm ownership. They also break down A&O Shearman’s first post-merger accounts and discuss just how challenging it is to manage PR around major legal mergers. The pair also discuss Clifford Chance’s move to cut around 10% of its London business services roles, before turning to the 2025 Budget and the government’s decision to scrap planned national insurance increases for LLP Partners. Thank you for Listening!

In this week’s episode, Michael and Eleanor discuss AI law firm Garfield taking on a trainee in Channel 4’s latest experiment, the rise of a New York-based law firm operating fully remotely without associates and powered by AI, new moves toward greater tax regulation transparency, the FCA’s decision to take on responsibility for anti-money laundering in the legal sector, the court transparency pilot, and more.  Thank you for Listening!

Exciting news! Our Associate Director, Linzi, will be hosting the podcast going forward, bringing insights and conversations from across the legal industry.  In this week’s episode, Linzi is joined by Joint Managing Director Ben to discuss law firms pushing back on the latest lawmaker letters, the impact that AI has had on big law’s C-Suite, Setfords receiving private equity backing and the impact it’s had, the latest ALM 200 results, and more.  Thank you for Listening!

This week, Ben is joined by Account Director Eleanor to explore Clifford Chance’s recent rebrand, reflect on how Charlie Kirk’s passing highlights the risks for lawyers sharing views online, and discuss whether the UK legal market still exists.  Thank you for Listening!

This week Joint Managing Directors Ben and Michael discuss the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards and supplement, the UK's £31 billion tech deal with the US, Mishcon de Reya's new strategy and what Charlie Kirk's passing might mean for the legal sector. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Habiba Cullen-Jafar, Senior Reporter at Law.com International, to discuss her beat and what makes a compelling legal story. Their conversation also explores US law firms expanding into London, how their profitability compares to UK counterparts, and the latest trends shaping lateral hiring. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Joint Managing Director Michael Evans to explore law firm profit announcements, the changing landscape of bonus systems, the rise of UK class action values to £155 billion despite fewer filings, the Law Society’s taxpayer-funded push into the US, and the leadership changes at Pogust Goodhead following the appointment of a new management team. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Eleanor and Ben to discuss Clifford Chance’s openness to M&A and private equity investment and what this signals for the future of law firm ownership. They also look at the rise of disputes boutique Quillon, which has generated £10 million in revenue over four years. The episode also explores Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron's defamation claim against a right-wing podcaster and the legal implications of City trader Tom Hayes’ successful appeal against his libor-rigging conviction. They round off the episode with highlights from Law.com’s Top 10 AI blunders, reflecting on what they reveal about the intersection of tech and legal practice. Thank you for Listening!

For our 100th episode of Counsel Culture, Olivia speaks with Melinda Wallman, Chair and Global Practice Leader at Macrae, about how the rise of private capital is transforming legal recruitment. They explore the contrasting dynamics between the US and UK markets, and delve into Melinda’s perspectives on why private capital has become such a sought-after area for hiring, what firms are prioritising, and how this shift is reshaping legal career paths. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by William Peake, Global Managing Partner at Harneys. They sit down to discuss William’s career journey and what shaped his path to leadership, as well as the vital role law firm leaders play in shaping the day-to-day culture of their firms. William also shares how he built a large and engaged audience on LinkedIn and what kind of content resonates most with his followers. The conversation also explores the often-underestimated role of middle managers in maintaining a positive and productive workplace culture.  Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Clare Murray, Managing Partner at CM Murray and Chair of the CLSC Communications Committee. They explore the origins of CM Murray, how the firm has evolved over the years, and what sets it apart. The conversation also covers the upcoming IFSEA conference, including its guest speakers and the key topics on the agenda. Clare also shares insights into her role as Chair of the Communications Committee for the City of London Solicitors’ Company. In addition, she reflects on her experience as a specialist advisor to the Women and Equalities Select Committee during its enquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace.  Thank you for Listening!