An inside look at life at the Bar.
Orlagh Kelly sits down with barristers, chambers staff, and legal professionals to talk about their careers, the challenges they face, and the issues shaping the profession. From AI and neurodiversity to mental health and the future of clerking, each conversation goes beyond the day job.
Every conversation.
Days after retiring as Director General of the Bar Standards Board, Mark Neale joins Orlagh for a candid conversation on the future of legal regulation, the cab rank rule, COVID's lasting effect on the BSB, and where AI fits into the modern Bar.
AI and data protection specialist Alex Ustych on how barristers should engage with AI tools, the problem of AI sycophancy, and three core rules for using AI responsibly in legal work.
In a second conversation as she bids farewell to the Bar, Kathryn Stone OBE reflects on seven years leading the BSB, the profession's biggest strengths and toughest challenges, and the future of regulation.
Bibi Badejo on the psychological pressures faced by advocates, common gaps in legal education, and strategies for building confidence in courtroom delivery.
Three decades in the clerks' room. Jayne Drake on the future of clerking as a career, how culture varies between London and regional sets, and the inevitable role of AI.
With nearly 30 years in the legal sector, Sarah Longden reflects on her path from marketing to leadership, the evolution of marketing within chambers, and the importance of relationships and consistency.
Over two decades at the Criminal Bar. Farrhat Arshad KC on the psychological toll of traumatic cases, the pressures placed on young barristers, and why senior practitioners must step up.
Known as the first-ever appointed Chief Executive in the chambers world, Vincent Denham delivers a masterclass in chambers management drawn from leading seven legal entities.
High-profile criminal barrister Chris Daw KC on his methodical mastery of judge and jury trials, the influence of media on publicised cases, and his parallel career in broadcasting.
After 25 years in the charity sector, James Whiting became CEO of Doughty Street Chambers in 2022. He discusses the ethos of the set, the profession from an outsider's perspective, and the importance of a chambers' roster.
Kathryn Stone OBE on integrity, justice and the future of legal standards, including the BSB's proposal to change barristers' core duties on equality, diversity and inclusion.
After 34 years at 3PB specialising in crime and regulatory law, Nigel Lickley KC joined the judiciary in 2018. He discusses the view from the bench, diversity in the judiciary, and advice for judicial applicants.
Senior Clerk Andrew Love candidly discusses his relationship with alcohol as a clerk, the drinking culture around chambers, and how a 'one year no beer' challenge changed his personal and professional life.
The first female Head of Chambers at St Pauls, Denise Breen-Lawton KC on changing etiquette at the Bar, how family alters attitudes towards criminal work, and creating opportunity for undiscovered talent.
Former RASSO barrister Nikki Alderson on a pivotal Death Row case in Jamaica, her move from the Bar into coaching, and empowering female lawyers through tailored support.
Practising barrister Mass Ndow-Njie on finding an alternative route to the Bar after a setback, and his vision in founding Bridging the Bar to widen access for underrepresented groups.
Family and children partner Keeley Lengthorn on founding George's Law after personal loss, what organisations can do to support employees, and destigmatising baby loss in the profession.
Nicholas O'Neill on the move from litigation to championing men's mental health in the profession.
Appointed one of the youngest ever Senior Clerks in 2017, Emily Martin on her rapid rise through the ranks, her chambers' merger, and the continuous learning that comes with leadership.
From receptionist in the early 90s to Senior Clerk at 11KBW, Lucy Barbet on the buzz around clerking, her personal struggles, and becoming the first female chair of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks.
A "Legend of the Bar" who began clerking in the early 70s, David Goddard on the evolution of the chambers world across 50 years and timeless advice for younger clerks.
Director General Mark Neale on how the Bar is coping post-pandemic, the most pressing issues facing the profession, tensions with the Bar Council on EDI, and what a new Labour government means for the Bar.
Silk and certified executive coach James Pereira KC on burnout, what happens when lifelong values collide with workplace culture, and the three areas of technical skills, relationships and presence.
From junior clerk in 1983 to co-founder of The Barrister Group, Stephen Ward on the true meaning of clerking, fusing the chambers and business models, and expanding pupillage opportunity.
Sophie Stevens on switching from theatre to the Bar, founding Neurodiversity in Law from a tweet, how far reasonable adjustments can go, and the untapped potential of neurodivergent barristers.
Family law barrister Imogen Robins on her experience as a young female barrister in the '90s, founding Legally Flushed to connect women in law, and the knowledge older women can pass to newer generations at the Bar.
A family law specialist of over 20 years and Head of Chambers since 2016, Tina Cook KC on her journey to the Bar through defiance, a post-pandemic chambers move, and what it is really like to lead.
Central to DEKA Chambers' new identity since 2018, Gordon Walters on stumbling into chambers as an interim CEO, members' rights in workplace decisions, and the fresh start a chambers merger demands.
Northern Ireland barrister Michael Bready on achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification, and his views on hot topics at the Bar from AI to mental health awareness.
Business development expert Bernard Savage on why BD is crucial to a career at the Bar, how to use platforms like LinkedIn effectively, and the idea that "people buy people" when seeking counsel.
At The 36 Group since 2009, Rowan Caffull on finding his role through trial and error, viewing operations through a unique lens, and how imposter syndrome can affect anyone from the top down.
HerBar co-founders Nasreen Shah and Rachel Bale on their motivation for building a platform to support women barristers' careers, the hardships of pupillage, and the role men can play at the Bar.
Former barrister turned tech entrepreneur Natalie Connor on her eight years at the Bar, the reasons she moved on, and what life after the Bar can look like for those feeling the same.
Three perspectives on the profession.
Each episode falls into one of three categories, reflecting the different roles that make chambers work.
Practising barristers and leaders of chambers talk about their careers, the issues they care about, and how the profession is changing. Topics have ranged from AI and advocacy to mental health at the Criminal Bar.
Senior clerks, chambers directors, and COOs discuss what it takes to run a modern set. From the essence of clerking to the pillars of legal marketing, these conversations go behind the scenes of chambers life.
Regulators, judges, campaigners, and professionals from beyond the Bar. These episodes widen the lens to cover the forces that shape the profession from the outside, from loss stigma in law to the view from the bench.
Orlagh Kelly
Orlagh is a barrister and the founder and CEO of Briefed. She started the company in 2011 after practising at the Bar, and now leads a team of seven delivering compliance training and advisory to 150+ sets of chambers across England and Wales.
On the podcast, Orlagh draws on her relationships across the profession to have the kind of conversations that rarely happen publicly. The format is simple: one guest, one conversation, no script.
We regularly invite barristers, clerks, chambers directors, and people from across the legal sector to share their perspective. If you have a story or a topic you think the profession should hear, get in touch.
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