Lawyer's Coach
SERIES 9: LAW UNSCRIPTED
In this thought-provoking series of Lawyer’s Coach, Claire Rason brings together a diverse group of voices to explore what it really means to thrive in the legal profession today. From apprenticeships that challenge the traditional route into law, to the inner work lawyers can do to coach themselves through career crossroads, each episode offers fresh perspectives and practical insights.
The series opens with Patrick McCann and Joanna Hughes, Co-CEOs of City Century, who share their mission to transform access to the profession through solicitor apprenticeships. Claire is then joined by former lawyer and coach Marcus Norton to unpack the concept of choice points and how self-coaching can empower legal professionals. Helen Burness shares her expertise on personal branding and LinkedIn, revealing what lawyers need to stand out in a digital world. Rachel Spink brings a gendered lens to the conversation, reflecting on what female lawyers truly need to succeed. And, finally, Marcus Andreasen challenges assumptions about personality and brings a fresh perspective on what it means to be contagious. Together, these conversations invite lawyers to reflect, reimagine, and take ownership of their professional journeys.
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The podcast Lawyer's Coach is sponsored by Client Talk.
EP1: The Apprenticeship Advantage
Is the traditional path into law still the best one, or is it time for a radical rethink?
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In this episode, Claire Rason is joined by Patrick McCann, Chief Executive of the City of London Law Society and Co-CEO of City Century, and Joanna Hughes, award-winning advocate for solicitor apprenticeships and fellow Co-CEO of City Century. Together, they unpack how solicitor apprenticeships are reshaping the legal profession from the ground up.
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Tune in to explore: how apprenticeships are widening access and breaking down barriers; why the legal industry needs to challenge outdated norms; and, what the future of legal careers could look like -with diversity, inclusion, and innovation at the core.​
EP2: Finding the Fun
What if the key to a more fulfilling legal career isn’t a new job, but a new mindset?
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In this inspiring episode, Claire Rason is joined by Marcus Norton, a former lawyer turned coach, who now works with purposeful people and organisations to help them thrive. Marcus shares his own journey of stepping away from the traditional legal path and into a career built around meaning, impact, and - yes - fun.
Listen in as they explore: the concept of “choice points” and how to spot them in your career; why fun isn’t frivolous; and how lawyers can begin to coach themselves toward clarity, confidence, and change
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EP3: Things I wished I had known
What does it really take to thrive as a female lawyer in today’s legal world? In this heartfelt and honest episode, Claire Rason is joined by Rachel Spink, Employment Law Partner at Gunnercooke LLP and Founder of the Female Lawyer’s Club. Rachel opens up about her personal journey through the legal profession, sharing the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs that shaped her path.
Tune in for: a candid conversation on perfectionism and how it shows up in legal careers; insights into building confidence in a high-pressure profession; and real talk about the work-life juggle and what balance truly means.
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EP4: Do lawyers have a personality type?
In this eye-opening episode, Claire Rason sits down with behavioural scientist and coach Martin Andreasen, co-founder of B-Contagious, a company shaking up the world of psychometrics. Together, they dive into the psychology of lawyers and ask: Do legal professionals share a personality type, or are they simply shaped by their environment?
You’ll hear: why context matters; how self-awareness can be a game-changer for personal and team performance; and, what it really means to “thrive” in the legal profession. This episode invites you to reflect on your own journey and discover how understanding yourself can help you lead others more effectively.
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EP5: Rethinking Risk and Neurodiversity in Law
In this episode, Claire sits down with James Smither, Global Head of Risk Management at Freshfields and founder of the Legal Neurodiversity Network (LNN).
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James shares his unconventional journey into law and offers a candid look at how law firms approach risk, and discusses why a more holistic, forward-looking model is essential in today’s climate of geopolitical uncertainty, AI disruption, and shifting social expectations.
The conversation then pivots to James’s personal and professional passion: neurodiversity. As both a parent carer and someone diagnosed with autism and ADHD, James brings a deeply human lens to the challenges and opportunities facing neurodivergent individuals in law.
From myth-busting stereotypes to practical steps law firms can take to support neurodivergent talent and parent carers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building a more empathetic, resilient, and future-ready legal profession.
EP6: Breaking the Law
In this episode, Claire Rason sits down with Helen Burness, a trailblazer in legal marketing, founder of Saltmarsh Marketing, and co-founder of Helen Squared. Helen shares her remarkable journey from tech PR to big law, through Chambers, and into the realm of legal consultancy. With candid reflections on culture shock, hierarchy, and the challenges of being a woman in law, Helen opens up about the intentional career moves that shaped her path, including her pivotal role in building flexible legal models and her involvement in the She Breaks the Law movement.
With insights into personal branding, the power of LinkedIn, and how social media is democratising legal marketing, this is a must-listen for anyone passionate about change, inclusion, and innovation in law.
