Pursuing a career in law may often feel overwhelming, considering that you are expected to spend most of your time studying, while also applying for Training Contracts/Mini-Pupillages and, above all, you also need to become accustomed with what is happening in the world, learn about how companies operate and become a small expert in business. To put it simply, in order to become a successful legal professional, you need to know a lot. But who has the time for all of this?
This is why, from my perspective, podcasts are so useful:
- they are accessible and (most of them) free;
- you can listen to them anywhere: while on the tube when you are going to school, while you are cycling or driving (responsibly!) or before you go to sleep;
- there are several podcasts for most of the topics one can think of;
- they are a great way to learn new things without fully focusing your attention on them.
That being said, here are some very interesting podcasts that law students should consider listening to:
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Law Pod UK – this podcast is brought to you by barristers at One Crown Office Row. It covers developments across aspects of civil and public law in the UK. With more than 170 episodes already, you can stay up to date with recent developments in medical law, and gain an insight into the role of law in tackling climate change, whether AI can become a patent inventor, advice on how to get pupillage and interviews with leading professionals, including Margaret Bowron KC.
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Linkubator ( Linklaters) – a student-led innovation podcast series, designed to help students who want to develop their understanding of how innovation and emerging technologies are transforming the legal sector. Episodes include conversations with experts and legal innovators on a number of topics, including AI in the legal industry and the challenges it could pose, and the use of analytics and data in law.
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The Intelligence, The Economist – this is a great podcast for aspiring lawyers looking to delve beyond the news that’s making the headlines worldwide to impress firms at interview. With episodes just over 20 minutes long, you can learn about AI and the future of search and what a post-oil future might look like.
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BBC Radio 4 Best of Today – the Best of Today podcast challenges key policy makers on the latest news stories and features insight, analysis and expert debate, which will support your developing commercial awareness. The latest episodes include conversations on the flying objects being shot down over North America, whether ChatGPT can write a Valentine’s sonnet, and driverless cars and human autonomy.
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Law: Firming It – launched at the end of 2022, this new podcast features insights and advice from law graduates Simran and Amelia on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and more. Episodes are currently being released weekly with the most recent discussions on surviving SQE exam season and ways to bulk up your CV.
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Talking Law – Sally Penni, the founder and chair of Women in the Law UK and multi-award-winning barrister, hosts this brilliant podcast. It provides insight into the careers of leading figures in UK law, with discussions focusing on the highs and lows of their careers, as well as the challenges and realities they’ve faced in the legal profession. Recent guests include Lord David Pannick KC, Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas, and Chad Doellinger.
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Legally Speaking Podcast – this podcast is hosted by Rob Hanna, an expert in legal careers and content creation, and provides listeners with accessible insights from reputable guests, including Dana Denis-Smith, lawyer and founder of the First 100 Years programme.
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UK Law Weekly – a weekly podcast on legal decisions and news. Find out about the latest cases and reviews from the courts with Marcus Cleaver, a former university lecturer in law. The latest episodes include a look at Fearn v Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery (a claim brought against the gallery by nearby residents), how long planning permission should be good for, as well as a conversation on the conditions a local authority can impose on a landowner who’s looking to develop a piece of land.
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Herbert Smith Freehills Podcast – lawyers from global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills discuss a whole host of thought-provoking topics on their regular podcast. Episodes on class actions in England and Wales, the National Security and Investment Act in the context of public M&A transactions, and environmental, social and governance will be of interest to students wanting to hear how legal experts talk about contemporary legal and commercial issues.
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Get legally speaking with Hatti Suvari – this is a multi-award-winning podcast with insights on various matters, including divorce, children disputes, employee and employer rights, and building or neighbourly disputes. With more than 130 episodes featuring jargon-free legal knowledge on a variety of topics, this podcast is a great place to start for aspiring lawyers.