The Hearing – A Legal Podcast
Thomson Reuters
The Hearing is a legal podcast from Thomson Reuters. Listen to insightful discussions with lawyers, legal experts, and other interesting people connected to the legal industry. We delve into anything and everything – trailblazers in the law, the latest insights on legal innovation and trends, and how the profession is evolving. With hosts based in the UK and the US, we cover issues around the globe. Our hosts: Becky Annison – Trained at a London law firm before moving in-house. Spent 12 years as a senior solicitor in a large international company, before joining Practical Law's In-house practice area team. Now, as Head of Engagement for The Chancery Lane Project, Becky uses her knowledge of contracting and law to help tackle the climate crisis. Janelle Wrigley – An attorney based in California. As head of the Antitrust & Competition team at Practical Law, leads a team of lawyers producing practical guidance for competition lawyers worldwide. Previously, Janelle was a litigator at the US Federal Trade Commission and at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York. Jennifer Thibodaux – An attorney, speaker, and writer based in New Jersey. A member of the Litigation team at Practical Law, where she creates procedural and substantive content, plus professional development resources. Previously, Jennifer was a partner at Gibbons P.C. in Newark, New Jersey, focusing on commercial litigation. Lauren Sobel – An attorney, editor, and frequent presenter on trending legal topics based in New York City. At Practical Law, she uses her experience as a litigator and federal law clerk in multiple jurisdictions to help other attorneys in their practice. Before joining Thomson Reuters, Lauren was a partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP in Miami, Florida, specialising in business litigation. Teneé Frazier – An attorney, editor, and speaker based in Alabama. As a member of the State and Local Government team at Practical Law, she uses her expertise in municipal law to produce substantive content for local government attorneys. Previously, Teneé was Assistant General Counsel at the Alabama League of Municipalities. Yasmin Sheikh – Executive coach, trainer, consultant, and speaker, with a background as a lawyer – practising for 12 years in a large international law firm. Founder of Diverse Matters – which helps promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity within organisations. Yasmin is also a former vice chair of the Disabled Solicitors Network at the Law Society of England and Wales. Find out more about The Hearing and other Thomson Reuters podcasts at tr.com/thehearing.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 14, 2025 • 41min
EP. 177 – Luke Shaefer (The Injustice of Place)
Join host Teneé Frazier as she sits down with Professor Luke Shaefer, an expert on poverty and social welfare policy, for an in-depth look at the complexities of living in poverty in the US. They discuss the realities faced by those surviving on minimal resources, and what legal professionals and global listeners can glean from these powerful narratives.
Professor Shaefer shares observations from his extensive research on the realities of poverty, and shares insights from the books he co-authored, “$2 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America” and “The Injustice of Place”. Whether you're a legal practitioner, policymaker, or simply interested in the intersection of law, social justice, and real-world impact, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the challenges of tackling poverty within a legal framework.Tune in to hear Teneé and Luke unpack the human stories behind the statistics and consider what justice truly means for those most in need.
7 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 56min
EP. 176 – Mark Stephens (Howard Kennedy)
Mark Stephens, a British lawyer and broadcaster from Howard Kennedy LLP, passionately discusses his journey advocating for human rights and freedom of expression. He shares insights from his high-profile work, including representing Julian Assange and campaigning against child marriage. The conversation highlights the perilous landscape for journalists today, the impact of social media on justice, and the pressing need for activist lawyers in oppressive regimes. Tune in for a captivating look at how legal battles can drive social change!
Jun 16, 2025 • 54min
EP. 175 – Kara Richardson Whitely (The Gorgeous Agency)
Legislative efforts in the US are starting to recognize that people can face discrimination and bias in the workplace based on the size of their bodies. In this episode, host Janelle Wrigley speaks with Kara Richardson Whitely, author of ‘Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds’ and founder of The Gorgeous Agency (https://thegorgeousagency.com).
They discuss the complex trauma that can arise from weight stigma, how companies and law firms can create inclusive cultures for all body types and sizes, and Kara's path to becoming an outdoor adventurer and champion for body diversity.
Jun 2, 2025 • 46min
EP. 174 – Adrian Usher (Prisons & Probation Ombudsman)
Host Becky Annison explores the UK's court backlog crisis and its troubling ripple effects throughout the justice system. Her guest, Adrian Usher, the UK’s Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, explains how delayed trials are creating a bottleneck in prisons, with some Crown Court cases now being scheduled as far ahead as 2028, and he outlines the human cost of these systemic failures. Adrian explains why coming into his role as PPO after a long career as a police officer changed how he thinks about prison sentences, and he discusses with Becky the many difficulties inmates face under current prison conditions.
This thought-provoking episode challenges legal professionals of all specialties to consider their duty to an increasingly strained justice system.
May 12, 2025 • 1h 2min
EP. 173 – Kerry Lawlor (The Workplace Collective)
In a profession that celebrates achievement and relentless work ethic, what happens to the mental and physical wellbeing of those caught in this culture? Following our previous exploration of the mental health crisis in the legal community, this episode delves deeper into practical solutions. Join host Teneé Frazier as she welcomes Kerry Lawlor, psychotherapist, and co-founder of the Workplace Collective (UK), for an illuminating conversation about recognizing the need for self-care and creating psychologically safe workplaces in the legal profession. Together, they delve into practical tools and strategies for individuals and firms to prioritize mental health and well-being. They discuss how implementing reflective practice strategies, and fostering environments where wellbeing is central to organizational culture can benefit the legal community as a whole.
This episode offers valuable insights for legal professionals seeking to thrive, not just survive, in high-pressure environments.
Apr 28, 2025 • 36min
EP. 172 – Harriet Wistrich (Centre for Women's Justice)
Who protects women when the very systems that are supposed to protect them, like the police and the broader legal system, refuse to, or even worse, are causing the harm in the first place? This episode's guest has been fighting against the systemic challenges women face in securing justice for decades. And she has some extraordinary stories to tell. Join The Hearing host Yasmin Sheikh as she sits down with Harriet Wistrich, a human rights lawyer, founder of the Centre for Women's Justice (https://www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk/), and author of "Sister in Law" (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455720/sister-in-law-by-wistrich-harriet/9781804995990). Dive into Harriet's compelling journey from activism to law, driven by her passion for women's rights and justice. Discover the groundbreaking cases she's championed, including the landmark Sally Challen case that reshaped the understanding of coercive control and the John Warboys case, which highlighted some of the headwinds women face when they do come forward to seek justice for crimes against them.
In addition, she discusses astonishing undercover police operations that infiltrated activist groups, often using women as a means to an end. Wistrich weaves personal stories into a discussion about broader societal implications. This episode is a powerful exploration of systemic challenges and the relentless pursuit of justice. Don't miss this inspiring conversation - or Harriet's amazing book!
Mar 31, 2025 • 51min
EP. 171 – Rebecca Haw Allensworth (The Licensing Racket)
Most people would agree that lawyers and doctors should have professional licenses and oversight to protect the public from malpractice. But does the licensing system actually serve its intended purpose? In this episode, join host Janelle Wrigley for an insightful conversation with Professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth of Vanderbilt Law School, as she discusses her book, ‘The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work and Why It Goes Wrong’.
Professor Allensworth delves into the complicated, and occasionally fraught, world of professional licensing, including in law and medicine, exploring how the licensing system affects workers and consumers alike. They discuss the unintended consequences of self-regulation, impacts on innovation, and ideas for reform. With real-world examples and thought-provoking insights, this episode sheds light on a topic that impacts our daily lives more than most of us might realize.
Mar 17, 2025 • 32min
EP. 170 – Stephen Kinsella (Law for Change)
Those who could benefit most from the legal system are often those least able to access it. As this episode's guest, Stephen Kinsella, notes, "There are only so many cake stalls and jumble sales you can have in a local community, in order to raise funds to pay a lawyer." So that's where his organisation, Law for Change, steps in – as a Community Interest Company that helps provide financial backing and indemnities to cover legal costs for cases with significant societal impact. Join host Becky Annison as she and Stephen discuss the motivations that led him to set up Law for Change and how the organisation selects its cases to carry out its mission. With an eye toward cases that will benefit society, or that could establish or refine important legal principles, the organisation has assisted with cases across a broad spectrum, including on issues such as fracking and police misconduct. More broadly, Stephen talks about current challenges facing the UK legal system, including court backlogs and antiquated systems, and his concerns about a judicial system that relies on philanthropy to fill gaps.
You can find out more about Law for Change here: https://www.lawforchange.uk
Mar 3, 2025 • 49min
EP. 169 – Dan Nardello (Nardello & Co.)
In this episode, Dan Nardello, the founder of top-tier investigative firm Nardello & Co., speaks with host Teneé Frazier about the evolving role of private investigations within the legal industry. They discuss the increasingly sophisticated nature of investigations, their essential role in complex litigation and dispute resolution, and the need for strict ethical adherence.
Their conversation delves into the methodologies used in special investigations, from public records reviews to strategic interviews. It also explores the challenges of navigating different legal systems, particularly concerning privacy regulations in the UK and US. And Dan shares tips on exercising due diligence to mitigate risk when hiring a private investigation firm.
Feb 10, 2025 • 59min
EP. 168 – Abimbola Johnson (UK Police Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board)
The world can feel hopelessly polarised at times, especially on topics such as racism and criminal justice. If your spirits need lifting, and if you need reassurance that respectful dialogue is possible, even if people disagree with each other, then this episode is for you.
Abimbola Johnson, a barrister at London's Doughty Street Chambers, speaks with host Yasmin Sheikh about her work as chair of the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board, which addresses racism in policing. They discuss the importance of having challenging conversations in ways that maintain respect for differing viewpoints and Abimbola's hopes for the legacy of the Board's Police Race Action Plan (https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/police-race-action-plan/) as it enters its final year.
