This episode explores the heart-wrenching subject of youth justice. Guest Aika Stephenson is the founder of Just For Kids Law, a UK charity that represents and advocates for children in contact with the criminal justice system. She’s also the author of In Their Defence: Fighting for Youth Justice One Child at a Time (https://www.mombooks.com/book/in-their-defence/). Join host Janelle as she chats with Aika about the extraordinary cases she’s dealt with in her career and how her own background led her to become an advocate for children. Aika provides eye-opening insight on the failures that she has witnessed in the legal system, from the police station to the courtroom, and the impact this has on children and young people. If you’re interested to hear more about youth justice advocacy, check out episode 22 with Aika's colleague Shauneen Lambe: [https://pod.fo/e/1a42f]

In this episode, we dive into the philosophical depths of the legal profession – exploring some of the assumptions underpinning Western legal thought and the implications of such assumptions. So nothing we can’t handle. Join host Becky Annison as she talks to Ryan James and Zaneta Sedilekova, the founders of (re)purpose law – a personal development course for lawyers. The trio discuss how legal practices could be harmonised to help tackle the multifaceted crises facing the modern world, and they unravel the mechanistic and anthropocentric mindsets that have long influenced our legal systems. Prepare to learn about the concept of "two-eyed seeing" – which marries Western and Indigenous ways of knowing to forge a path forward that is both holistic and interconnected. As we navigate the complexities of climate and biodiversity risks, The Hearing offers a platform for innovative concepts that aim for a more socially and ecologically just future. This episode might challenge your perspectives and perhaps help guide us all towards a more equitable and sustainable legal landscape.

In the US, June is no longer just June – it is also National Gun Violence Awareness Month. To that end, this episode delves into one of the most pressing issues facing the US today: school shootings. Lauren sits down with Stuart Grossman and Alex Arteaga-Gomez, two attorneys at the forefront of US legal efforts to help curb gun violence in schools, to discuss their work on the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in US history – the Parkland shooting. Lauren also chats with Stuart and Alex about the unique aspects of their work, including the sensitivity and understanding of human psychology required, and why litigating cases stemming from tragedy isn't for every lawyer.

Over decades, hundreds of Post Office employees in the UK were wrongly prosecuted for crimes such as fraud and theft due to accounting errors resulting from faulty software. Many lives were devastated by the false accusations. This week, Yasmin speaks to Neil Hudgell, the Executive Chairman of Hudgell Solicitors, a firm representing many of the claimants in the post office scandal, about the case and his experiences representing individuals who have been through tragic events. Find out more about The Hearing and other Thomson Reuters podcasts at tr.com/thehearing

Jake Heller, CEO of a legal tech company, shares his journey from coding to founding a successful AI product for lawyers. He discusses the evolution of CoCounsel, the impact of AI on the legal field, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.

Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate AI on issues ranging from copyright protections to ethical standards, competition rules and beyond.  In this episode, host Becky Annison explores AI governance issues with Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, member of the UK House of Lords and former chair of its Artificial Intelligence Select Committee. The pair discuss the challenges of balancing enthusiasm for a new technology with the need to manage its risks. They also chat about areas where AI developers need to be more transparent regarding the construction of their models, and global efforts to set commonly accepted governance standards for AI. Find out more about The Hearing and other Thomson Reuters podcasts at tr.com/thehearing

Joe Green, Chief Innovation Officer at Gunderson Dettmer, discusses the evolving legal world, skills lawyers need for new technologies, and his career pivot from corporate lawyer to legal tech influencer. Topics include AI integration, career transitions in law, and the intersection of law, tech, and innovation.

For lawyers who are disabled or neurodivergent, finding role models and support in the legal profession is a huge challenge. After becoming disabled eight years ago – and grappling with how to navigate her health and her work as a lawyer – Reena Parmar set out to address that problem. Now Chair of the Disabled Solicitors Network (DSN) at the Law Society of England and Wales, Reena chats with host Yasmin Sheikh about the initiatives underway at the DSN to promote disability inclusion and to support legal professionals looking for guidance or mentorship.

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Alan Barinholtz, lawyer and star of the hit TV series Jury Duty. Though Alan spent most of his life as a litigator and arbitrator, he dreamed of being an actor. After 40+ years as a lawyer (and, as he puts it, being patient and rehearsing for close to 50 years), Alan's dream came true when he landed the role of Judge Alan Rosen on Jury Duty. The Amazon show went on to earn an Emmy nomination and won the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series, in no small part thanks to Alan's talented acting. Lauren and Alan chat about Alan's journey from lawyer to actor, including how he leaned on his legal experience to play a judge on TV. Alan also reveals the advice he got from his sons, Hollywood stars Ike and Jon Barinholtz, and shares an inspiring message for anyone else considering a career change. Find out more about Jury Duty here: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/realism-or-ridicule-what-jury-duty-show-says-about-system-2023-05-10/

THE CROSS-EXAMINATION – Lawyers who are concerned about climate change increasingly want to see environmental values reflected in their practice. It can be difficult to advocate for change, especially for early career lawyers and those who feel that climate law is outside their expertise. But it turns out you don’t have to be an environmental litigator or a managing partner to make a difference. In this episode, Becky speaks with two activists leading organisations that help provide lawyers and law students with tools to make a difference on climate change within the legal profession. Haley Czarnek, from Law Students for Climate Accountability (LSCA), and Ming Zee Tee, from Legal Voices for the Future (LVF), both believe that any lawyer has the skills and leverage to have a positive impact on the climate. Haley and Ming Zee discuss their views on the growing need to incorporate climate change issues into law school curriculums, the ethical duties of law firms in representing fossil fuel companies, the most exciting developments taking place in climate law, and the practical things those concerned about the environment can do to make a difference, no matter what your practice or stage of career. Guests:– Haley Czarnek, National Director, LSCA https://www.ls4ca.org – Ming Zee Tee, Chair, LVF https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/climate-change/legal-voices-for-the-future