

Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE
Women in the Law UK
Presented by multi-award winning barrister Sally Penni, Talking Law profiles leading figures in UK law as they discuss the highs and lows of their career plus the challenges and realities of the legal profession. From Women in the Law UK www.womeninthelawuk.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2025 • 30min
Professor Duncan French
Dr Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Professor Duncan FrenchProfessor Duncan French is Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Health & Science at the University of Lincoln.Duncan shares with Sally his passion for international environmental law and the legal implications of climate changeDuncan and Sally discuss how his life has changed since his career move to the University of Lincoln, and his advice for students who are considering law.You’ll hear key areas of interest for Duncan, such as sustainable development goals, and the importance of governance in environmental lawThis episode is supported by the University of Lincoln. You can find out more about them here.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

May 13, 2025 • 45min
Emma Riach
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Emma RiachEmma is an experienced Attorney at Stanbrook Prudhoe, specialising in complex and cross-border cases.Emma discusses with Sally how her work has spanned England, France, and now the Turks and Caicos Islands.You’ll hear how Emma got her start working in French tax law, and some of the challenges that came along with it.Plus, Emma shares highlights from her career advising on contentious matters for Fortune 500 companies.This episode is supported by Stanbrook Prudhoe. Find out more about their work here. This episode is also supported by Seroto Communications. Find out more about their work here.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Dec 13, 2024 • 57min
Sam Townend KC
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Sam Townend KCSam is the chairman of the Bar Council and he tells Sally about the diverse roles and responsibilities of the Bar Council, the challenges of his chair year and his journey to becoming a barrister.You’ll also hear Sam talk about the importance of advocacy experience, and the significance of addressing diversity, equality and inclusion within the legal profession.Plus, Sam offers his advice on succeeding in the profession for new and progressing barristers.You can support Talking Law by making a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Click here to find out more.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Nov 15, 2024 • 48min
Nadia Chiesa
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nadia Chiesa.Nadia is a litigator at Stanbrook Prudhoe where she specialises in complex commercial litigation and multi-jurisdictional disputes.In this interview, Sally and Nadia discuss her journey from studying journalism in Canada to practising law in the Caribbean.Nadia details her involvement in impactful LGBTQ+ constitutional challenges across the Eastern Caribbean and offers advice for aspiring lawyers.You’ll also hear why Nadia emphasises the importance of self-advocacy in a male-dominated profession.This episode is supported by Stanbrook Prudhoe. Find out more about their work here.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Nov 8, 2024 • 1h 15min
Sam Cottman
Sally Penni MBE is talking law with Sam Cottman.Sam is a Partner and Head of Pro Bono at Travers Smith. He’s also the founder of the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA) and the Cottman Foundation. Sam shares his unconventional path into law, transitioning from studying languages to pursuing a legal career. He discusses his extensive pro bono work, particularly with survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, and his role in establishing the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA).They also discuss his involvement in racial justice investigations; his approach to leadership and diversity within the legal profession, and the mission of his personal foundation, which supports a wide variety of charitable causes globally.Additionally, Sam reflects on the importance of mentorship, strategic career decisions, and maintaining a balance between professional and personal life.In the UK, The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted on 0808 2000 247. Services outside of the UK can be found here. This episode is supported by Salford Business School. Find out more about them here. You can support Talking Law by making a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Click here to find out more.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on X @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Nov 5, 2024 • 33min
Figen Murray OBE
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Figen Murray OBEFigen shares her journey following the tragic loss of her son, Martyn Hett, in the Manchester Arena attack on May 22, 2017.Figen and Sally discuss her relentless campaign for 'Martyn's Law,' which mandates that venues implement security measures to protect against terrorism.Figen discusses the challenges she faced in lobbying for legislation and her personal struggles along the way. This episode is sponsored by the University of Salford’s Business School, home of the SILKS pro bono law clinic, a free community legal advice service. The advice from SILKS is given by qualified lawyers, alongside the University’s Law students, on a range of areas including, housing, family and employment. Find out more about them here. You can support Talking Law by making a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Click here to find out more.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on X @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Oct 25, 2024 • 47min
Natasha Chahal
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Natasha ChahalNatasha is an associate in Addleshaw Goddard's London office. She advises on a range of complex commercial disputes including claims for breach of contract, competition claims and business protection proceedings.Sally and Natasha discuss the different routes that can be taken into law, including Natasha’s experience with a law conversion course. Natasha tells Sally about creating the Ethnic Business Growth Programme at Addleshaw Goddard, which supports businesses that have ethnically diverse owners to receive legal services. This episode is supported by Addleshaw Goddard. Find out more about their work here.You can support Talking Law by making a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Click here to find out more.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Mar 22, 2024 • 54min
Ann Francke OBE
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Ann Francke OBEAnn Francke is the CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, the UK's leading professional body for management and leadership.In this interview, Ann talks about equality in the workplace and how all organisations, including law firms, can do more to promote women to leadership positions. Plus, Ann and Sally discuss why a good relationship with your line manager is one of the most important things at work.You’ll hear some of the well being initiatives that have been implemented at CMI and why they’re crucial for all organisations to foster a healthy working environment. You can now support Talking Law on PatreonPresented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on X @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Feb 23, 2024 • 52min
Joanna Hughes
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Joanna Hughes.Joanna is the creator of Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships and Advisor to the City Century career creating collaboration of 50+ City of London law firms which identifies, attracts, recruits, onboards, educates, networks, develops and qualifies significant numbers of talented and committed solicitor apprentices.Joanna and Sally discuss why Solicitor Apprenticeships are an attractive route into the law for employees and employers alike, and why Joanna is so passionate about them.Joanna shares insights into ways that the legal profession can be diversified, and the different forms diversity can take. Plus Joanna shares her top tips for those starting out in the legal profession.This episode is supported by Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships. Find out more about their work here. You can also find out more about City Century here.You can now support Talking Law on Patreon. Donate £3 a month to support the podcast.Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Dec 12, 2023 • 27min
The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis. Victoria has served as Attorney General for England and Wales since 2022. She is also a Government Minister, and the MP for Banbury. Sally and Victoria discuss the day to day role of Attorney General and what that entails. Victoria also shares insights into how the crossover between law and politics in her career came about. They discuss the importance of increasing diversity when it comes to government legal careers; what’s been achieved so far and what more needs to be done. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni