The Lawyer Podcast

Send us a textOn the surface, litigation funding and class actions are booming in the UK. Over the past five years, dozens of class actions have been filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) and just at the start of this month, a new £5bn action was filed against Google. The 60 cases now in the CAT are said to be worth more than £160bn. And they are all backed by a litigation funder.But with the judgment in Merricks v Mastercard this month seeing funder Innsworth lash out at the CAT over an “unfair” result, with class actions yet to bring any substantial returns, and with the result of the Civil Justice Council’s review into litigation funding not far away, litigation funders might be having an existential crisis.So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, Catrin and Christian are joined by deputy litigation editor Annabel Tinson to explore whether funders are chasing a busted flush, and if the class action regime is proving a bit of a dud.To listen to February’s episode about the Merricks v Mastercard case, click here.To read The Lawyer’s recent coverage of the Merricks v Mastercard case, click here and here.

Lucie Cruz, Tech editor at The Lawyer, and Matt Byrne, Director of insight, delve into the rapidly evolving intersection of law and AI. They discuss the emergence of the first AI law firm and the varied responses from traditional firms. The conversation tackles job security concerns, innovative strategies for knowledge transfer among lawyers, and the balance between technology and human roles. Leadership amid this AI revolution is also explored, highlighting the need for digital skills and cultural awareness to adapt in a changing legal landscape.

Send us a textTrump’s attacks on some of America’s most famous law firms has set in motion a chain of events that has thrown the world of BigLaw into chaos.In episode three of The Lawyer Podcast's mini-series on Trump v BigLaw, Christian, Catrin and Richard assess what the crisis means for the junior members of the legal profession. The team speaks with Rachel Cohen, whose resignation on a point of principle from Skadden and subsequent advocacy has made her something of a leader among the associate community, as well as Georgetown student Caleb Frye, who gives the lowdown of the state of play on campus.And they discuss what comes next and whether the saga has changed BigLaw forever… 

Send us a textTrump’s attacks on some of America’s most famous law firms has set in motion a chain of events that has thrown the world of BigLaw into chaos.On this second episode of our podcast mini-series, Catrin, Christian and Richard look at how firm managements are responding to Trump’s targeting.The team speaks to former Ashurst senior partner Charlie Geffen and former Weight Watchers and Kenneth Cole General Counsel Michael Colosi for their views.They also debate whether law firms like A&O Shearman and Paul Weiss were right to enter into deals with the administration, how other firms were ready to poach their lawyers, what it says about the state of the profession, and the response of UK firms in the US.In our final episode later this week, The Lawyer Podcast explores the response of junior and future lawyers.

Send us a textTrump’s attacks on some of America’s most famous law firms has set in motion a chain of events that has thrown the world of BigLaw into chaos.Across the course of three episodes, The Lawyer Podcast will be talking to figures across the political and legal spectrum on both sides of the Atlantic, from Trump supporters to liberal academics, senior partners to students, associates to judges, to understand the crisis facing BigLaw… and what comes next.In this first episode, we will take a look at what is behind the moves, and why so many people have a problem with them.The Lawyer Podcast team speak to former UK Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption, Harvard law professor Jody Freeman, senior legal fellow at the Trump-sympathetic Heritage Foundation GianCarlo Canaparo, and Professor John Greil, a clinical professor of law in the Law and Religion Clinic at the University of Texas.In our second episode, released early next week, we will dive into the view from partners and clients, before finishing the series by looking towards the next generation of lawyers, and what long-term effects the crisis might have.

Send us a textLaw firm listings are out of fashion, but private equity interest in firms has never been higher. With more deals already struck this year, The Lawyer Podcast crew sets out the state of PE investment in firms, debates the benefits and challenges of PE involvement, explores the experience of DWF, and ponders what the future will bring.

Lucie Cruz, Tech Editor at The Lawyer, shares her valuable insights into the legal world of startups. She discusses the unique challenges in-house lawyers face while supporting rapid growth and innovation. Lucie emphasizes the adaptability required for general counsels in dynamic environments and contrasts this with traditional legal practices. The conversation also delves into the evolving role of legal counsel, highlighting the importance of collaboration, budget constraints in hiring, and the differences in startup cultures between the UK and US.

Alex Taylor, the International editor of The Lawyer, and Michal Radoszewski, a staff writer and Polish native, delve into the shifting legal landscape in Eastern Europe. They discuss Poland's rapid economic growth and its potential to outpace Japan and the UK in GDP per capita. The podcast explores Linklaters' exit from Warsaw and what this signals for the Magic Circle, alongside the ambitions of firms like Addleshaw Goddard and Kinstella. The changes in talent dynamics and strategic local opportunities are examined, shedding light on the region's evolving market.

Annabel Tinson, Deputy litigation editor of The Lawyer with expertise in class actions, discusses the landmark Merricks v Mastercard case. She delves into the implications of the controversial £200 million settlement and its potential to reshape the UK litigation landscape. The conversation raises critical questions about fairness in class actions, who truly benefits, and the ethical dilemmas faced by class representatives. Tinson even hints at future adaptations, leaving listeners curious about who will bring this legal drama to the screen.

Send us a textAs Donald Trump and his allies put corporate ESG on both sides of the Atlantic in their crosshairs, is now the time for law firms to stand up and prove that their sustainability programmes are not just all for lip service?To mark the launch of The Lawyer’s Sustainability Hub, the podcast team discuss the future of law firm sustainability, which firms need to up their game, why the Slaughters’ partner dining room is progressive, and why Linklaters (or “Stinklaters”) actually deserves credit for what it is doing on the environment.The Sustainability hub is here to help you discover how your law firm is reducing its impact, benchmark one firm’s progress against its peers, uncover what more is needed to drive meaningful change across the industry, and much more.