The Student Lawyer Podcast

Interview with Bal Atwal, Solicitor at West Midlands Police

In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Bal Atwal. After completing his training contract at Trowers & Hamlins and working as an Associate in the Real Estate department at DLA Piper, Bal made the switch from private practice at a global law firm to working as an in-house lawyer at West Midlands Police.
Bal provides fascinating insight into the legal work involved in the Police, the benefits that working in-house had provided him, and tips for student lawyer listeners about how they can explore in-house careers. 
Be sure to leave us a rating and review if you enjoyed this episode, and share with friends and colleagues who may be interested in in-house careers!
To connect with Bal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baljinder-singh-atwal-2a57996b
Learn more about Birmingham Solicitors' Group:  https://birminghamsolicitorsgroup.org/ 
**Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)**
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

How to Contract - with Laura Frederick, ex-Big Law and ex-Tesla lawyer

In this episode, Camilla Uppal speaks with Laura Frederick, founder of the platform How to Contract, a practical contract training platform for lawyers.
Laura provides insight into her fascinating career in Big Law and as Senior Commercial Counsel at Tesla, and explains where her passion for contracts stems from. Laura also shares the challenges she faced in her law career and how she overcame them, as well as providing her top tips on how to draft better contracts and avoid common mistakes!
Laura also shares advice as a female entrepreneur to other women thinking of setting up their own businesses!
Connect with Laura:Website: https://www.howtocontract.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurafredericklaw/ 
**Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)**
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Commercial Awareness and the Alcohol Industry - an Interview with Michael Clearly MD of Mast-Jägermeister UK

In this episode, Stephanie Anais is joined by Michael Cleary, Managing Director at Mast-Jägermeister UK.
During the episode, Michael talks about the commercial growth of Jägermeister and the company’s marketing initiatives which includes a discussion about its £2 million marketing campaign, New Mix New Beat.
Michael also explains the risks and challenges to the alcohol industry, such as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) matters, the pandemic, Brexit and new legislation and regulations that are on the government’s agenda.
Michael and Stephanie also discuss the current consumer trends and the future of the alcohol industry, and Michael provides advice to Student Lawyer’s considering a career as an in-house lawyer at a company in the alcohol industry.
The Secret Is Ice Cold  - watch the campaign here: https://vimeo.com/652788801/37764cc122
N.B - The Secret Is Ice Cold film features a new track produced for the campaign by celebrated DJ and Producer, Majestic, whose remix of Boney M’s “Rasputin” amassed over 300 million streams last year!
**Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)**
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore

Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets with Dan Wyatt, Partner at RPC

In this episode, Stephanie Anais is joined by Dan Wyatt, Partner at RPC, who specialises in commercial litigation with a focus on civil fraud, and crypto and digital asset disputes.
During the episode Dan and Stephanie discuss cryptocurrency and digital assets from a commercial and legal point of view. Dan also explains what is typically in dispute over digital assets, and talks about Lavinia Deborah Osbourne v (1) Persons Unknown (2) Ozone Networks Inc., a novel case to the English courts and a milestone in the legal treatment of NFTs under English law.
Dan also provides his opinion on how digital assets could transpire into the metaverse, whether cryptocurrency could ever become legal tender in the UK, and lastly, provides exceptional advice to students as to how to become commercially aware, become a successful trainee solicitor and be on track to partnership.
**Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)**
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore

Life as an Offshore Litigator with William Peake, Partner at Harneys

In this episode, Stephanie Anais speaks with William Peake, London based litigation Partner at Harneys, a global offshore law firm.
Having spent a vast amount of time working in the Cayman Islands and advising banks and investment vehicles and their liquidators, shareholders and directors in relation to disputes, William has exceptional knowledge of how to succeed as an offshore litigator.
During the episode, William discusses the benefits of having an offshore practice and explains why obtaining a dual qualification can enhance a lawyer’s onshore practices. Additionally, William talks about the Saad Litigation case, the longest and highest value fraud case trial in the Cayman Islands, in which he acted as lead partner for the official liquidators of a Cayman SPV.
William also provides his invaluable advice to student lawyers which includes how to succeed as a trainee and associate and partner later on in life.
Careers at Harneys: www.harneys.com/careers/
Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore

Revisted: Interview with Daniel Black, Barrister at 3 Hare Court

In this episode, Camilla Uppal speaks with Daniel Black, Commercial and Insolvency and Civil and Employment law Barrister at 3 Hare Court.
Daniel discusses his journey from a state-school in Scotland, to earning a first class degree from the University of Glasgow, studying in the USA and ultimately securing pupillage in London. 
Daniel provides actionable advice for students who are aiming for a first-class degree, tips for improving advocacy skills and advice for how to make successful pupillage applications.
Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Revisited: Exploring Employment Law - with Roy Magara, Solicitor Advocate and Founder of Magara Law

This episode was first published in November 2021
In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Roy Magara, Founder & Director of Magara Law.
Roy provides a fascinating insight into the life of an employment lawyer, explaining why he decided to specialise in employment law, what traits and characteristics make a great employment lawyer, and the biggest challenges around being an employment lawyer.
We discuss trends in the types of cases that employment lawyers are likely to see, and how these can be linked to current events. Roy also provides his opinion on what aspiring employment lawyers can be doing to explore the practice area further.
We also discuss why Roy set up his law firm Magara Law during the pandemic in 2020, what sets Magara Law apart from other firms, the main challenges faced by law firms, and how a law firm wins clients - these are questions commonly asked at training contract interviews, so insight from a law firm founder and director is particularly welcome!
Finally, Roy provides tips for aspiring lawyers on how to build their personal brand.
To connect with Roy Magara and learn more about Magara Law:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roymagara/ Website: https://magaralaw.co.uk/ 
Don’t forget to subscribe to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Civil and commercial group action case law & how to secure pupillage with Adam Henderson QC

In this episode, Stephanie Anais is joined by Adam Heppinstall QC of Henderson Chambers. During the episode Adam explains Henderson Chambers’ pupillage process and discusses some of his most memorable and noteworthy cases, which include the Nuclear Test Veterans Saga, Seroxat group litigation, and an ongoing dispute concerning Total Energies.
Talking points include:
02:35 – Overview of Adam’s practice, role as Director of Pupillage Training, and his career journey to Queens Counsel
06:20 – How to secure pupillage at Henderson Chambers
24:50 – Nuclear Test Veterans Saga: a case concerning veterans of Britain's 1950s nuclear bomb tests in the Pacific Ocean and Australia who claim their cancers and illnesses were caused by radiation.
32:08 – Seroxat and GlaxoSmithKline: a case concerning group action litigation against the pharmaceutical giant
41:00 – Total Energies: a climate change law challenge to a LNG plant in Mozambique
49:44 – Adam’s words of wisdom
Read the Total Energies High Court judgment here.
Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore

From the DJ booth to the Bar – TSL’s Happy Hour with Mark Robinson, criminal barrister at Great James Street Chambers

In this episode, Stephanie Anais is joined by Mark Robinson, criminal barrister at Great James Street Chambers.
Mark has gained a reputation as being a maverick who fiercely defends clients at court. However, before his career in law, Mark was a BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter and professional DJ for over 20 years playing throughout the UK, USA, Canada, and Europe.
He was a music producer, having released an album with the Ministry of Sound, and has been responsible for several high-profile remixes of chart hits for artists such as David Guetta and Akon.
During the episode, Mark talks about his unconventional route to the Bar and the benefits of being a mature student and career changer when entering the legal profession.
Mark also provides his advice to student lawyers who are deciding on which profession within the legal industry to pursue, and explains the current strike actions taken by criminal barristers.
Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore

Missguided checks out - interview with Alex Jay, Partner and Head of Insolvency and Asset Recovery at Stewarts

In this episode, Stephanie Anais is joined by Alex Jay, Partner and Head of Insolvency and Asset Recovery at Stewarts, litigation specialists, ‘a law firm like no other’.
During the episode, Alex and Stephanie discuss the collapse of the online fast fashion retailer, Missguided, from an insolvency point of view, and talk about the commercial challenges that the company faced in the lead up to its fall into administration.
 
Overview of episode – 01:50
Overview of Stewarts and Alex’s role in the firm and his insolvency and asset recovery practice – 02:40
Missguided: its commercial challenges, legal difficulties, and the directors duties – 04:40
Could the collapse have been mitigated? The importance of knowing your client (“KYC”) and commercial awareness – 16:47
Government schemes which aid distressed companies – the Covid-19 rent moratorium and employee furlough – 18:15
The Frasers Group buys Missguided out of administration via a pre pack administration deal (pre pack explained!) – 23:35
Legal action and claims made by Missguided’s suppliers, unsecured claims and wrongful trading explained! – 28:50
Pursuing wrongful trading claims – is it worth it? – 36:00
Order of priority of creditors in administration – 40:30
Is it lawful to be sacked via automated telephone message? – 43:55
Key takeaways that online retailers should consider – 45:22
Alex’s words of wisdom – 46:30
 
Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer (https://bit.ly/3xhsefp) (Ad)
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to ensure that you never miss an episode, and please share this episode with others who might find it useful!
Hosted by Stephanie Anais, Produced by Nathan Gore