The Women's Room - Legal Division

Erica Handling
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The Women’s Room – Legal Division podcast is a podcast for women working in any aspect of the law and anyone else who finds their way here who is looking for insights into how coaching can support your career development and maximise both your potential but also your sense of fulfilment. There will be episodes where I interview a woman working in the law about their career, challenge they’ve faced as well as some live coaching around a specific issue. You’ll also find some sessions with me alone dealing with topics that come up regularly when I coach that I hope you’ll find helpful.

  1. 05/16/2025

    Ep#26 Beyond the Legal Path: Hannah Ellwood's Journey to Company Secretary of Barclays Group

    This episode aims to inspire lawyers to consider diverse career opportunities within the legal and corporate sectors beyond being an in-house or private practice lawyer.  Erica is joined by Hannah Ellwood, the Company Secretary for Barclays Group, to discuss her unique career journey, including her former role as chief of staff and and current role as company secretary to a FTSE 100 company. Hannah elaborates on her day-to-day responsibilities, from advising on corporate governance to organising board meetings and dealing with senior board members and provides insights into how to move into a company secretarial role and the skill set required to be successful. She also shares her personal journey from a senior associate at Clifford Chance to her current position, offering advice on navigating career changes, building resilience, and effectively dealing with senior stakeholders. Chapters 00:59 Role of a Company Secretary 05:27 Annual General Meetings (AGMs) 12:58 Pathways to Becoming a Company Secretary 17:48 Hannah's Career Journey 23:36 Choosing a Career Path in Law 29:43 Building Resilience and Handling Stress 34:26 Recognising and Leveraging Your Strengths 38:54 Advice to My Younger Self

    41 min

  2. 03/07/2025

    Ep# 25 The Legal Leader: Mollie Stoker’s Transformative Career Insights

    In this episode I’m excited to sit down with Mollie Stoker, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Britvic. Mollie has had such an interesting and varied career but what comes across most strongly is her strength combined with her authenticity. She has moved into leadership roles while demonstrating how quiet power can be just as effective as noisy. For anyone wondering how a woman can succeed without sacrificing her femininity, she is a great role model. During the episode Mollie reflects on her early career, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the pivotal choice to move from private practice to an in-house role. She emphasises resilience, emotional intelligence, and the power of coaching in her personal and professional development. This episode offers valuable insights into navigating career transitions, the importance of asking questions and maintaining a positive and energetic leadership style. 01:03 Overview of Britvic and Mollie's Role 07:46 Career Beginnings and Inspirations 15:05 Navigating Career Challenges and Family 26:25 Embracing Humility and Self-Reflection 29:13 The Transformative Power of Coaching 33:41 Balancing Femininity and Professionalism 44:06 Advice to My Younger Self 48:15 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    50 min

  3. 02/11/2025

    Ep# 24 Championing Justice: A Conversation with Fiona Rutherford

    In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, host Erica welcomes Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of the organisation JUSTICE. They discuss Fiona's career journey from aspiring doctor to a prominent legal professional, her experiences at the criminal bar, and her impactful roles within the Crown Prosecution Service, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service the Ministry of Justice. Fiona talks in-depth about JUSTICE's mission to create a fairer UK justice system, their strategic goals, and the importance of the rule of law. The conversation also touches upon Fiona's leadership style, her thoughts on mentorship, and advice to her younger self. The episode provides insights into the legal profession and emphasises the significance of supporting organisations like JUSTICE to uphold the rule of law and improve the justice system. Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    48 min
  4. Ep# 23 Empowering Women Through Fitness: Insights with Natalie Liu Roach

    01/24/2025

    Ep# 23 Empowering Women Through Fitness: Insights with Natalie Liu Roach

    In this episode, Erica is joined by her personal trainer, Natalie Liu Roach, to discuss the essentials of staying fit, healthy, and happy, especially for women in demanding careers. They explore the importance of proper exercise techniques, the benefits of both resistance and power training, and the role of diet and nutrition in achieving fitness goals. Natalie shares her journey into fitness, her experiences with bodybuilding, and insights on sustainable training routines. Additionally, they cover the significance of sleep, restorative practices like saunas over extreme cold therapy, and effective strategies for maintaining motivation in one's fitness journey. Key supplements like creatine, omega-3s, and vitamin D are also discussed. The episode aims to educate and inspire listeners to integrate fitness into their daily lives for long-term health and well-being. Training recommendation summary ​​ https://elhd-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/erica_elhd_co_uk/EYPfNCIACAlBj8K7RrhHiMAB0VSCDWEmPqZkOAyS8STzlA?e=xWUwTK Dr Stacy Sims podcast Huberman Lab – Female Specific Exercise Nutrition https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-stacy-sims-female-specific-exercise-nutrition-for/id1545953110?i=1000662955352 https://podcastnotes.org/huberman-lab/dr-stacy-sims-female-specific-exercise-nutrition-for-health-performance-longevity-huberman-lab/ Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    48 min

  5. 01/06/2025

    Ep# 22 Creating a Personal Strategy for Your Life and Career

    Nearly every business or enterprise sets a strategy and writes a business plan for what it wants to achieve over both the short and medium term.  But have you ever thought about employing the same approach to your life and your career?  It’s a really great way to think about what’s important to you and what it is you’d like to experience and achieve over the next 3-5 years and then to set some goals, objectives and milestones for how you’ll take yourself one step closer to those achievements over the next 12 months.  This episode will take you through how to do that using the framework of a Personal Strategy Document. If you’ve listened to any of my previous podcasts you’ll know the emphasis I place on taking time out to think strategically and also to writing things down and there’s no better time to do this than at the beginning of a new year. As part of the process we’ll also look at deeper issues such as identifying your values, needs and strengths as well as areas of potential weakness that you might like to work on.  I also discuss visualisation techniques, progress tracking, and accountability mechanisms to help ensure your progress towards success. 00:42 The Importance of Taking Time Out 05:03 Starting with Your Baseline 11:31 Understanding Your Needs  17:53 Reflecting on Achievements and Gratitude 22:54 Analysing Your Current Life 24:39 Identifying Weaknesses and Developmental Areas 27:32 Understanding and Applying Ikigai 35:39 Setting SMART Goals and Using the GROW Model 42:18 Maintaining Motivation and Accountability  Personal Strategy Document  Values, Needs, Strengths Spreadsheet  Goal Setting Template For your goals you might also like to have a go with this Chat GBT link from Mind Valley https://chatgpt.com/g/g-675f2f2cd4e88191af9c72bdeb1092a1-goal-analysis-gpt-by-mindvalley Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the...

    46 min
  6. Ep# 21 Breaking Barriers in Law: Susan Cooper and the Rise of Accutrainee

    12/20/2024

    Ep# 21 Breaking Barriers in Law: Susan Cooper and the Rise of Accutrainee

    In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division Podcast, host Erica welcomes Susan Cooper, founder and CEO of Accutrainee. Susan shares her journey from a lawyer to an entrepreneur, highlighting how her company revolutionised the legal training landscape in the UK. Accutrainee was the first non-law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to offer training contracts, providing flexible and diverse opportunities for aspiring solicitors. Susan discusses the importance of resilience, innovation, and adaptability in her career path, while also sharing insights into overcoming challenges, dealing with imposter syndrome, and securing investment for her business. Tune in to hear Susan’s inspiring story and vision for making law more accessible and inclusive. Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    48 min
  7. Ep# 20 Resilience Under Fire: Navigating Criticism with Grace

    11/29/2024

    Ep# 20 Resilience Under Fire: Navigating Criticism with Grace

    In this episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, I discuss strategies for dealing with being told off at work, drawing from personal experiences and psychological insights. The podcast breaks down the situation into several phases, offering practical advice on immediate reactions, processing emotions, formulating plans to resolve issues, and analyzing feedback constructively. The episode also touches on understanding the critic’s perspective, handling ongoing ruminations, and addressing potential workplace bullying. Listeners are reminded that a single mistake does not define them or their value. 00:44 Understanding the Impact of Criticism 04:22 Immediate Reactions to Criticism 09:49 Venting and Processing Emotions 12:48 Analyzing and Learning from Feedback 20:19 Strategic Response and Relationship Management 26:33 Dealing with Unjustified Criticism and Bullying 28:36 Recap and Final Thoughts Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    31 min

  8. 11/08/2024

    Ep# 19 Starting out in law: the first steps to qualification as a solicitor

    In this comprehensive episode of the Women's Room Legal Division podcast, listeners are introduced to the diverse journeys and insights of Millie and Anastasia, a trainee solicitor and paralegal at the beginning of their legal careers. The discussion covers pivotal topics such as the motivations behind choosing a career in law, the academic and application processes, and effective strategies for navigating career fairs and law firm applications. The speakers offer practical advice on creating tailored applications, leveraging resources like Legal Cheek and LinkedIn, and maintaining organised application records. They also delve into the emotional resilience needed to handle rejection and the importance of persistence. Further, the episode explores the varied educational routes to becoming a solicitor, including insights into the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Millie and Anastasia share their experiences with online and on-campus studies, the challenges of balancing work with exam preparation, and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks. Listeners are encouraged to utilise prep courses, and practice tests, and maintain their commitment to succeed in the legal field. Links to The Women’s Room – Legal Division: LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-womens-room-legal-division/?viewAsMember=true YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Womens-Room-Legal-Division Website https://www.ericahandling.com/the-womens-room-legal-division/   I’d love to hear from you directly using the CONTACT link below about Contact Me https://www.ericahandling.com/contact-me/ any coaching questions you have or challenges that you’re facingany topics you’d like me to cover on the YouTube Channel, orif you have any suggestions about an amazing woman working in around the law I should interview on the Podcast https://feeds.captivate.fm/womens-room-legal-division/

    50 min
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About

The Women’s Room – Legal Division podcast is a podcast for women working in any aspect of the law and anyone else who finds their way here who is looking for insights into how coaching can support your career development and maximise both your potential but also your sense of fulfilment. There will be episodes where I interview a woman working in the law about their career, challenge they’ve faced as well as some live coaching around a specific issue. You’ll also find some sessions with me alone dealing with topics that come up regularly when I coach that I hope you’ll find helpful.

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