The Legal Cheek Podcast

Legal Cheek
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Legal news, law firm insights and events. Weekly podcast about the big issues affecting the legal sector and beyond, featuring Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, editor Tom Connelly and writers Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott, as well as special guests. The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible.

  1. 5d ago

    What students get wrong about commercial awareness

    The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/ Commercial awareness. Two words likely to send any self-respecting law student into either psychosis or an interview-induced breakdown. But what if we told you it's really not as complicated as it looks? Legal Cheek's Alex Aldridge and Julia Szaniszlo are back this week to talk through what commercial awareness really means and why so many students tend to overcomplicate it. Whether it's going back to basics, understanding what role lawyers play in the broader financial ecosystem, or recognising that law is ultimately a service industry, Aldridge and Szaniszlo give their tips on how to approach this daunting task. Szaniszlo started at Legal Cheek with little to no legal, let alone commercial, understanding, but within nine short months she's managed to secure a TC at a top US firm. Building on that experience, she talks through what worked for her, what insights she's gained from hosting events with law firms across the City and beyond, and why sometimes it's actually better to "ignore the law".

    34 min

  2. May 29

    S6EP22: How to stand out on a vac scheme for all the right reasons

    With summer vac scheme season fast approaching and thousands of solicitor hopefuls gearing up to storm law firm offices across the City and beyond, how can you make the most of the opportunity and secure that coveted TC offer? Legal Cheek brings you the answers… When candidates are so evenly matched on paper, it's often the smallest things that determine whether you walk away with a training contract offer. This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Tom Connelly share their insights on how to succeed and stand out on your vac scheme this summer (for all the right reasons) and what to steer clear of to avoid missing out on that TC. Whilst the work you do for your supervisor is often the most important part, a big chunk of succeeding on a vac scheme has very little to do with the law. Tom and Julia cover all the main bases, from punctuality and understanding confusing dress codes to navigating small talk with senior lawyers and alcohol at firm socials. Having recently completed a vacation scheme at a US firm, Julia talks through the real practicalities of tackling the legal work you're set from a non-law perspective, whether that’s about asking the right questions or the best ways to prepare for final assessments and tasks. Follow these tips and you will be in an excellent position to succeed on your upcoming scheme!

    44 min

  3. May 22

    S6EP21: How best to prepare for law school and the conversion course

    Whether you’re a sixth-former aiming for a top university or a graduate considering a career change into law, this episode offers a clear and realistic guide to navigating the path into the profession.This week on The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott break down how aspiring lawyers can best prepare for — and stand out in — the law school admissions process.From supercurriculars and smart extra reading to crafting a compelling personal statement, the pair share practical advice on how to demonstrate genuine intellectual curiosity and develop the analytical skills that top universities are really looking for.They also take listeners through each stage of the admissions journey, including personal statements, the LNAT, and interviews, offering tips on how to approach each with confidence.Finally, the episode turns to non-law students preparing for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), with Julia sharing her advice on how future law converts can hit the ground running and make the most of the intensive course from day one.

    30 min

  4. May 12

    S6EP20: Magic Circle, white shoe firms & the “global elite” — What does it all mean today?

    What exactly is the difference between the Magic Circle, the Silver Circle, White Shoe firms and today’s so-called “Global Elite” — and do any of these labels still mean anything in the modern legal market? In this episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott explore the history and evolution of elite law firm prestige, from the old Club of Nine and the emergence of the Magic Circle in the 1990s, to the origins of America’s White Shoe firms and the rise of globally dominant US players in the City of London. The pair also look at why certain firms made the cut while others did not, and how aggressive international expansion transformed the London legal scene into the global industry it is today. We also examine whether these distinctions still hold weight in an era of transatlantic mergers, lateral hiring and increasingly specialised firms, and ask whether the old hierarchy still reflects reality. Finally, they turn their attention to whether aspiring solicitors should still pay attention to labels like Magic Circle and Silver Circle when applying for training contracts, or whether factors such as culture, practice strengths, international opportunities and long-term career goals are now far more important than the prestige categorisations of the past.

    33 min

  5. May 8

    S6EP19: BigLaw’s billion-dollar AI race

    The legal AI arms race is well underway. Over the past year, elite law firms have rushed to announce partnerships with the biggest names in legal tech, as firms compete to integrate generative AI into everything from drafting and due diligence to knowledge management and workflow automation. Some firms are partnering with specialist legal AI platforms like Harvey and Legora, while others are pursuing different strategies — building bespoke in-house tools or leaning on enterprise systems like Microsoft Copilot. At the centre of this race are a handful of AI companies whose valuations have exploded into the billions. Harvey’s valuation jumped to $11 billion earlier this year, while rival Legora has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s fastest-growing legal AI startups. And as competition intensifies, these companies are increasingly turning outward with flashy brand campaigns and celebrity partnerships — from Harvey teaming up with Suits actor Gabriel Macht to Legora hiring Jude Law. On this week’s episode of The Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott discuss the biggest players in legal AI, the partnerships reshaping the legal industry, and what firms are actually hoping to achieve through AI adoption. They also explore the increasingly aggressive marketing strategies emerging in legal tech, the risks surrounding rapid AI implementation, and whether the current frenzy reflects genuine transformation — or something closer to an AI bubble.

    36 min

  6. May 1

    S6EP18: Career Conundrum — “Should I do a law degree, or should I just convert later?”

    With the SQE ushering in alternate pathways to qualification, and the non-law graduate to solicitor pipeline becoming increasingly common, there is no longer a single standard route into the legal profession. On this week’s Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott share their perspectives on whether aspiring solicitors should study law at university or pursue another subject and convert later. Ryan took the more traditional path, studying law at Cambridge before securing a training contract, while Julia studied languages at Cambridge and is now preparing to take the law conversion route, sponsored by her future firm. Together, they explore whether a law degree really gives future lawyers an advantage, considering the increasingly competitive training contract market, the cost of postgraduate legal study, and the new qualification landscape under the SQE. From the value of STEM backgrounds in IP and tech-focused practices to the soft skills and international perspective that languages graduates can bring, the pair reflect on their own degree choices and ask whether passion, employability or “commitment to law” should matter most when choosing what to study.

    44 min

  7. Apr 23

    S6EP17: How to nail Watson Glaser tests, assessment centres and the final interview

    This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott break down how to succeed in the most demanding parts of the training contract application journey. Drawing on their firsthand experience navigating what can often be a gruelling five-, six-, or even seven-stage process, they share practical insights into what firms are really looking for beyond the written application. The pair discuss how to approach interviews with confidence and structure, the best ways to prepare for online tests, and how to stand out at assessment centres. They also lift the lid on the vacation scheme — often described as a two-week interview — offering tips on how to perform well, make a strong impression, and convert it into a training contract offer. Along the way, they reflect on the common pitfalls that trip candidates up at this stage, from underestimating the importance of commercial awareness to failing to engage fully with trainees and partners during the process. They also share practical strategies for maintaining energy and focus across multiple rounds, handling rejection, and building the resilience needed to see the process through to the end.

    44 min

  8. Apr 16

    S6EP16: How to secure a training contract at a top law firm

    Securing a training contract at a top firm can feel a bit like a lottery: countless applications, limited offers, and for many aspiring solicitors, the process can seem like luck of the draw. This week on the Legal Cheek Podcast, Tom Connelly puts future Magic Circle trainee Ryan Scott in the hot seat to unpack how he successfully navigated the application process and landed a role at his dream firm. They discuss the importance of planning your time effectively during the intense application season, as well as why a well-researched and carefully curated application is essential to standing out in a crowded field. The pair also explore the value of shortlisting firms strategically, going deeper than other candidates in your research, and clearly articulating your motivations. Drawing on practical insights and experience — including lessons learned from working closely with graduate recruiters — they break down what separates successful applications from unsuccessful ones, alongside tips on building commercial awareness and performing at the later stages of the process.

    39 min
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About

Legal news, law firm insights and events. Weekly podcast about the big issues affecting the legal sector and beyond, featuring Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, editor Tom Connelly and writers Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott, as well as special guests. The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible.

Information

  • Creator
    Legal Cheek
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Legal Cheek
  • Show Website
    The Legal Cheek Podcast

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