Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings

It gives us enormous pleasure to welcome Reagan Persaud as our guest today. Reagan is a Barrister, she works in the Leeds and North-West circuit in the UK practicing as a Family Barrister. This series is all about people who have come to the law in unusual ways, or face unusual challenges — challenges that most other people face — and Reagan is there, in spades. She was born as a man, she was born abroad, she transitioned whilst she was a Barrister, and she's now developed a successful Family practice in the North-West under the identity she always felt was hers. She is someone who has been on a remarkable journey and we could not be more glad to be able to share that journey with you. 

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is the original podcast sharing conversations about legal outsiders became leading lawyers..

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

We would also like to invite you to join the conversation and share your journey to the law, and you can email us with your comments and questions at legalglassceilings@gmail.com.

We look forward to sharing these conversations with you, and very much hope you enjoy them.

Today's conversation is with Professor Mary Jo Wiggins, Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law. Mary Jo's interest in the law started at a young age. Her father was hugely active in the civil rights movement in the 60's and through his experiences with the law, and the constraints of the law, became interested in practicing it herself. Her journey from that early inspiration has taken her through professional practice - she practiced bankruptcy law and commercial law with the firm of Ice, Miller, Donadio & Ryan - to teaching the subject at the University of San Diego where she has been both associate dean for academic affairs and vice dean. Mary Jo's passion is around providing education and support for those who are interested in becoming a lawyer.

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Charles Vega P.A. is a Florida-based lawyer who arrived into the legal profession later in life. After a successful corporate career, Charles made the decision to fulfil his life long dream of becoming an Attorney. Having completed Law School part time at night, he opened a now hugely successful Legal Practice and today, Charles speaks to David Lock KC about the challenges he faced perusing that dream and the lessons he has learnt along the way. 

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Today's guests is already a familiar voice on this podcast, but one more familiar with asking the questions than answering them. David Lock KC was called to the Bar in 1985, was awarded silk in 2011 and is a public law specialist. He was judged by a panel of leading lawyers to be the Legal 500 Public Law silk of the Year for 2020. He also sits as a Deputy High Court Judge in the King's Bench and Family Divisions. David has appeared in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal on many occasions, the High Court, the County Court, the Court of Protection, has drafted Parliamentary Bills and has advised individuals, companies and government bodies in a variety of international jurisdictions. He has vast trial experience, including cross-examining expert and lay witnesses, but also has a wide-ranging public law and appellate practice.

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Our guest today, Lady Brenda Hale, is one of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's best known lawyers. Her legal career has taken her to the very peak of the UK  judicial system as President of the Supreme Court, and the cases that she decided, along with her colleagues made it to the front pages of the newspapers. In 2004 she became the United Kingdom's first female Lords of Appeal in Ordinary after a varied career as a Professor of Law in Manchester, Law Commissioner at the Law Commission, a Judge, and she was the first woman to become the President of the Supreme Court. 

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Today, we have the great pleasure of sharing our conversation with Cherie Blair KC. Some of our listeners may know her as the wife of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, however she is a very distinguished lawyer in her own right. Cherie is a barrister, lecturer, writer, part-time judge and mentor, and we hope you enjoy the episode!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Today we are joined by David Lammy, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000. David served as a Minister in Government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, with his final role being Minster of State for Universities. David grew up in Tottenham where he won a choral scholarship that just so happened to set him on the path for a career in the Law. He studied Law at the University of Law, and was the first Black Britain to attend the Harvard Law School where he got his Masters. Enjoy. 

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers from "non traditional" backgrounds made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Today's guest is with Dr S Chelvan, a proud activist lawyer. Chelvan is a recognised specialist in the area of immigration law with particular focus on LGBTQ+ rights. We hope you enjoy Chelvan's fascinating and inspirational story. 

Dr Chelvan's photograph was taken by Chris Jepson - https://www.chrisjepson.com/

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers from "non traditional" backgrounds made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Our guest today is Dawn Brathwaite, a partner in the commercial firm of Mills and Reeve, based predominantly in Birmingham. Dawn is one of the key partners in the Health Litigation Team, takes litigation all the way up to the Court of Appeal and beyond, and is hugely respected in her sector.

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers from "non traditional" backgrounds made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

It is our vey great pleasure to be able to introduce today's guest, Nahida Kayum. Nahida is a Solicitor at North Yorkshire County Council, and specialises in Health and Social Care and regulatory matters. Although she entered university to study Psychology, she very quickly realised that Law was what she should be doing. Her journey has been one of persistence, and as you will hear, her grit and determination has proved those that doubted her wrong. 

Enjoy!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

We are delighted to welcome Connie Purdy, one of the rising stars of the Family Law Bar in the North West, to Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings! Connie's journey to becoming a barrister is a shining example of perseverance in spite of adversity. We sincerely hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we  did!

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock QC explores how successful lawyers made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Today we have the pleasure of speaking to Helal Ahmed, a Barrister at Spire Barristers in Leeds. Helal was previously a solicitor before retraining and has a fascinating background. Enjoy. 

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law.

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers from "non traditional" backgrounds made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Our guest today is Rosaleen Kilbane, one of the Founder partners and now Managing Partner of the Community Law Partnership, a multi-award winning social welfare law practice in Birmingham. Rosaleen has previously chaired the Law Society’s Housing Law Committee and been on the Civil Litigation Committee. In 2012 she as the Legal Action Group’s Social Welfare Lawyer of the Year, and she sits as a Deputy District Judge.

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Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings is a series of conversations with leading lawyers from backgrounds outside the law. 

David Lock KC explores how successful lawyers from "non traditional" backgrounds made it into the professions, what they did to get on, what legal practice demanded from them, what they did to stand out from their peers, and their top tips for the aspiring lawyers of tomorrow.

Welcome to Breaking Legal Glass Ceilings. 

Over the coming weeks we will be sharing conversations with leading members of the legal profession who have entered the law from "non-traditional backgrounds" and found great success in spite of, or indeed because of their unique and varied experiences. 

The series will be launching in full on November 30th so subscribe to hear all the latest conversations.