Share

cover art for Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Roots of Toxicity in Law

More Than A Lawyer

Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Roots of Toxicity in Law

Is there tension between making money and being ethical in law and does this lead to a culture of toxicity?


Today me and Helen Pamely are sitting down with senior partner of SMB (Simons Muirhead Burton), one of the law firms representing the individuals and families affected by the post office scandal.


We dive into the question:

What is the true root of toxicity within the legal industry?


Simon is Senior Partner at SMB and joint head of both the Media and Corporate, Commercial & Finance teams. He is a commercial media lawyer with specialist experience in publishing, film and television finance, production and distribution as well as in media-related corporate transactions.


Find out more here:

https://www.smb.london/expertise/media-and-communications-disputes/

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Become a LinkedIn Networking Ninja

    31:16|
    Networking has evolved. It’s no longer just about online messages or face-to-face events - it’s about integrating the two to build relationships that actually move the needle. Join us for an insightful LinkedIn Live where we’ll dive into the exact strategies we use to turn online connections into real-world opportunities. We’ll show you how to use LinkedIn as your foundation and seamlessly transition those relationships offline to land clients, secure career-changing partnerships, and build a network that lasts. If you’re ready to level up your networking and make every interaction count - both online and off - then this session is for you. Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • The Watercooler Exclusive: Ep 10: Why the Legal Industry Needs to Embrace Failure

    29:50|
    Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • Highlights: The Psychology Of Behaviour In Law

    14:25|
    Enjoy the best bits of episodes that discuss the psychology of behaviour in law. Episodes feature: Grace Williams, Olivia James and Alana Tart.---------Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • LinkedIn for Lawyers Masterclass: Strategies to Attract and Close High-Value Clients

    39:21|
    Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • Freelancer To Law Firm Owner: Challenging The Traditional Legal Mentality

    29:32|
    Imagine having no salary, no clients, no savings to fall back on and jumping completely into the unknown. But what if the only way to change your life is to do the things that some aren't willing to do?Running a business in the legal world isn't easy and growing one is even harder. The traditional legal models can feel restrictive, stuck and outdated in parts.Today I'm talking with Hannah Strawbridge founder of Han Law and we have a really frank conversation about what it takes to thrive in the changing legal world. Hannah started out as a freelancer and then built a successful employment law business. Han Law was created to be a disruptor to the legal industry. After becoming disillusioned by the traditional law firm mentality, and witnessing too many colleagues either leave the profession or ‘burn out’, Hannah adopted a new business model - to prove that there was another way of working that benefitted both team and clients. Check out Han Law here: https://hanlawco.com/ Check out Hannah Strawbridge on LinkedIn
  • How Lawyer Gets 2 MILLION views In 90 days On LinkedIn

    24:44|
    Angela has blown up her LinkedIn:4 MILLION impressions (+8,055%)8,669 reactions (+1,866%)2,029 comments (+1,908%)11,036 total engagements (+1,874%)Her top post reached 2 MILLION viewsHer follower count exploded from 800 to over 6KIn this episode listen to HOW she did it.Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • The Watercooler Exclusive BONUS: LinkedIn Leverage: Convert Connections & Win Clients

    17:52|
    Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/
  • Can You Truly Prioritize Health in a Culture Obsessed with Hustle?

    39:17|
    We’re often Type A, perfectionists, driven to succeed. But at what cost?The legal world rewards the grind.Long hours, back-to-back meetings, endless emails.We push ourselves because we think that’s what it takes.But here's the thing – are we burning out without even realizing it?When you’re always running at 100%, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. I used to think I could power through it. But now, I see the cracks.The constant stress, the lack of balance… it catches up with you.Here’s what I’ve learned: prioritizing health isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.If we keep ignoring it, we’ll pay the price.What if we stopped glorifying the hustle? What if we made room for well-being?Because in the end, a burned-out lawyer isn’t a successful one.Today I'm talking with Grace Williams, ex solicitor turned Health & Nutrition coach working with ambitious women to create more energy, balance and success in both their health & work, focusing on nutrition and lifestyle tools to manage stress and improve their gut health.In this episode, find out as a lawyer to prioritise health in a culture that thrives on grinding. Find out how to recognise burn out in yourself and how to put your wellbeing first in law. Contact Grace Williamsemail (grace@gdocumented.com), website (https://www.gdocumented.com) and a link to my LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/grace-williams-coach)----------------------------------------JOIN THE LINKEDIN ACADEMY FOR LAWYERS HERE:Whether you want to make partner, go in-house, or start something new completely.The best and quickest way to get to where you want is LinkedIn.Hands down.At least, that’s what we’ve found.If you want to know how to build a profile that:Magnetises clients and opportunities on LinkedInGives you the tools to write posts that get noticedGrow a network that opens doorsJOIN THE ACADEMY HERE: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/The Demand for LinkedIn Content Is Sky-HighBut only a small percentage of users are actively posting.This means there’s a huge opportunity for those who do.(YOU.)🎉 And you know what is even more exciting?There is very little competition in the legal industry when it comes to posting on LinkedIn.This is your chance to get ahead while LinkedIn’s popularity is soaring, yet the platform remains far unsaturated.(In terms of QUALITY content.)⏰ Your time is NOW.Join a community of like-minded professionalsHere: https://helenpamely.com/the-linkedin-academy-for-lawyers/