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The Legal Pause: Episode 5 – Leaning into Individuality and Improving Diversity in the Law

In Episode 5 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, explores the growing conversation around mental health episodes, preserving wellbeing, and the support available to the legal profession (and those wanting to join it) with Patrick McCann CEO of The City of London Law Society and Co-Founder of City Century. 

The episode reflects Patrick’s deeply personal experiences and extreme he pressures felt when working in the law. His quest through co-founding City Century is to democratise the law and ensure that the legal profession looks more like: “a cross-section of people on a London Bus rather than old white men”. 

Democratising the law through apprenticeships

The discussion is around how initiatives like City Century can provide a route into the law that firms can support to ensure diversity in the workplace and give people access to legal roles that they would not ordinarily have. This could be individuals from lower socio-economic or minority ethnic groups. This is particularly resonant for cultures and families not willing or unable to take on debt to pay for their son or daughter to do a law degree. The aim is high for City Century in encouraging 200 solicitor apprenticeships per year by 2028! 

How law societies can support wellbeing

Patrick talks about the role of law societies and how, because they are not driven by fee earning and profit-making, can actively advocate for firms, represent them to regulators and be attentive to the workforce and their wellbeing. 

To broaden out the opportunities-agenda, Patrick refers to the fund he started to enable those working in welfare law roles (Citizens Advice, Law Centres et al) access to funds to become lawyers via the SWSQF. Some of this is funded by law societies, law firms and the SRA. 

Worrier to Warrior – the path to discovering neurodiversity

In the latter part of the podcast the discussion is around neurodiversity and how a proper assessment and diagnosis along with therapy can be life changing. Difficulties in concentrating, being hypervigilant, constantly on the go, being anxious and having to have noise on all the time may chime with some in the audience and can be signs of ADHD.  

A reminder to seek support and give support

The episode closes with an important reminder that firms should be funding support for employees and donating to The Solicitors’ Charity and LawCare. Solicitors are not immune to life’s challenges. Support is available for those who may be struggling, whether the pressures they face are emotional, physical, professional, or financial. No one should feel they have to navigate difficult moments alone. 

Listen now: The Legal Pause – Episode 5

Available on all major streaming platforms.