The Legal Pause

In Episode 9 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Brett Dixon, incoming President of the Law Society of England and Wales, to explore disability, inclusion, changing careers, technology and wellbeing across the legal profession.  
Brett reflects on his journey through law, from personal injury practice and improving access to justice for vulnerable people to consultancy and his hopes for his Law Society presidential year.  
The conversation explores why disability needs to become a more routine and accepted conversation within the profession and what firms and other types of employers can do to remove barriers. The opportunities presented by technology and AI are also examined, and why organisations across the legal sector need to work together to support solicitors throughout their careers.  

In Episode 8 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Dr I. Stephanie Boyce CBE, Chair of The Solicitors’ Charity and former President of the Law Society of England and Wales, to explore resilience, leadership, inclusion and wellbeing across the legal profession. 
Stephanie reflects on the barriers she faced entering and progressing through law, the persistence that saw her elected Law Society President on her fourth attempt, and why helping people gain access to the profession must be matched by helping them remain, thrive and feel supported within it. 
The conversation also explores the role of The Solicitors’ Charity, the pressures affecting solicitors today and Stephanie’s belief that “a problem shared is a problem halved.”  

In Episode 7 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Richard Martin, CEO of the Mindful Business Charter, to explore burnout, pressure, and the realities of “always on” culture within the legal profession. 
Together, they discuss recognising early warning signs, the impact working practices can have on wellbeing, and why healthier and more sustainable ways of doing business matter across legal life. The conversation also explores recovery, openness, and the role both individuals and organisations can play in creating supportive professional environments. 

In Episode 6 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Mark Evans, President of The Law Society of England and Wales, to explore the pressures shaping today’s legal profession. 
They discuss the rise of an “always on” culture, driven by client expectations and technology, and the impact this is having on solicitors’ working lives. The episode also examines why, despite growing awareness of wellbeing, many in the profession still find it difficult to ask for help. 
It’s a candid conversation about leadership, openness, and the attitudinal shift needed to create a more supportive legal profession.  

In Episode 5 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Patrick McCann, Chief Executive of the City of London Law Society and Co-Founder of City Century, to discuss diversity, individuality, and the realities of sustaining a career in the legal profession. 
They explore the pressures many solicitors face behind the scenes, the importance of recognising early signs of mental health episodes, and how initiatives like City Century are helping widen access to legal careers through apprenticeships. 
🎧 Listen now: https://thesolicitorscharity.org/the-legal-pause/

In the fourth episode of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Eugene Farrell, Trustee of The Solicitors’ Charity, to explore the pressures of life in law and why so many solicitors find it difficult to speak up when things feel hard. 
Together, they discuss how stress can build quietly over time, the impact that pressure can have on confidence and wellbeing, and why early support matters. Eugene also shares why creating space for honest conversation is an important step towards a healthier, more sustainable profession.
🎧 Listen now: https://thesolicitorscharity.org/the-legal-pause/

In the third episode of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Anita McCallum, Director of Impact and Development, to discuss how the charity supports solicitors through life’s challenges and why building a sustainable future for that support matters. 
They explore rising demand for help, how impact is measured sensitively, and the role of unclaimed client balances and Firm Friends in ensuring solicitors never face hardship alone. 
🎧 Listen now: https://thesolicitorscharity.org/the-legal-pause/
 

In the second episode of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Carla Hoppe, founder of Wealthbrite, to unpack one of the profession’s growing challenges: financial wellbeing. 
Together, they explore why so many solicitors struggle with money worries early in their careers, how financial stress links directly to mental health, and why prevention through education is essential for a resilient profession. 
They also discuss the partnership between The Solicitors’ Charity and Wealthbrite – and how funded access to financial skills training is helping junior solicitors build confidence, stability and long-term financial health. 
🎧 Listen now: thesolicitorscharity.org/the-legal-pause

In the first episode of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare, to explore the wellbeing challenges facing today’s legal professionals. 
Together, they discuss how Life in the Law research helped shape practical support – from therapy and emotional guidance to career coaching through Renovo – and why collaboration is key to creating a healthier, more sustainable profession.
Hear from the ACO Award-winning partners working side by side to support solicitors in times of need.
🎧 Listen now: thesolicitorscharity.org/the-legal-pause

Take a moment to pause and hear real conversations about wellbeing, challenges, and change in the solicitors' profession. Each month, guests from across the sector and The Solicitors' Charity share insights to help you thrive in law.