Description

In episode 17 of ReImagineLaw, we welcome self-employed barrister Sonal Dashani and the Deputy Director of Clerking Emma Makepeace, from 25 Bedford Row.  

This episodes explores how self-employed practice at the criminal bar differs from the role of an employed barrister.  Our guest give a real insight to business of a set of chambers and the individual businesses of the barristers within them.  This episode looks at the symbiotic collaboration between barristers and clerks, building a business, and the importance of marketing to professional clients, typically solicitors. 

Listeners might be interested to listen to episode 14 (“A Career as a Barrister, More Than you Might Assume”) alongside this episode. 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

1. Write a ‘for and against’ list for both an employed barrister and a self-employed barrister. Make sure these relate to your life, values and priorities. 
2. Think about the role of a clerk and how they support the legal services market (this link might be helpful: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/barristers-clerk).  Do a ‘for and against’ list for this role.  Could a role in the provision of legal services but not as a lawyer be the right path for you?  

Useful resources:

• The Inns of Court: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/the-bar/the-inns-of-court.
• Past Seminars from 25 Bedford Row: https://www.25bedfordrow.com/site/seminars/past-seminars/
• The role of a clerk: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/barristers-clerk
• About the Bar: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about/about-the-bar.html