Podcast · Business

Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE

by Women in the Law UK · English · Business

Presented by multi-award winning barrister Sally Penni, Talking Law profiles leading figures in UK law as they discuss the highs and lows of their career plus the challenges and realities of the legal profession. From Women in the Law UK www.womeninthelawuk.com

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 47 min
Latest: 29 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

29 Sep 2026 · 44 min

Denise Breen-Lawton KC

Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Denise Breen-Lawton KC. Denise is a criminal barrister at St Philips Chambers. She acts for both the prosecution and the defence in serious and complex cases, with particular experience in terrorism, homicide, fraud and organised crime. Denise was the first in her family to go to university, and she reflects on what that meant to her and on social mobility in the profession. You'll also hear how she came to the Bar via an unconventional route, after first s...

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

11 Apr 2026 · 51 min
Merry Varney
Content warning: references to suicide, depression In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here. Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Merry Varney. Merry is a Partner & Solicitor in the Human Rights Department at the Law Firm Leigh Day. In this episode, you’ll hear about Merry’s pivotal role in the in...
2 Apr 2026 · 50 min
Mark Emerton
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Mark Emerton. Mark is a Governor at the University of Lincoln, and a now retired employment judge. In this episode, you’ll hear how Mark’s route to the Bar started in the Royal Navy, where amongst his other responsibilities, he sat as a judge in court-marshalls. Sally and Mark discuss his appointment by the Prime Minister as the Judicial Member of the Senior Salaries Review Body to lead a major review of judicial salaries. And you’ll hear about ...
17 Oct 2025 · 40 min
John Bowers KC
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with John Bowers KC. John is the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford and he sits out of term as a Deputy High Court Judge. John has been described as "an employment law rock star”. John discusses with Sally some of his landmark employment law cases, including overturning the ban on gay servicemen. You’ll hear how John handles the different responsibilities of each of his roles, including what he’s learnt from his time as a high court judge. Plus, John s...
20 May 2025 · 30 min
Professor Duncan French
Dr Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Professor Duncan French Professor Duncan French is Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Health & Science at the University of Lincoln. Duncan shares with Sally his passion for international environmental law and the legal implications of climate change Duncan and Sally discuss how his life has changed since his career move to the University of Lincoln, and his advice for students who are considering law. You’ll hear key areas of interest for Du...
13 May 2025 · 45 min
Emma Riach
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Emma Riach Emma is an experienced Attorney at Stanbrook Prudhoe, specialising in complex and cross-border cases. Emma discusses with Sally how her work has spanned England, France, and now the Turks and Caicos Islands. You’ll hear how Emma got her start working in French tax law, and some of the challenges that came along with it. Plus, Emma shares highlights from her career advising on contentious matters for Fortune 500 companies. This episode is supporte...
13 Dec 2024 · 57 min
Sam Townend KC
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Sam Townend KC Sam is the chairman of the Bar Council and he tells Sally about the diverse roles and responsibilities of the Bar Council, the challenges of his chair year and his journey to becoming a barrister. You’ll also hear Sam talk about the importance of advocacy experience, and the significance of addressing diversity, equality and inclusion within the legal profession. Plus, Sam offers his advice on succeeding in the profession for new and progres...
15 Nov 2024 · 48 min
Nadia Chiesa
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nadia Chiesa. Nadia is a litigator at Stanbrook Prudhoe where she specialises in complex commercial litigation and multi-jurisdictional disputes. In this interview, Sally and Nadia discuss her journey from studying journalism in Canada to practising law in the Caribbean. Nadia details her involvement in impactful LGBTQ+ constitutional challenges across the Eastern Caribbean and offers advice for aspiring lawyers. You’ll also hear why Nadia emphasises the im...
8 Nov 2024 · 1 hr 15 min
Sam Cottman
Sally Penni MBE is talking law with Sam Cottman. Sam is a Partner and Head of Pro Bono at Travers Smith. He’s also the founder of the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA) and the Cottman Foundation. Sam shares his unconventional path into law, transitioning from studying languages to pursuing a legal career. He discusses his extensive pro bono work, particularly with survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, and his role in establishing the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (...
5 Nov 2024 · 33 min
Figen Murray OBE
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Figen Murray OBE Figen shares her journey following the tragic loss of her son, Martyn Hett, in the Manchester Arena attack on May 22, 2017. Figen and Sally discuss her relentless campaign for 'Martyn's Law,' which mandates that venues implement security measures to protect against terrorism. Figen discusses the challenges she faced in lobbying for legislation and her personal struggles along the way. This episode is sponsored by the University of Sal...
25 Oct 2024 · 47 min
Natasha Chahal
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Natasha Chahal Natasha is an associate in Addleshaw Goddard's London office. She advises on a range of complex commercial disputes including claims for breach of contract, competition claims and business protection proceedings. Sally and Natasha discuss the different routes that can be taken into law, including Natasha’s experience with a law conversion course. Natasha tells Sally about creating the Ethnic Business Growth Programme at Addleshaw Goddar...
22 Mar 2024 · 54 min
Ann Francke OBE
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Ann Francke OBE Ann Francke is the CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, the UK's leading professional body for management and leadership. In this interview, Ann talks about equality in the workplace and how all organisations, including law firms, can do more to promote women to leadership positions. Plus, Ann and Sally discuss why a good relationship with your line manager is one of the most important things at work. You’ll hear some of the well...
23 Feb 2024 · 52 min
Joanna Hughes
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Joanna Hughes. Joanna is the creator of Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships and Advisor to the City Century career creating collaboration of 50+ City of London law firms which identifies, attracts, recruits, onboards, educates, networks, develops and qualifies significant numbers of talented and committed solicitor apprentices. Joanna and Sally discuss why Solicitor Apprenticeships are an attractive route into the law for employees and employers al...
12 Dec 2023 · 27 min
The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis. Victoria has served as Attorney General for England and Wales since 2022. She is also a Government Minister, and the MP for Banbury. Sally and Victoria discuss the day to day role of Attorney General and what that entails. Victoria also shares insights into how the crossover between law and politics in her career came about. They discuss the importance of increasing diversity when it comes to gov...
8 Nov 2023 · 35 min
Lisa Abrahams & Emma Wilson
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lisa Abrahams & Emma Wilson. Lisa and Emma both work in insurance at ARAG, which provides legal insurance products on a global scale. Lisa and Emma both discuss how they came to their careers via alternative routes, and stress that it’s never too late to start. They also discuss the improvements they’ve seen in diversity in their roles. Emma shares the role that ARAG has played in some high-profile medical negligence cases in the UK. T...
1 Nov 2023 · 32 min
Sarah Foster
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Sarah Foster. Sarah is a Partner in Restructuring at Addleshaw Goddard, where she provides advice on all aspects of restructuring; including business support, turnaround and insolvency. Sarah shares her journey from studying history and history of art at university, through to taking a conversion course and training in the firm. They also discuss Addleshaw Goddard’s approach to encouraging diversity in their law careers, including their apprenti...
S3 · E5 · 6 Jul 2023 · 45 min
Susanna McGibbon
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Susanna McGibbon Susanna McGibbon is His Majesty’s Procurator General, the Treasury Solicitor and the Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department, or GLD. She is the most senior civil servant who gives legal advice to the government of the day. Susanna and Sally discuss the important distinction that whilst she and the GLD act in their client’s best interests, they are politically impartial. They reflect on Susanna’s passion fo...
25 May 2023 · 1 hr 36 min
Michael Mansfield KC
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Michael Mansfield KC Michael was called to the Bar in 1967. In 1984, he established Tooks Chambers and became Queen's Counsel in 1989. He has represented defendants in criminal trials, appeals and inquiries in some of the most controversial legal cases the country has seen, particularly where issues of Civil Liberty have arisen. Sally and Michael discuss some of the high-profile cases Michael has worked on, including Stephen Lawrence and the Grenfell Inquir...
13 May 2023 · 55 min
Nicola Williams
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nicola Williams. Nicola is the author of the hit novels Without Prejudice and Until Proven Innocent. She’s also a part-time Crown Court Judge and one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK. Nicola shares with Sally her journey to the bar, and how the skills she learnt there took her to the Cayman Islands. Nicola shares her insights into the life of a legal professional, as she tried to balance her career as a part-time Crown Court Judge an...
5 May 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Nik White
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nik White. Nik has been the Managing Partner of Brabners since 2018. With a background in commercial law, he has devoted his working career to the firm, having joined as a trainee solicitor in 1995. Brabners is a leading independent law firm which helps private, public and third-sector organisations, as well as private individuals. They recently worked on the now infamous “Wagatha Christie” case for their client Colleen Rooney. Sally disc...
27 Apr 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Lord Jonathan Sumption
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lord Jonathan Sumption Lord Sumption is a former senior judge who sat on the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Sally and Lord Sumption reflect on his career, the cases he enacted on as a barrister, including the Abramovich case, and why Lord Sumption once said it will take 50 years to achieve true equality at the bar. Sally and Lord Sumption also discuss the 2019 prorogation case, although he did not act on this case he shares his perspective. During ...
S2 · E13 · 27 Jan 2023 · 1 hr 36 min
Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas Dr Shaun Wallace is a Barrister at Great James Street Chambers and is also well known to the public as a celebrity quizzer. He was the first black man to win Mastermind and is now a permanent staple on ITV’s The Chase. Dr Wallace tells Sally about how he’s been driven to be a lawyer since the age of 11, but he hasn’t always been regarded as intelligent. Dr Wallace shares how you should never rest on your laurels, as each new mi...
S2 · E12 · 18 Jan 2023 · 46 min
Chad Doellinger
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Chad Doellinger. Chad is the Senior Vice President; Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Operations Officer for CBRE's global legal department. Chad balances his day job with a teaching position at Chicago Law School, alongside life with four children and four dogs. He tells Sally all about his career history and his route to becoming Deputy General Counsel. Sally and Chad share their views on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. They come to the conclusion that...
S2 · E11 · 12 Jan 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
Lord David Pannick KC
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lord David Pannick KC, a Barrister at Blackstone Chambers who specialises in public law and appellate advocacy. He is also a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford and a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords. David talks over his 40 year career and some of his most memorable cases including the case for Gina Miller on the unlawful prorogation of Parliament in 2019, he tells Sally all about the experience of dealing on such a public and politically significant...
S2 · E10 · 6 Oct 2022 · 33 min
Erin Shoesmith
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Erin Shoesmith, partner at Addleshaw Goddard where she leads the health and safety practice. She is regularly instructed by the firm's leading corporate clients and individuals facing prosecution or investigation by the Police, HSE, Local Fire & Rescue Service. Her practice also covers inquests and public inquiries, including most recently the Grenfell Tower and Manchester Arena Inquiries. Erin reflects on one of the most poignant cases of her...
S2 · E9 · 29 Sep 2022 · 37 min
Christina Blacklaws
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Christina Blacklaws, a former President of the Law Society of England and Wales who now runs her own consultancy business providing strategic advice particularly in the areas of transformational change, technological developments and diversity and inclusion. Hear Christina reflect on a fascinating portfolio career with roles ranging from advising government on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the law, to helping the The Co-operative Group set...
S2 · E8 · 22 Sep 2022 · 30 min
Shelley McGivern
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Shelley McGivern, partner in the Corporate team at Addleshaw Goddard and co-head of the Firm's SciTech sector. Shelley has a wealth of experience advising both corporate and institutional clients across a number of sectors with a particular focus on acquisitions and disposals and joint ventures in the real estate sector. Shelley talks about ‘flexing’ her career; progressing professionally whilst juggling a busy home life with her children – someth...
S2 · E7 · 8 Sep 2022 · 38 min
Alice Stephenson
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Alice Stephenson, Founder & CEO of Stephenson Law. Hear how Alice struggled with progression in the law whilst being a young Mum, and became so disillusioned with the profession that she even decided to quit. Inspired by her entrepreneur husband, she then started her own law firm to see if she could carve her own path within the industry. Alice and her firm are extremely creative in their use of social media and Alice says authenticity ...
S2 · E6 · 5 Sep 2022 · 1 hr 17 min
Jo Sidhu
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Jo Sidhu, a criminal barrister who is widely regarded as one of the leading criminal trial lawyers in the UK and has appeared in some of England’s most serious prosecutions. Jo served as the Chair of the Criminal Bar Association in 2021-22. Jo explains what motivated him to become a criminal barrister, and tries to explain why many in the profession are protesting; a response to what he describes as a ‘process of attrition and by neglect from succ...
S2 · E5 · 1 Sep 2022 · 30 min
Ayo Onatade
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Ayo Onatade who is a personal assistant to judges based at the Supreme Court. Ayo describes her many roles and responsibilities, and details what it’s like to work at the highest court in the United Kingdom. Ayo is also a freelance commentator on crime fiction, writing articles and featuring on panels about the genre. Ayo explains how she found her love of crime fiction, and shares some of her favourite novels. Ayo also reflects on what it was lik...

About Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE

Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE is a English business podcast from Women in the Law UK. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Women in the Law UK
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 47 min
Latest episode: 29 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1446876356

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English business

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.