Chelsea Brooke Ward, an Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, hosts the podcast "The Diary of a Barrister." She is dedicated to inspiring both professionals and law students, aiming to help lawyers become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally. The podcast seeks to demystify the legal world, covering topics from courtroom advocacy to the challenges of building a career at the bar.

In a recent episode, Chelsea interviews Panache, a legal assistant who completed the bar in 2021 after initially finishing her exams in 2020. They discuss the pupillage process, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the importance of sharing experiences among aspiring barristers. Panache shares her educational background, having studied NLB Law with Criminology at Keele University and later attending BPP University for her BPTC.

Panache reflects on her undergraduate experience, noting that while she wished she had taken a gap year, she found the academic transition manageable. However, she describes the jump from law school to bar school as significant, likening it to a full-time job with a heavy workload. Chelsea and Panache agree that treating bar school like a job, dedicating specific hours to study, is crucial for success.

The conversation shifts to the importance of gaining legal experience. Panache emphasizes that any experience is valuable and encourages students to leverage transferable skills from previous jobs. She recounts her own journey of applying for mini-pupillages, noting the difficulty of securing these opportunities and the emotional toll it can take. Despite applying to around ten mini-pupillages, she was only successful in securing two.

As they discuss the pupillage application process, Panache shares her strategies for managing applications while working. She highlights the importance of networking and reaching out to legal professionals for guidance, which has helped her gain a better understanding of what chambers look for in applicants.

Chelsea and Panache also touch on the need for more mentorship opportunities within the legal profession. Panache suggests that barristers should proactively reach out to students on platforms like LinkedIn to offer mentorship, and she advocates for universities to create more connections between students and practicing barristers.

The episode concludes with Chelsea expressing her commitment to helping aspiring barristers navigate the challenges of the profession, emphasizing the importance of support and community in achieving success.

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Chelsea Brooke Ward, an Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, hosts the podcast "The Diary of a Barrister." She is dedicated to inspiring both professionals and law students, aiming to help lawyers become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally. The podcast seeks to demystify the legal world, covering topics from courtroom advocacy to the challenges of building a career at the bar.

In a recent episode, Chelsea speaks with Charlotte, a current Bar Practice School student who is also a full-time paralegal in conveyancing. Charlotte shares her experiences of juggling her studies with her demanding job, noting the challenges of transitioning between "solicitor mode" and "barrister mode." Despite the difficulties, she finds the skills she is developing to be highly transferable and emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in her journey.

When asked if she would change anything about her current path, Charlotte reflects on her workload and suggests that working part-time instead of full-time might allow her to focus more on her studies. She acknowledges the volume of work required for the bar course and the challenges of fitting in extracurricular activities like mooting and mini-pupillages.

Charlotte expresses gratitude for her supportive boss, who has been accommodating of her commitments to the bar course. She describes her workplace as a small, traditional firm where she feels valued and given responsibility, contrasting her experience with that of peers in larger firms who may not receive the same level of flexibility.

The conversation shifts to Charlotte's educational background, where she discusses her undergraduate studies at Leeds Beckett University and her current studies at the University of Law. She notes the differences between her law degree, which was heavily theoretical, and the practical focus of the bar course.

Charlotte recounts her early interest in becoming a barrister, sparked by a work experience opportunity at Mould Crown Court during her A-levels. However, she admits to feeling unprepared for the journey ahead, lacking guidance on the steps necessary to pursue a career at the bar.

As they discuss the challenges of applying for pupillage, Charlotte shares her experiences with rejections and the emotional toll it can take. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and the need for support from the legal community, highlighting the positivity she has encountered at events like the International Women's Day panel.

In closing, Charlotte offers advice to others in her position: to ignore naysayers and to believe in their ability to succeed. Chelsea echoes this sentiment, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their journeys and that perseverance is key. The episode concludes with a message of encouragement for aspiring barristers, reinforcing the idea that with determination, success is attainable.

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Chelsea Brooke Ward, an Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, hosts the podcast "Diary of a Barrister." She is dedicated to inspiring both professionals and law students, aiming to help lawyers become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally. The podcast seeks to demystify the legal world, covering topics from courtroom advocacy to the challenges of building a career at the bar.

In a recent episode, Chelsea and her co-host, Jodie Hill, Managing Partner at Thrive Laws, shared their experiences from a yoga retreat where they focused on self-care and setting boundaries. They discussed the challenges professionals face in switching off from work, especially in high-demand careers like law. Chelsea emphasized her advocacy for mental health and self-care, noting how yoga has played a crucial role in her well-being.

During their retreat, they engaged in numerous yoga classes, surf lessons, and spent time in nature, which helped them realize the importance of taking breaks. Jodie, who has ADHD, shared her struggles with switching off and the necessity of saying no to various demands on their time. They both acknowledged that saying no is vital for maintaining personal boundaries and ensuring they can focus on their creative projects, such as the book they are writing together.

The duo reflected on the importance of managing expectations and communication with clients and colleagues. Chelsea noted that it took her time to relax during the retreat, highlighting the need for extended periods away from work to recharge and foster creativity. They discussed how busy professionals often feel pressured to respond immediately to messages and emails, which can lead to burnout.

Throughout the episode, they shared practical tips for self-care, including the significance of a balanced diet, gratitude practices, and the benefits of disconnecting from technology. They encouraged listeners to identify their stress triggers and the activities that bring them joy, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in managing stress and enhancing productivity.

Chelsea and Jodie concluded the episode by discussing the lessons they learned about patience and the value of slowing down. They recognized that taking time to appreciate life and the world around them can lead to greater fulfillment and creativity. They expressed their commitment to sharing more insights on mental health and entrepreneurship in future episodes, inviting listeners to engage and share their own experiences.

Sign up to the mailing list for the Pupillage Programme:

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