Speed Mooting Podcast - Training tomorrow's lawyers, today!

What does intellectual property law really involve and what’s it like to build your own firm from scratch?

Speed Mooting Presents: Conversations with Counsel welcomes IP specialist Tom Broster, founding partner of Asenda Law, for an in-person conversation about intellectual property, advocacy, and building a legal career on your own terms.

Tom explains what IP law actually covers, reflects on his journey from studying IP at the University of Liverpool to working in Magic Circle firms, and discusses why he ultimately chose to set up his own practice. Alongside John Dove, he explores autonomy in legal careers, the realities of self-employment, and what motivates lawyers beyond job titles.

The episode also looks at advocacy within IP law, including opportunities before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the role of solicitors and barristers, and why attention to detail really matters. Packed with practical advice for students and aspiring lawyers, this is definitely an episode not to miss!

Episode 95 of the Speed Mooting Podcast is an audio-only special as John recovers from eye surgery - but the conversation is as lively as ever.
John and Hayley kick things off by naming the episode after Lightning McQueen (95) and Logan Paul, before diving into wrestling, Netflix’s Unreal, and Jelly Roll’s inspiring fitness journey.
They then share a packed update on what Speed Mooting has been up to in January, including:
Hayley’s first solo webinar on Life as a Commercial Lawyer

The launch and success of Advocacy in Practice events with 18 St John Street Chambers

What makes practical advocacy and real-time feedback so valuable for aspiring lawyers

In the Q&A segment, they answer listener questions on qualification timelines, regrets (or lack thereof), the importance of paralegal experience, and what they enjoy most about their legal careers — from courtroom advocacy to constant learning.
A relaxed but insightful episode covering confidence, career paths, and why experience matters more than job titles.

Episode 94 of the Speed Mooting Partners in Crime Podcast tackles a question many aspiring and junior lawyers are asking: do you really need social media to build a legal career?

John and Hayley discuss the pros and cons of using platforms like LinkedIn, the rise of legal influencers, and how social media can be used for networking, learning, and building a professional profile - while also stressing that it’s absolutely okay if social media simply isn’t for you.

The episode also features an Ask Speed Squad Q&A, covering how to deal with rejection without feedback, imposter syndrome, knowing when you “actually know what you’re doing”, and whether gaining experience across multiple areas of law really matters.

As always, the conversation mixes practical advice with honesty, humour, and real insight from practice and training.

As the new year begins, we take a moment to reflect on goal-setting, resolutions, and how to approach a new year in law without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

We then move into our #AskSpeedSquad segment, answering questions sent in by listeners. We start by discussing the solicitor-to-barrister route, including why people consider making the switch, what to think about before taking that step, and the practical advice we’d give to anyone exploring that pathway.

Next, we reflect on what success really looks like in the legal profession, how our definition of “making it” has changed since we were students, and how aspiring lawyers can set realistic and meaningful measures of success.

Finally, we tackle one of the most common challenges for junior lawyers: how to take feedback without it knocking your confidence. We share practical tips on handling criticism constructively, building resilience, and using feedback as a tool for growth.

If you found this episode helpful, please rate the podcast and follow or subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes. Your ratings really help more aspiring lawyers find the show.

Welcome to Episode 92 of Speed Mooting Presents: Partners in Crime, our first episode of 2026.In this episode, John and Hayley look ahead to what’s coming up at Speed Mooting in the new year, starting with a packed January of free events, advocacy training and skills-based opportunities for aspiring and junior lawyers. Affectionately titled The Joe Keery Special (after Joe Keery, aka Steve Harrington from Stranger Things), the episode blends light-hearted chat with practical advice for anyone thinking about a career at the Bar or as a solicitor.The conversation covers upcoming free webinars, advocacy evenings with practising barristers, the return of the Advocacy Club and Commercial Awareness Club, and major competitions planned for 2026, including the National Speed Mooting Competition and the Northern Pupillage Fair. John and Hayley also explain how Speed Mooting’s events are designed to be accessible, low-pressure and open to all levels, with opportunities allocated fairly rather than through competitive applications.The episode then moves into #AskSpeedSquad, where listener questions are answered on writing effective CVs and covering letters, avoiding common mistakes in written advocacy, and how to communicate clearly and persuasively on the page. Drawing on real experience from practice, the discussion focuses on clarity, structure and cutting out unnecessary waffle — skills that matter just as much in applications as they do in legal work.If you’re applying for pupillage, training contracts, mini-pupillages or work experience, or simply want to build confidence in advocacy and commercial thinking, this episode offers practical, honest guidance to start 2026 strongly.