Mission Possible: Leading, Managing and Delivering

In this episode, Sarah Williamson, Partner and Head of Commercial & Technology at Boyes Turner, sits down with Sharon Evans, former Chief Legal Officer at TotallyMoney, to explore how in-house lawyers can expand their influence and demonstrate value within their organisations.

Sharon shares how meeting teams where they are joining stand-ups, using Slack instead of rigid forms, and speaking their language can help legal feel like part of the business, not apart from it. She also touches on how guiding colleagues through a crisis can build trust faster than anything else.

When it comes to senior stakeholders, Sharon explains how tailoring communication to the audience whether it’s the CEO, investors, or the board makes all the difference. Her advice on proving value? Don’t obsess over KPIs unless they truly fit your business. Sometimes, success is measured in the absence of friction and in spotting opportunities before anyone else, like getting ahead of GDPR or using AI responsibly.

A smart, practical conversation about influence, trust, and making legal a strategic partner at the table.

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Mission Possible: Leading, Managing and Delivering

In this episode, Andy Whiteaker, Partner and Head of Employment at Boyes Turner, is joined by Christian Waida from OpenText and Ben Martin from Wordsmith to talk about what it really takes to balance being both a lawyer and a manager.

They dive into how to build a positive team culture where people feel supported, trusted, and motivated to do their best work. Ben shares why empowering juniors to take the lead and making space for fun and connection keeps teams engaged, while Christian talks about creating an environment where people actually enjoy what they do because when they do, everyone wins.

The panel also tackles trust, transparency, and the importance of following through on your promises as a leader. Plus, they explore how to hire the right people, focusing on attitude and willingness to learn over technical skills.

A thoughtful conversation on leadership, culture, and building teams that thrive inside and outside the legal world.

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In this transparent and inspiring conversation with Rowan Turrall, Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, Emma Lilley shares her remarkable journey from entering law through clearing (after missing the grades for her preferred music degree) to becoming Head of Legal at SDWorks. Her path challenges every conventional assumption about what makes a successful lawyer, demonstrating how determination and authenticity can triumph over traditional expectations.

Emma's discovery of in-house legal practice during a gap year in Australia became the foundation for her career path. Rather than following the prescribed route through private practice, she forged her own way, ultimately qualifying and building a legal function from scratch. Her practical advice on succeeding as a sole counsel – prioritising relationships before implementing changes – offers valuable insights for anyone establishing legal operations in a business setting.

Perhaps most valuable is Emma's detailed explanation of how the SQE qualification route has made in-house training more accessible than ever before. For aspiring lawyers and legal leaders alike, she demystifies the process and makes a compelling case for why businesses should offer these opportunities.

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