Diary of a Barrister - The Lawyer Diaries
"The Diary of Barrister - The Lawyer Diaries" with your host Chelsea Brooke-Ward
Welcome to “The Diary of a Barrister – The Lawyer Diaries”, your weekly dose of candid conversations, career advice, and insider insights on all things law, hosted by Chelsea Brooke-Ward. Chelsea is an award-winning Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, one of the largest sets in the North East, and she’s here to demystify the legal world for those determined to break into it — and thrive.
Each episode, Chelsea shares her journey from a non-traditional, non-legal background to building a successful career at the Bar. Expect raw, honest, and inspiring episodes as she opens up about the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and what it really takes to stand out in this competitive profession.
Along the way, Chelsea will be joined by a range of guests — from aspiring barristers and legal professionals to trailblazing role models — offering a 360° view of what life in law looks like, and the many paths to success. You’ll hear stories of setbacks, resilience, and breakthroughs, all packed with practical tips you can use right now.
Whether you’re navigating pupillage applications, chasing scholarships, preparing for interviews, or already working in the legal field and striving to push boundaries — this is the podcast for you. It’s smart, empowering, and unfiltered.
"The Diary of Barrister - The Lawyer Diaries" is your go-to resource for a weekly dose of knowledge, motivation, and practical advice. Whether you're a law student with big dreams , an aspiring lawyer seeking to break barriers, or lawyer wanting to smash glass ceilings this is your podcast, your trusted companion on this remarkable journey into the legal world.
Subscribe now and let Chelsea be your mentor in your ears — motivating, informing, and cheering you on every step of the way. Success in law begins with knowledge, and this podcast is your key to unlocking a bright future in the legal field.
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Diary of a Barrister - The Lawyer Diaries
It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know!
Sign up to the mailing list for the Pupillage Programme:
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https://www.instagram.com/diaryofapupil?igsh=MXVtbnhmcDcyaHo5Mg==
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-graves/?originalSubdomain=uk
In this episode of The Diary of a Barrister, Chelsea Brooke-Ward, an Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, and Brad Graves, an Aspiring Barrister discuss currently navigating the challenging journey to Pupillage and the application process.
We kick off the episode by discussing the intense process of pupillage applications, with Brad sharing his experiences of balancing a full-time job while dedicating his spare time to crafting his applications. He emphasises the importance of setting aside specific times to reflect on feedback and develop his responses, highlighting the struggle many face when trying to articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
Chelsea opens up about her personal challenges, including his ADHD, which affects her memory, and how she combats this by maintaining a spreadsheet of achievements and public speaking engagements. We delve into the common questions that arise in pupillage applications, such as motivations for becoming a barrister and the attributes that make a good barrister, and Brad shares his strategies for preparing for interviews even before receiving offers.
As we reflect on Brad's journey over the past three years since he decided on a career in law, he expresses how the experiences he has gained have not only filled his CV but also built his confidence. He articulates a shift in mindset from feeling like he needs to prove himself to recognising his worth and readiness to be a Barrister. This transformation is crucial as he prepares for interviews, viewing them as a two-way process where he can assess whether the chambers are a good fit for him as well.
We discuss the importance of self-awareness in this journey, emphasising that aspiring barristers must honestly evaluate their readiness for the role. Brad shares a powerful analogy about a slingshot, illustrating the idea of preparation and readiness before launching into the next phase of his career.
The conversation also touches on practical advice for gaining experience, such as seeking out mini-pupillages and the importance of networking. Brad recounts his own experiences of approaching barristers directly and the value of being proactive in seeking opportunities.
Towards the end of the episode, we reflect on the qualities that chambers look for in candidates, emphasising that while academic knowledge is important, character traits like determination, motivation, and initiative are what truly set candidates apart. We conclude with a reminder that success in the legal field is not just about what you know, but also about how you apply yourself and the connections you make along the way.