Building Your Legal Career: The Importance of Networking and Mentorship Artwork

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.

https://mailchi.mp/483601e8219a/diary-of-a-pupil

https://www.instagram.com/diaryofa_barrister/

https://www.tiktok.com/@diaryofa_barrister

https://x.com/diaryofa_Barris

https://www.threads.net/@diaryofa_barrister

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-brooke-ward500/

Support the show

All Episodes

Diary of a Barrister - The Lawyer Diaries

Building Your Legal Career: The Importance of Networking and Mentorship

July 21, 2025 • Chelsea Brooke-Ward • Season 2 • Episode 4

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.