Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE - Nicola Williams

Nicola Williams

05/13/23 • 55 min

Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nicola Williams.

Nicola is the author of the hit novels Without Prejudice and Until Proven Innocent. She’s also a part-time Crown Court Judge and one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK.

Nicola shares with Sally her journey to the bar, and how the skills she learnt there took her to the Cayman Islands.

Nicola shares her insights into the life of a legal professional, as she tried to balance her career as a part-time Crown Court Judge and as an author.

Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nicola Williams.

Nicola is the author of the hit novels Without Prejudice and Until Proven Innocent. She’s also a part-time Crown Court Judge and one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK.

Nicola shares with Sally her journey to the bar, and how the skills she learnt there took her to the Cayman Islands.

Nicola shares her insights into the life of a legal professional, as she tried to balance her career as a part-time Crown Court Judge and as an author.

Previous Episode

Nik White

Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nik White.

Nik has been the Managing Partner of Brabners since 2018. With a background in commercial law, he has devoted his working career to the firm, having joined as a trainee solicitor in 1995.

Brabners is a leading independent law firm which helps private, public and third-sector organisations, as well as private individuals. They recently worked on the now infamous “Wagatha Christie” case for their client Colleen Rooney. Sally discovers what it was like to work on such a high profile case, with so much media attention.

Brabners have a focus on sustainability, not just in the environment but in the workplace too. Sally hears about their work to encourage employees back to the office post-pandemic and also about the “Brabners Bog”, a peat bog they’ve invested in to help tackle carbon emissions.

Nik describes himself as an “accidental lawyer”. He and Sally discuss his journey to become Managing Partner; the skills and values he has carried with him and why he’s never moved on to another firm.

This episode is supported by Brabners. Find out more about their work here.

Next Episode

Michael Mansfield KC

Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Michael Mansfield KC

Michael was called to the Bar in 1967. In 1984, he established Tooks Chambers and became Queen's Counsel in 1989. He has represented defendants in criminal trials, appeals and inquiries in some of the most controversial legal cases the country has seen, particularly where issues of Civil Liberty have arisen.

Sally and Michael discuss some of the high-profile cases Michael has worked on, including Stephen Lawrence and the Grenfell Inquiry.

He also shares his experience of chairing inquiries for mistreated groups and providing equal opportunities for black practitioners.

Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni