Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners

In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Helen Drayton, CEO of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, about leading a growing law firm, developing successful partners, and integrating lateral hires. Helen explains why engagement, authenticity and accountability matter in a partnership, how firms can equip partners for business development, and how AI and private equity are reshaping the legal sector. Helen traces her route from studying law at A-level and qualifying as a corporate lawyer to becoming a partner, divisional head and CEO. Her experience of law firm mergers, cross-office collaboration and leadership succession informs her practical perspective on building a culture where partners contribute beyond financial performance and use technology without losing the human element of client service. Expect to Learn: How open conversations about a firm's culture, platform, and expectations can improve the prospects of a lateral hire succeeding. Why a partner's engagement and contribution to the wider firm matter alongside financial performance. The value of supporting partners with business development training that changes behaviours rather than personalities. How AI can improve efficiency while lawyers retain responsibility for trusted, commercially rounded advice. Why experienced judgement and the ability to identify what is missing remain essential alongside AI capability. The importance of focusing leadership energy on the factors a firm can influence, particularly its people and culture. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: 00:00 – Teaser 01:17 – Helen Drayton joins Beyond Billables 01:23 – Finding a route into law and securing a training contract 06:30 – Qualifying into corporate law and becoming a partner 08:30 – Growth through mergers and cross-office collaboration 14:19 – Planning the transition to the CEO role 20:45 – The behaviours of a successful law firm partner 23:16 – Using AI as a tool while keeping people at the centre 37:00 – Making lateral hires work through transparency and integration Connect with Helen Drayton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helendrayton/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penningtons-solicitors-llp/ Company’s Website: https://www.penningtonslaw.com/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l

In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Ian Rosenblatt OBE, Founder and Senior Partner of Rosenblatt Law, about what it takes to build, lead and keep control of a law firm. The episode covers communication skills, resilience with demanding clients, Ian’s route from articles to partnership, the realities of floating a legal business, and what partners should consider before pursuing external investment. Ian’s perspective comes from a career that began with articles at Collyer Bristow, developed through litigation work at Sheridans, and expanded through a major Malaysian and Hong Kong extradition matter that shaped his commercial judgement. After founding Rosenblatt in 1989 and later floating the firm in 2018, he explains the practical lessons of entrepreneurship, ownership, risk and succession in legal practice. Expect to Learn: How communication skills underpin legal success, from client billing to managing difficult relationships. Why resilience matters when clients expect intense work, lower costs and control over the lawyer relationship. How opportunity and readiness can shape a legal career, as shown by the Saturday call that led to Ian’s international extradition work. The risks of handing control of a law firm to non-lawyer leadership without a deep understanding of legal practice economics. Why entrepreneurial lawyers may be better served by retaining control than trying to corporatise or float their firm. The conditions under which taking outside investment or private equity money may work, and why staying afterwards can be difficult. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser [01:04] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Ian Rosenblatt OBE [06:33] – Why Communication Skills Matter More Than Academic Pedigree [11:33] – The Malaysian Banker Case: A 70-Day Extradition Hearing [16:33] – Resilience and Handling Unbelievably Difficult People [20:33] – The IPO: Floating Rosenblatt and the £40 Million Raised [25:33] – The Memery Crystal. Acquisition: Missteps and Cultural Clash [33:03] – The Walkout: 50 Staff Leave, and the New Firm is Born [37:03] – Best Moments: Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and Security Escorts [41:03] – The Final Word: Private Equity, Taking the Cheque, and Hanging Around [43:03] – Closing Remarks Connect with Ian Rosenblatt OBE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-rosenblatt-obe-b1ab3711/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rosenblatt-law/ Company’s Website: https://www.rosenblatt.law/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l

In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Adrian Bell, Managing Partner of CMS UK, about leading a major law firm through growth, governance reform and AI adoption. They examine faster decision-making, the balance between commercial discipline and partner autonomy, and how firms can improve lateral hiring and integration. Adrian joined CMS as a trainee after studying law and business at Warwick, and has built his career at the firm while developing a strong interest in its commercial side. Drawing on his work in construction disputes and leadership of CMS’s Middle East and Asia business, he explains how cross-functional working, international growth and long-term relationship building shape his approach to the managing partner role. Expect to Learn: How streamlined governance can help law firms make lateral hiring decisions more quickly. Why partner autonomy must be balanced with financial discipline when running a professional partnership. The importance of building a lateral hire’s internal network quickly to support successful integration. How a detailed integration process and committed leadership can improve the success of lateral hires. Why law firms need to use AI for internal operational efficiency as well as client service delivery. The value of investing in relationships before there is an immediate commercial opportunity. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser [00:46] – Stephen Rodney introduces Beyond Billables and Adrian Bell, CMS’s newly elected managing partner. [06:30] – Adrian reflects on his first months as managing partner and CMS’s ambitions for growth. [11:55] – How agility, governance and AI are changing law firm leadership. [25:00] – Adrian explains why fast decisions and strong integration matter for lateral hires. [40:40] – Adrian sets out his ambitions for CMS, including growth, culture and further consolidation. [48:45] – The three non-negotiable behaviours Adrian expects: honesty, ambition and commercial awareness. [51:25] – Adrian shares his golden rule for successful partners: invest in relationships for the long term. Connect with Adrian Bell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianjamesbell/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cms-cameron-mckenna/ Company’s Website: https://cms.law/en/gbr/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l

In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Roger Bull, Managing Partner of Burges Salmon LLP, about what successful law firm leadership and partnership look like in practice. They discuss client focus, listening-led strategy, AI, sector knowledge, lateral integration and the behaviours that help partners build stronger relationships and make better commercial decisions. Roger explains how he moved from planning to study medicine to reading law at Oxford, training at Burges Salmon and later leading its employment team before becoming managing partner in 2018. His experience as a trainee, employment partner, department head and firm leader informs his view that leadership depends on listening, collaboration, accountability and a deep understanding of clients’ businesses. Expect to Learn: How listening sessions, partner working groups and local team conversations can turn a firm-wide strategy into shared accountability. Why successful partners need to understand a client’s business, sector, challenges and opportunities before giving legal advice. The ways AI can strengthen research, document review and data analysis without replacing client relationships or judgement. How lateral integration improves when firms plan introductions, business services support, buddy systems and sponsor accountability before a recruit arrives. Why curiosity, fairness, consistency and client focus are central behaviours for law firm leaders and their teams. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser [00:54] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Roger Bull [06:23] – Building Leadership Skills: From Head of Department to Managing Partner [11:23] – Rolling Out the Strategy: Town Halls, Q&A, and Team-Level Implementation [17:23] – Making Your Clients Look Good: Clear Steers and Actionable Advice [23:10] – Leadership Attributes: Listening, Boldness, Empathy, and Human Connection [28:02] – The Market Opportunity: US Mergers and Pressure on Fee Rates [34:53] – Accountability: Checking In with Sponsoring Partners [37:53] – Best and Worst Moments: Tribunal Advocacy and Awards Ceremonies [45:17] – The Future: AI Optimism and the Private Equity Question [48:59] – One Golden Rule: Client Focus and Looking After People [49:38] – Closing Remarks Connect with Roger Bull: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-bull/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burges-salmon-llp/ Company’s Website: https://www.burges-salmon.com/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l

In this episode of Beyond Billables, Stephen Rodney sits down with Peter Jackson, former Managing Partner and CEO of Hill Dickinson, to unpack nearly three decades of leadership inside one of the UK's leading commercial law firms. Peter shares the lessons that transformed him from lawyer to CEO, why great leaders never micromanage, how to build high-performing teams, the importance of culture when hiring lateral partners, succession planning, AI's impact on the legal profession, and the remarkable story behind Hill Dickinson becoming the naming rights partner of Everton's new stadium. Whether you're a managing partner, lawyer, business leader, or anyone interested in leadership, management, culture, and professional services, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:54 | Trailer on Leadership, AI, and Law Firm Growth 00:54 - 01:59 | Podcast Introduction and Peter Jackson’s Career Overview 01:59 - 09:10 | Early Legal Career and Rise to Managing Partner 09:10 - 14:31 | CEO Transition and Strategic Leadership Structure 14:31 - 18:54 | Selling the Insurance Business and Managing Change 18:54 - 23:36 | Succession Planning, Retirement, and CM Murray Role 23:36 - 31:26 | Partner Skills, Sector Knowledge, and AI’s Legal Impact 31:26 - 43:53 | Leadership Lessons, People Decisions, and Management Training 43:53 - 52:24 | Lateral Hiring, Culture Fit, and Due Diligence 52:24 - 01:05:34 | Everton Stadium Sponsorship and Business ROI 01:05:34 - 01:12:16 | Career Highlights, Hillsborough, and Leadership Challenges 01:12:16 - 01:22:43 | Private Equity, Law Firm Ownership, and Future Models 01:22:43 - 01:23:16 | Closing Thanks and Final Wrap-Up Connect with Peter Jackson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-jackson-a1b3bb5/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cm-murray-llp/ Company’s Website: https://cm-murray.com/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations with leading law firm partners, business leaders, and industry experts sharing the lessons behind exceptional careers and leadership.