In this week's episode, Saffia and Adam from the full-service national firm Geldards LLP join us for a discussion. While Saffia describes the firm's approach to neurodiversity in recruitment and employment, Adam talks about his experiences as a dyslexic Associate Partner and Head of Education Law.

In this episode we are joined by Annie Crowe. Annie is a proud autistic ADHD advocate and lawyer and the founding Director of Neurodivergent Millennial, a consulting business, a consulting business that is leading the way for Neurodiversity inclusion in the 21st Century. She is also the founder and Chair of Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA), a neurodivergent-led not-for-profit aimed at primarily supporting autistic Australians with eating disorders through the promotion of neurodiversity-affirming healthcare and disability support. She is an internationally recognised speaker on neurodiversity and disability inclusion. Annie has a background in human rights law and policy development, she uses this combined with her lived experience to advocate for social justice and inclusion of neurodivergent people in the Australian Health System and workforce. She works tirelessly to ensure neurodivergent voices are heard and that their lived experience is valued for the expertise that it is.  

Dr. Felicity Gerry QC joins us on this week's episode. We begin by talking about Felicity's path, her career, her pursuits, and her personal insights. We then talk about her work on autism and criminal justice, as well as the broader issues of complicity, intent, and defences, "trauma-informed courts," and what the criminal justice system can do to be more inclusive to all.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/HHNq_S3Xd7RWzkxk8jONt0xU68Uhttps://felicitygerry.com/ - "Professor Felicity Gerry QC is an international QC at Libertas Chambers, London and Crockett Chambers, Melbourne, largely defending in serious and complex criminal trials and appeals, often with an international element. She was Solicitor’s Journal Legal Personality of the Year 2016 and Australian Barrister of the Year 2020...Admitted to the list of counsel for the International Criminal Court and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague and in England & Wales and in Australia (Victoria and the High Court Roll) and has had ad hoc admission in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. She led the appeal in R v Jogee in the UK Supreme Court which was described by the BBC as a ‘moment of genuine legal history’ and she led the intervention for JUSTICE in the Shamima Begum Appeals. Felicity is one of the few women silks to defend in a terrorism trial and led a team of academics and practitioners who were given leave to file an Amicus Curiae brief in the ICTY on JCEIII liability. She has also advised in relation to death penalty matters in Indonesia and the Philippines, on citizens held in Syrian camps and on complicity in international criminal cases. Felicity is Honorary Professor at Salford University in the School of Health and Society where her research focus is on Autism and criminal law, FGM law and Child Rights. She is also Professor of Legal Practice at Deakin University where she is unit chair for MLL419/MLJ728 Contemporary International Legal Challenges – topics have included Modern Slavery, Terrorism, War Crimes and Climate Change law – and is involved in the clinical programs." "Autism Spectrum Disorder and the criminal Law" (Gerry QC, FR, Allely, CS and Rowland, AG) - https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/61021/1/autism-spectrum-disorder-and-the-criminal-law-felicity-gerry-june-2021.pdfWebsite - https://felicitygerry.com/Libertas Chambers - https://www.libertaschambers.com/our-people/felicity-gerry-qc/We are the city - https://wearethecity.com/inspirational-woman-professor-felicity-gerry-qc-international-queens-counsel-professor-of-legal-practice/University of Salford - https://www.salford.ac.uk/our-staff/felicity-gerry

We meet Sana Malik, a prospective Bird & Bird Trainee Solicitor and LPC student with ADHD and Dyspraxia, in this episode. We start by discussing Sana's experience getting diagnosed and navigating her Paralegal and Banking roles and Legal Internships with undiagnosed neurodivergence, then we talk about rejection during four unsuccessful application rounds and how she got a TC.  Finally, we hear Sana's insights into what more the legal sector can do for neurodiversity, building inner confidence, and what drew her to her current firm, Bird & Bird, an international law firm with a focus on technology (35 minutes onwards).Transcript alongside audio recording - https://otter.ai/u/RenolRw7OYe14j5cVgFNcZcG8poSana's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sana-malik-27632a110/EmployAbility - https://www.employ-ability.org.uk/Bird & Bird "NeuroNetwork" via Early Careers Officer Rachel Boyle - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rachel-boyle-a3974098_diversity-inclusionmatters-neurodiversity-activity-6889255176855797760-ZZtF?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

We speak with Sarah, Staff Disability Advisor and Trans Lead at the University of Oxford, in this week's episode. Sarah is trans, blind, and neurodivergent, and was named Stonewall's LGBT+ role model of the year (East Midlands 2018). She also presents her own podcast, the Simply Equality Podcast. Sarah talks about her personal experiences, the similarities and contrasts between the LGBT+ and disability experience, what businesses, universities, and individuals can do to be more inclusive, and why she decided to advocate, campaign, and train others. Transcript; https://otter.ai/u/3siaTzugGChzexE7tuOSXuiW9bkSimply Equality Podcast; https://www.simplyequality.com/about-meLinkedin; https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stephenson-hunter-she-her-02225a96/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fuk%2Esearch%2Eyahoo%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=uk

In this episode, we talk with Richard, a Clinical Negligence Partner at Irwin Mitchell, about his experience as a dyspraxic and dyslexic lawyer. Richard discusses why he decided to share his story, how his neurodivergence has helped him in his career, dealing with impostor syndrome, and how senior staff can be more inclusive.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/oIEQhbxIfYeSvncJV59gBT51me0

In this episode, we speak with Natasha Hirst, a co-researcher on The University of Cardiff and Law Society's 'Legally disabled?' research, which was one of the first explorations into the " experiences of disabled people and people with health conditions (including mental health) working in the legal profession". Natasha is a Neurodiversity advocate, Vice President of the National Journalist Society, Writer, Trade Union Representative, and Photographer who is deaf and has ADHD and Dyspraxia. Natasha's personal experience, the research and why it came about, its legacy, and what more needs to be done are all discussed in this episode. Links and resources mentioned in today's episode;Transcript: https://natashahirstblog.co.uk/post/682252269115392001/the-neurodiverse-lawyer-podcastLegally Disabled website; http://legallydisabled.comUniversity of Cardiff and Law Society research; http://legallydisabled.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Legally-Disabled-full-report-FINAL.pdfLaw society interview; https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/lawyers-with-disabilities/legally-disabled-two-years-onSome of Natasha's work; https://www.disabilitywales.org/author/natasha-hirstgmail-com/Natasha's blog; https://natashahirstblog.co.uk

Kirsten, Autistic Solicitor Consultant, and Neurodiversity Advocate, joins us in this episode. Kirsten discusses her experience training in the magic circle and working in-house in the financial sector while undiagnosed. She also discusses her late diagnosis, the challenges of being a senior neurodivergent lawyer, what the sector needs to change and how they can do so, as well as some useful advice on navigating neurodiversity in the legal profession.Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w44_iGlSEH2sEnym2H_aTNAsz7bSG9P8TFg7VE5AWps/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, we are joined by Emma Bartlett, Partner at CM Murray, an Employment Law, and Partnerships Law firm.  Emma has been advocating and raising awareness through her work, appearing on podcasts, and writing several articles on neurodiversity in the workplace including in People Management. Emma discusses the legal obligations of employers, the rights of neurodivergent individuals, why they are a good fit for the sector, and general ideas around good practice in the legal profession.   People Management: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/experts/legal/managing-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace#gref  Global Legal Post: https://www.globallegalpost.com/news/the-benefits-of-being-different-why-law-firms-should-embrace-neurodiversity-1732397067  CM Murray: https://www.cm-murray.com/knowledge/navigating-neurodiversity-within-law-firms-embracing-the-benefits-and-understanding-the-challenges/ 

In this episode, we talk to Phoebe, a future In-house trainee solicitor at the BBC. Phoebe, who runs @trainwithtiss on Instagram, discusses her journey, why she chose in-house, mental health, 'lawfluencing', alongside lots of helpful tips and tricks! For the last 20 minutes of the episode, we flip the script and Phoebe interviews us about the project, neurodiversity, and law.