The Social Media Connection: Lessons From an Award Winning Law Firm, with Kara Shadbolt, Senior PR and Communications Manager at Shoosmiths

Welcome to Beyond the Suit, the podcast that aims to push the current boundaries and conventional thoughts of those working in the legal industry to look beyond the suit. 

Brought to you by Fintelligent, with your host Zac Green. In each episode, we dive deep into the legal world by speaking with professionals from all levels and backgrounds, opening new doors for insightful conversations.

Joining us for our very first episode is Kara Shadbolt, Senior PR and Communications Manager at the award-winning law firm, Shoosmiths. Shoosmiths was recently crowned Law Firm of the Year 2022—an extraordinary achievement which we delve into during this episode, including how Kara’s role played a significant factor in receiving that prestigious award and what life has been like at the firm since the ceremony.

Alongside Kara is the Director of Fintelligent, James Fowler. Fintelligent is an award-winning recruitment agency which specialises in the recruitment of legal, senior finance and financial services roles. In this episode, James, Zac and Kara explore the legal careers from a PR perspective - from the ever-increasing importance of social media, to how Shoosmiths truly live the value of looking beyond the suit.

 

Timestamped Guide 

00.55- Introduction to Kara

1.53- Can you tell us about your current role and what it entails?

2.42- How did your role contribute to the company's award and what has it been like at the firm after the award ceremony?

4.55- What responsibility does being the voice of the firm constitute?

6.23- How did studying abroad in the Middle East shape your view of the international media landscape, and what lessons have you applied to your current job?

7.58- What’s one thing about Shoosmiths on a European spectrum that people may not know about the firm? 

9.01- What influence does the firm's culture have on attracting top talent?

11.45- What would be your step-by-step guide for junior lawyers or individuals in training contracts?

13.38- Do you believe there should be an earlier introduction to law at a much earlier age?

15.20- Is it important for lawyers to utilise platforms beyond LinkedIn, such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, for self-promotion?

16.09- How much of a lawyer's personality should be showcased when marketing themselves?

17.18- Is short-form content an effective way to present yourself as a lawyer?

19.16 - How has social media altered how the outside world views firms?

21.35- What recommendations do you have for senior lawyers to build their portfolio beyond their work?

24.34- What aspects of work from senior partners who rose to prominence before the 2000s could junior lawyers incorporate into their own practices today?

25.33- What advice would you give to lawyers seeking to engage with the media and enhance their public profile?

27.12 - Legal Practice in the Digital Age

29.04- What's the biggest PR disaster you have ever witnessed? 

32.31- Click to agree 

46.54- Where can we find more information about you and the firm?

 

If you’d like to get your hands on your very own copy of the book Kara mentions in this episode, “Legal Practice in the Digital Age” click here | https://bit.ly/3oCWjFP  

 

Connect with your hosts, Zac Green and James Fowler, on LinkedIn.

Find our guest, Kara Shadbolt on LinkedIn.

 

Thanks for listening to Beyond The Suit brought to you by Fintelligent 

This is a Loaded Hype production.