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Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners

Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners

Written by: Stephen Rodney
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The legal sector thrives on talent, but how do you ensure partner success, both generally and in relation to how new hires integrate and succeed? Hosted by Stephen Rodney, founder of IntoGreat Coaching, which provides tailor made integration programmes for laterals and, previously a veteran of partner legal recruitment. Beyond Billables is the essential podcast for law firm leaders and in house GCs. Stephen draws on both his recent coaching experience and his previous recruitment life as a co-founder of a leading recruitment boutique (including being responsible for one of the UK's largest-ever team moves), to look at the essential elements necessary to produce both successful partners and also other senior lawyers and to look at the critical challenge of effective senior lawyer integration. Join Stephen as he speaks with successful partners, other industry experts and legal innovators. Follow Beyond Billables to ensure you absorb the lessons told by the successful partners interviewed!Copyright 2026 Stephen Rodney Art Economics Education
Episodes
  • Lawyers Never Become Successful Partners in the Age of AI without Human Judgement with Sunny Mann

    Lawyers Never Become Successful Partners in the Age of AI without Human Judgement with Sunny Mann
    Jun 30 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Sunny Mann, Global Chair of Baker McKenzie and one of the world's leading international trade lawyers. With more than 26 years at the firm, Sunny shares his journey from accidental lawyer to global leader, discussing the skills that drive success in law, the importance of human relationships, and how firms can prepare for a rapidly changing legal landscape. Join us as we explore leadership, client relationships, lateral hiring, AI, resilience, and the future of global law firms.Sunny Mann is the Global Chair of Baker McKenzie, one of the world's largest law firms with more than 13,000 employees across 70 offices. A specialist in international trade law, Sunny built one of Europe's leading trade practices and has advised major global companies on geopolitical challenges, sanctions, and international trade issues. He is also a passionate advocate for mentoring, inclusion, leadership development, and building strong global teams.Expect to Learn:How Sunny Mann built a successful career in international trade law and rose to become Global Chair of Baker McKenzie.Why human relationships remain at the heart of successful client service, even in the age of AI.The key qualities that make a successful law firm partner and effective leader.How Baker McKenzie approaches lateral hiring, integration, and global collaboration.Why curiosity, resilience, and finding enjoyment in your work are essential for long-term success.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[01:03] – Welcome & Introduction of Sunny Mann [05:03] – The importance of curiosity and staying ahead of geopolitics [10:33] – AI will drive efficiency, but human judgment and humanity remain critical[17:33] – The billable hour will materially shift to alternative pricing models[23:33] – Election process with 600+ voting partners; role is to stay connected to clients and people[29:33] – Baker McKenzie’s global culture (“cultural friendship”) attracts outward‑looking lawyers[35:29] – Best moment: mobilising global trade practice for Russia‑Ukraine crisis [38:32] – Proud of supporting Kiev office; first town hall as chair was with Kiev team[43:03] – “Find the fun in your role” – advice to junior lawyers and to himself as chair[49:34] – Three non‑negotiable behaviours: communication, care, fun[53:31] – Golden rule: keep the human at the heart of everything we do[54:44] – Host’s golden rule: treat clients as people, not as clients[55:45] – Closing thanks and episode wrap‑upConnect with Sunny Mann:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-mann-918ba5116/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baker-&-mckenzie/Company’s Website: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/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=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    56 mins
  • What Makes a Successful Law Firm Partner for Lawyers to Become Trusted Advisers with Jane Caskey

    What Makes a Successful Law Firm Partner for Lawyers to Become Trusted Advisers with Jane Caskey
    Jun 16 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Jane Caskey, Global Head of Risk Advisory at Linklaters. Jane shares her journey from intellectual property litigation in Canada to leading a global risk advisory practice at one of the world's leading law firms. The conversation explores how client expectations are changing, why lawyers need to think beyond legal advice alone, and what it takes to become a trusted adviser in today's increasingly complex business environment.Jane Caskey leads the risk advisory practice at Linklaters. Originally from Canada, she began her career as an intellectual property lawyer before taking on global leadership roles, including Global Head of Intellectual Property and Chief Client Officer at her previous firm. Jane has helped shape innovative approaches to client service by combining legal, compliance, risk, and operational expertise to deliver integrated solutions for global clients.Expect to Learn:How Jane transitioned from IP litigation to leading a global risk advisory practice.Why clients increasingly expect lawyers to provide business-focused advice, not just legal opinions.The importance of collaboration, client relationships, and cross-selling in building a successful legal practice.Key lessons for lateral partners on integration, culture, and long-term success.How AI is changing the legal profession and why mentoring remains critical for future lawyers.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Teaser[00:01:16] – Welcome to Beyond Billables & Introduction of Jane Caskey [00:05:46] – Clients want proactive horizon scanning and strategic advice[00:09:03] – How Linklaters approached her – aligned vision[00:14:46] – Linklaters advanced on AI – Applied Intelligence team[00:19:16] – Transparency and trust among partners[00:26:14] – Building relationships through in‑person meetings[00:30:22] – Echoes colleague’s view – holistic client perspective[00:36:46] – Formal integration plan at Linklaters – first two weeks intense[00:42:46] – Less good moments: territorial partners, insecurity[00:49:16] – Importance of client relationships over metrics[00:55:16] – Future of partnership: AI changes leverage, raises mentoring concerns[01:00:09] – Golden rule: no ego – put clients and firm first[01:00:34] – Closing thanks and episode wrap‑upConnect with Jane Caskey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-caskey-30568840/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linklaters/Company’s Website: https://www.linklaters.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=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • How Lawyers Struggle to Make Partner Without Skills, Leadership & Relentless Drive – Julian Taylor

    How Lawyers Struggle to Make Partner Without Skills, Leadership & Relentless Drive – Julian Taylor
    Jun 9 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney speaks with Julian Taylor, Senior Partner at Simmons & Simmons. Julian shares his unusual path into law, from studying history and working as a barrister to becoming a senior leader at one of the world’s leading international law firms. The conversation explores leadership, law firm culture, flexible working, partner success, and how firms can create environments where people prosper. Julian also reflects on mentoring, client relationships, and the future of the legal profession in a rapidly changing world. Julian Taylor is the Senior Partner at Simmons & Simmons, an international law firm with offices across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the US. Originally called to the Bar, Julian later moved into private practice and built his career as an employment lawyer. Alongside his client work, he has held several leadership roles within the firm, including International Practice Head for Employment, before becoming Senior Partner. Julian is known for his people-focused leadership style, his advocacy for flexible working, and his strong focus on collaboration and culture within professional services firms.Expect to Learn:How Julian unexpectedly moved from the Bar into private practice and built a successful legal career.Why culture, collaboration, and leadership matter so much in law firms.The importance of flexible working and how it helped Julian balance family life with career progression.What separates highly successful law firm partners from others in the profession.How AI and changing client expectations could reshape the future of the billable hour model.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[01:10] – Welcome to Beyond Billables & Introduction of Julian Taylor[04:22] – Why employment law: people, the crazy things people do[09:40] – Became international practice head for employment in 2016[15:01] – What makes a successful partner: understanding clients, solution-focused, drive[21:14] – Intervening when partners show bad behaviour[26:55] – Lateral success: fit with values, skills, sometimes recruitment mistakes[30:40] – Gender balance: from 10% to 33% female partners, female managing partner[37:40] – Best moment: phone hacking case[42:40] – Advice to younger self: worry better, don’t catastrophize[48:40] – Future factors: AI will kill the billable hour, move to output‑based billing[53:49] – Golden rule: focus[54:18] – Closing thanks and episode wrap‑upConnect with Julian Taylor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian--taylor/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simmons-&-simmons/Company’s Website: https://www.simmons-simmons.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=6ff13118ea1a44b4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l
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    55 mins
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