The Crafty Show - Crafty Counsel's in-house legal podcast

<p>Welcome to the Crafty Show, a legal podcast. Produced by Crafty Counsel, a digital media company and community with the aim to spread joy, connection and insight to in-house lawyers. Join Crafty Counsel’s founder Ben White as he speaks to lawyers who have left private practice, often to join in-house legal teams about their career journeys.</p>

How does an in-house lawyer help shape global entertainment projects?

In this episode of the Inside In-House Legal Podcast, Sophie McKibbin, Head of Business and Legal Affairs at Pophouse Entertainment, takes us behind the scenes of one of Europe’s most creative companies. From negotiating IP deals to advising on artist partnerships and live productions, Sophie touches on her work at Pophouse, the founding investor and production partner for ABBA Voyage, offering a glimpse into the legal side of supporting creative ventures.

09-25
19:49

Balancing risk, regulation, and reputation: Rob Saunders’ in-house insights

Rob Saunders’ career has taken him from the broadcast rights of the Olympic Games to the highly regulated world of online gambling. In this episode of the Inside In-House Legal Podcast, Rob speaks with host Toby Hornet about the pivotal lessons he’s learned along the way - from building trust with the business to leading legal teams through complexity. Rob shares why regulation should be embraced as both the right thing to do and a sustainable business strategy - and why it’s better to have a...

09-04
31:54

Inside the Magic of Crafty Fest: A Conversation with Griffen Hoyle

In this special episode of Inside In-house Legal, Toby Hornett (Head of Community) turns the mic towards a familiar face—Griffen Hoyle, Crafty Counsel’s Head of Content and the creative mind behind Crafty Fest. Together, they unpack what really goes into designing standout agendas, why themes like “hats” and “compasses” matter, and how a bit of chaos can lead to magic. Expect honest reflections, practical insight, and a dash of joy—from wild card pitches to empty chair surprises, and everythi...

08-21
27:56

Menopause in the Workplace: Lucy Allen’s Story

When Lucy Allen, Chief Growth Officer at BARBRI, experienced a sudden and overwhelming perimenopause symptom in the middle of a high-stakes meeting, it changed everything. That moment sparked a movement: Menopause Matters. In this episode, Lucy shares: Her personal story and why she went publicHow workplaces can better support employees during menopausePractical ideas to turn awareness into actionThis conversation is raw, real, and a reminder that open dialogue changes culture.

08-12
44:55

Part Two: Zelda Perkins on NDA reform

Zelda Perkins responds to new UK legislation that could make silencing NDAs unenforceable. She reflects on power, ethics, and what this moment means for legal and HR teams. 🎧 Missed Part One? Catch up now.

07-23
15:49

Zelda Perkins on NDAs and power: Breaking the silence

Before the headlines, there were individuals taking extraordinary risks to challenge abuse. In this episode, Zelda Perkins (Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence) shares her story of signing (and later breaking) the NDA that protected Harvey Weinstein. Zelda describes the reality of “legal waterboarding,” the weight of being silenced, and why the legal profession must confront the human cost of confidentiality agreements. She challenges lawyers to question how NDAs are used, look beyond process to ...

07-17
39:35

Mental health in the legal profession: A conversation that matters

This week we are bringing you a special episode of our podcast, Inside In-House Legal. Once a quarter, we host Crafty Innovates - a call open to anyone in the legal ecosystem interested in innovation (in it’s many varieties!). Back in September, we dived into the critical topic of mental health in the legal profession with our Crafty Fest 2024 Charity Partner, LawCare. This discussion, between Toby Hornett, Elizabeth Rimmer (Chief Executive, LawCare) and David McCahon, explores mental health ...

02-04
49:36

Michael Bernstein on balancing business needs and risk management

In the latest episode of the Insight In-House Legal podcast, Ben White chats with Michael Bernstein, Senior Legal Counsel at Trustpilot. Michael shares how his entrepreneurial upbringing and creative background shaped his approach to in-house legal roles, emphasising problem-solving, adaptability, and building strong professional relationships. He also discusses the transformative role of AI in legal and offers advice for young lawyers: “Your job as an in-house lawyer is to be the brakes on t...

01-21
26:06

Grainne O'Driscoll on non-linear career paths

In the latest episode of the Inside In-House Legal podcast, Ben sits down for a chat with Grainne O'Driscoll, Product and Marketing Counsel at Credit Karma. Grainne's journey—from navigating the 2008 global financial crisis to unexpected detours like scuba diving—shows that success isn’t always linear. She shared powerful reflections on resilience, flexibility, and the importance of strong support systems and relationships in the workplace. Her story is an inspiring reminder of the value of p...

01-07
36:58

Navigating Legal Across Industries: Insights from Alex Williams

In the latest episode of the Inside In-House Legal podcast, Ben is joined by Alex Williams (Legal Director & Company Secretary). Alex shares insights from his in-house legal career spanning Nike, Uber, and now leading the legal team at Zelus. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working across diverse industries, the importance of building strong relationships, and the unique experience of establishing a legal function from scratch. Alex also highlights the value of his dual role as...

12-17
33:40

Leadership and impact with Daniel Whitehead

Join Ben White as he interviews Daniel Whitehead, Global Head of Issuer Services Legal at Citi, in this engaging episode. Discover Daniel's remarkable career journey and his volunteer work with Medical Lifelines Ukraine. Gain insights into navigating change, proactive problem-solving, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Learn about the importance of achieving balance in high-pressure roles and how Daniel's dedication to both his professional responsibilities and humanitarian efforts p...

12-03
44:54

Adam Hirschovits: The challenges of being a sole in-house lawyer

Taking a look inside the career of an in-house lawyer with Adam Hirschovits! Tune in to the latest episode of the Insight In-house Legal podcast where Ben White sits down to chat with with Adam Hirschovits, Senior Commercial and Legal Director at The Roald Dahl Story Company. Adam and Ben dive into exploring Adam’s career journey so far. Discussing the opportunities and challenges of being a sole in-house lawyer, navigating the recent acquisition by Netflix, and the intricacies of managing in...

11-22
38:04

Words of wisdom for in-house lawyers from in-house lawyers

In this special bonus episode of The Crafty Show, we’ve pulled together some of the words of wisdom our various in-house lawyer interviewees shared during our conversations. We asked them whether there was any advice they had been given that they still use to this day, and we received a range of fascinating (and, of course, helpful!) insights. So, whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned in-house counsel, this episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice to help yo...

07-23
09:58

Exploring Neurodiversity with James Smither, Connagh McCormick & Jessie Smith

James Smither, co-founder of the Neurodiversity Network, sits down with in-house lawyer Connagh McCormick, and private practice lawyer Jessie Smith to discuss the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity in the legal field. During their conversation, they share personal experiences and perspectives, highlighting the need for organisations to support neurodiverse individuals. They also emphasise the various ways lawyers can take small steps to break the stigma often associated...

07-03
38:07

Lee Castleton: The Post Office Bankrupted Me

Lee Castleton purchased a Post Office in Bridlington, Yorkshire, in 2003. When the Post Office management discovered a loss of £25,000 in the computer system, they blamed Lee, who argued that the Horizon IT system was at fault. The Post Office sued him, won the case, and pursued legal costs amounting to £321,000, which led to Lee's bankruptcy. To this day, he is still awaiting compensation. Lee graciously shared his story at Crafty Fest 2024 in a fireside chat with Ben White, founder of Craft...

06-24
42:31

Harriet Dedman: From Corporate Law to Emmy-Nominated Journalism

In this episode of The Crafty Show, Lucie Cruz, Content Producer at Crafty Counsel, is joined by Harriet Dedman, Counsel at Tiny, journalist, photographer, and filmmaker. Beginning her career at Hogan Lovells in 2008, Harriet spent a decade exploring various legal roles. In 2014, she transitioned into freelance journalism and filmmaking while continuing her corporate law work. In 2015, she left corporate law to cover the European refugee crisis in Greece as a freelancer. Her talent eventually...

05-31
34:02

Karl Wilson: Navigating Dual Careers in Law and Acting

In this episode of The Crafty Show, Ben White, founder of Crafty Counsel, sits down with Karl Wilson, a seasoned lawyer turned legal consultant with over two decades of experience and, since 2015, also a professional actor. During the course of their conversation, Karl speaks candidly about the significant upsides as well as the hurdles he's encountered while juggling both legal consultancy and acting. He offers valuable insights and guidance for fellow in-house lawyers looking to pursue inte...

04-22
36:00

Richard Barnett: Behind the Scenes at The National Gallery

In this episode, Lucie Cruz, Content Producer at Crafty Counsel, is joined by Richard Barnett, General Counsel at The National Gallery. Responsible for advising The Gallery on all regulatory and commercial matters, Richard has played a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition of Thomas Lawrence’s “Red Boy” through a private treaty sale, as well as procuring works by Veronese, Pissarro, Poussin, and others. In this episode, Richard opens up about the considerations and negotiations involv...

04-02
33:46

Mel Nebhrajani CB: Leading the COVID-19 Response and Inquiry

In this episode of The Crafty Show, Toby Hornett, Head of Community at Crafty Counsel, sits down with Mel Nebhrajani CB, Director General for Litigation with Justice and Security at GLD. Mel, who previously served as Legal Director at the Department for Health and Social Care, led the department's legal response to the pandemic while also navigating EU Exit challenges. She is now Director General for Litigation with Justice and Security at GLD In this episode, Mel shares insights from her ...

03-19
23:50

Natalie Salunke & Shrina Shah: Life As A Trustee

In this episode of The Crafty Show, Ben White, founder of Crafty Counsel, speaks with Natalie Salunke, an experienced GC from the Tech and other sectors who recently started her practice as a Fractional General Counsel, and Shrina Shah, formerly the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at Puregym. In addition to their roles as in-house counsel, Natalie and Shrina have both taken on the additional responsibility of serving as Trustees. Shrina ventured into her first Trustee rol...

02-27
37:16

Recommend Channels