Be A Happy Lawyer®
Take control of your career with practical tools, insider insights, and a supportive network
“The content is amazing — a goldmine of insights, resources, and recommendations. I’ve gained so much from it and continue to benefit from everything the programme offers.”
Be A Happy Lawyer® Alumni
Why Be A Happy Lawyer®?
Law is demanding, and its realities — business models, behaviours, skills gaps, long/intense hours and ‘always‑on’ expectations — can make a hard job even harder.
It isn’t always easy to be open about what you feel, think and need. It’s easier to feel overwhelmed, stuck and alone than to feel a sense of confidence and control.
Designed by lawyers and insider experts, this programme gives you support and practical tools to build a sustainable career aligned to your strengths, needs and ambitions. Here’s the difference that it makes:
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From solid to standout
You’re smart, capable and committed, but can miss out on the recognition you deserve.
Why? Because technical ability and happy clients aren’t the whole story. The rules aren’t always clear and when they change, hard work won’t be enough by itself.
Fortune favours the well prepared. We’ll show you what really drives advancement and how to stand out, so your effort delivers maximum financial and career returns.
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From struggles to support
Law is tough and you can find yourself at your personal and professional limit.
Supervision is thin, politics are thick, or wellbeing feels fragile. Some find the job isn’t what was promised; others make sacrifices but feel undervalued. Doubts emerge: where is it safe?
We’ll give you unconflicted support, practical tools, and a confidential place to think clearly, rebuild confidence, and get back on track.
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From drifting to direction
Ambitions shift and sometimes you can wonder: is this right for me?
Maybe you’re feeling hollow, chasing goals that aren’t yours, or your work or colleagues don’t align with what you stand for. Thinking about change but unsure where to start?
We’ll give you tools and support to take control, explore your options, and make decisions that match who you are and what you want now.
Supporting your career fulfilment
A unique programme for early‑career lawyers. We provide practical tools, clear insights and a supportive cohort so you enjoy work, master the skills that drive career satisfaction and are true to yourself.
This is what you get:
A powerful framework to grow
Trusted cohort | the support of up to 12 peers (max three per firm)
Group coaching | eight 90-minute online sessions to foster change
Convenience | early Friday mornings, an easier time to protect
Unique tools and insights
Independent insight | insider experience meets research rigour
Law-specific toolkit | take more control of career and wellbeing
Strengths clarity | know your strengths and avoid your derailers
Support beyond the sessions
A wider network | build long-term relationships for ongoing input
Personal coaching | option of six hours of expert one-to-one time
Flexible funding | one-off, instalments or firm sponsorship
Download the brochure for full details
(content, dates, pricing, Q&A and more)
Live taster session
Expand your control
Early-career law is demanding, and control is not evenly distributed. It is shaped by hierarchy, information, the quality of supervision and our own approach. Without a clear understanding of how it operates, it is easy to default to reactivity.
This live session introduces a structured framework for analysing how control functions in law firm life and how to widen it in ways that are professionally sound. You will leave with a clearer view of where you have influence in a live situation and the next deliberate step to take.
Session details:
Friday 20 March | 8.15am – 9.15am sharp (UK time)
Free to attend | Live on Zoom
Limited places | Registration required
To get the most from the session, come with one live situation where you would like to make progress
Why alumni love the programme
Hear from lawyers who have completed Be A Happy Lawyer®.
Seeking support
Seeking sustainability
Seeking a toolkit
Who created it?
Meet the people behind the programme. We’ve distilled over 100 years’ experience of the inside realities of law, leadership and the sharp-end of working life into highly practical support for you.
Clifford Chance + Freshfields
Graham Browning
Dr Katie Cunnah
Work + wellbeing scientist
Baker McKenzie, Dentons, Travers + Google DeepMind
Hilary Wilde
Martin Hill
Linklaters + Freshfields
Your questions, answered
Here we answer the questions about eligibility. So you can decide with confidence, we answer many more in the brochure.
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Lawyers in the first five years of practice on the solicitor route (in UK speak). It’s for anyone who is not yet a supervisor — typically associates (up to c.3 years’ UK PQE), trainees, paralegals or apprentices, in private practice or in-house. Any lawyer will benefit, though it’s not designed for self-employed barristers.
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Be A Happy Lawyer® is inclusive, but there are three exceptions:
Machiavellian behaviour — trust and confidentiality are essential, so it’s not for the unethical or indiscreet.
Aggressive behaviour — each cohort is a place of safety, support, and respect, so we can’t have oppressive behaviour.
Disengaged participation — if you don’t engage, you’ll be wasting your time and weakening the group.
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Yes. The programme is fully online and open to lawyers in any jurisdiction. Group sessions run 08:00-09:30 UK time on Fridays, so check your time zone before registering.
The Happier Lawyer Guarantee
Be A Happy Lawyer® is designed to create real change. If you attend all scheduled sessions, actively participate, and complete the programme exercises, you will make meaningful progress towards your goal — that’s our promise. If not, email our support team within 14 days of the final session and we’ll refund your programme fee.
