The Non-Billable Podcast

Richard Medd, managing partner of Browne Jacobson, joins the podcast to discuss how the firm has doubled revenue over the past six years - revenue for the most recent financial year came in at a record £149m - and the strategy behind its recent growth.
He explains why Browne Jacobson has invested heavily across its UK and Ireland network, the thinking behind its expanding London presence, and why he believes firms can be both ambitious and culture-driven.
The conversation explores the firm's approach to lateral hiring, its growing private equity, technology and real estate practices, and why Medd sees London as an increasingly important part of the firm's long-term strategy rather than simply a shop window for clients. He also discusses Browne Jacobson's expansion into Ireland and how the firm thinks about international growth.
We also discuss AI and legal technology, including the firm's rollout of Legora, how AI is changing the delivery of legal services, and why judgment and commercial context will remain critical skills for lawyers.
Finally, Medd shares his views on external investment in law firms, why private capital is unlikely to transform the upper end of the UK legal market overnight, and what the next phase of growth looks like for Browne Jacobson.
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
00:40 Richard Medd's journey to managing Browne Jacobson
01:26 The strategy behind Browne Jacobson's rapid growth
06:33 Why London has become central to the firm's ambitions
15:01 Expanding into Ireland and what's next for the firm
18:55 Rolling out AI across Browne Jacobson
21:43 How AI will change legal services and lawyer training
24:59 External investment and private capital in law firms
28:13 Will a top UK law firm take external capital?
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Rebecca Anderson, Microsoft's head of legal for EMEA, joins the podcast to discuss how the in-house function at one of the world's biggest tech companies is adapting to the AI era.
She explains why Microsoft has overhauled its legal operating model, how AI is changing the role of lawyers, and why the function is increasingly becoming a strategic partner to the business rather than simply a legal adviser.
The conversation explores how Microsoft is deploying AI across its own legal department, from AI-powered legal triage to contract drafting and decision-making tools. Anderson also shares how the company thinks about legal tech, why the operating model matters as much as the tools themselves, and how Microsoft's lawyers are using AI to move away from repetitive work towards higher-value strategic advice.
We also discuss what Microsoft now expects from its external law firms in the age of AI, why AI fluency has become a baseline requirement, and how firms can differentiate themselves beyond simply adopting new technology.
Finally, Anderson shares her thoughts on the future of the profession, the new legal roles emerging alongside AI, and the skills lawyers will need to thrive over the next decade.
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
00:45 From private practice to leading Microsoft's EMEA legal team
03:55 Rebuilding Microsoft's legal operating model for the AI era
09:40 How Microsoft is using AI inside its own legal department
18:00 Microsoft's legal tech strategy and the future of contract review
19:40 What Microsoft now expects from its external law firms
29:30 The changing role of the in-house lawyer
35:25 What Microsoft looks for when hiring lawyers
36:30 The future of legal work in the age of AI
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Brian Fahrney, chair of Sidley Austin's executive committee, joins the podcast to discuss the firm's transformation into one of the fastest-growing US law firms in London. He explains why Sidley spent years investing in private equity, how the strategy reshaped its London office, and why the firm remains bullish on the London market.
The conversation explores the growing importance of the "NYLON corridor", why US clients increasingly expect seamless transatlantic legal advice, and how Sidley thinks about growth, lateral hiring and building market-leading practices on both sides of the Atlantic.
We also discuss AI, law firm culture and leadership, as well as why Fahrney believes the legal industry is consolidating into a smaller group of global firms with the scale to invest in talent, technology and client service. Finally, Fahrney shares his outlook for the next decade of Big Law and explains what he believes will separate the industry's winners from the rest.
The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
01:20 Sidley's growth story and Brian's path to executive committee chair
04:46 Running a global law firm
07:00 Why talent is critical to Sidley’s strategy
11:56 How Sidley’s London office became a private capital platform
15:46 The deliberate push into private equity
17:49 Why the NYLON corridor matters
24:16 Big Law consolidation and the firms pulling away
29:08 Partnership structures, talent development and future leaders
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Segun Osuntokun, senior partner at BCLP, joins the podcast to discuss leadership, firm strategy and what it takes to run a global law firm while continuing to practise as a partner.
Having held senior leadership roles at the firm for more than seven years, he reflects on BCLP's recent return to growth and the long-term strategy behind it.
The conversation explores the lessons learned from the merger between Berwin Leighton Paisner and Bryan Cave, why Osuntokun believes successful integrations must start with clients rather than firm economics, and his views on the current wave of transatlantic law firm combinations reshaping the market.
We also discuss mental health, sustainable leadership and the demands of modern legal practice. Osuntokun shares his perspective on resilience, the importance of wellbeing in a people business, and the comments that sparked debate across the profession about sending non-urgent emails at weekends.
The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
01:36 From Nigeria to City law and becoming BCLP senior partner
04:26 BCLP's return to growth and the strategy behind it
07:35 How BCLP positions itself in the transatlantic legal market
09:12 Lessons from the Bryan Cave and BLP merger
13:34 US versus UK law firm culture: more similar than different?
15:47 Life as senior partner and balancing leadership with client work
18:19 Weekend emails, mental health and sustainable leadership
24:01 The future of Big Law, scale and BCLP's growth plans
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk

Private equity investment in law firms has become one of the most talked-about trends in the legal industry. But how much is actually happening? Why are investors interested in legal services, and what does outside capital mean for the traditional partnership model?
In this special edition of the podcast, Oliver is joined by Patrick Savage (Burford Capital), Peter Jackson (former managing partner of Hill Dickinson), Adil Taha (legal industry consultant), and Oscar Dean (Grant Thornton) for a candid discussion about the future of law firm ownership.
The panel explores why legal has become attractive to investors, whether private equity activity has slowed in recent months, what makes a law firm investable, and how external capital can be used to fund growth, technology and talent. They also discuss consolidation, succession planning, the differences between legal and other professional services sectors, and why some investors are becoming more selective about the firms they back.
Finally, the conversation turns to the biggest unanswered question in the market: exits. The panel debates whether private equity-backed law firms can deliver the returns investors need, who the eventual buyers might be, and whether outside capital will become a normal feature of the UK legal market over the next decade.
The Non-Billable Podcast is sponsored by Legora. To find out more about Legora, visit: https://legora.com/
Today’s episode is also supported by Definely. To find out more about Definely, visit: https://www.definely.com/nonbillable
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
01:30 Introductions & setting the scene
04:40 Why investors are bullish on legal services
12:55 Why legal is different from accounting and other professional services
22:30 Has the private equity boom in law firms stalled?
27:30 Why law firms seek outside capital, and what changes afterwards
42:40 Talent, AI and the future law firm business model
53:50 The exit problem: IPOs, secondary sales and investor returns
1:03:50 Advice for law firm leaders and predictions for the future
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals across private practice, in-house and legal tech.
Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk