Thinking Legal Pod by Boyes Turner

Selling your business can feel like one of the most personal and significant transactions you will ever make. Yet the advisors guiding you through it may have managed hundreds of similar deals. That contrast creates an interesting tension and in this episode, we explore how to make the exit process feel less mysterious and more manageable, with practical guidance you can use whether you are 24 months away from a sale or already considering offers.Chris Dobson, Corporate Partner at Boyes Turner, is joined by James Buckingham, Partner in Corporate Finance at BDO. They explore the role of a corporate finance advisor throughout an M&A sale process, from preparing the business and positioning it for market, through to managing buyer engagement and maximising the outcome.We explore what good preparation actually looks like before a business goes to market, why keeping the process moving is so important once buyers are involved, and how an experienced advisor can help you navigate the questions, challenges and negotiations that come with a sale. We also discuss what to look for when choosing a corporate finance advisor, from trust and rapport to sector experience and the strength of their network of buyers and investors.Finally, we explore what really drives valuation multiples beyond headline profit, including quality of earnings, cash generation, customer retention, systems and data, and the risks associated with reliance on key individuals. We look at why earnouts and deferred consideration are so common, and how continuity, succession planning and building a strong management team can influence both the transaction process and the value of a business.If you are interested in finding out more about selling a business, please contact us at [email protected]. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Corporate Partner, Chris Dobson, is joined by business leader Rich Pawlyn to discuss what really makes a business exit successful and why preparation for due diligence can make or break a deal.Drawing on a real transaction they worked on together, Chris and Rich explore the journey from a failed sale to a successful exit, including a multi-year turnaround project, operational transformation, and the strategic preparation required to present a business clearly and confidently to buyers.Their conversation focuses particularly on early-stage due diligence, what buyers look for, how sellers should prepare, and how getting organised early can reduce stress, protect value, and prevent last-minute deal risks.They also discuss the human side of selling a business: managing emotion, aligning stakeholders, preparing management teams, and choosing advisors who add genuine value.Finally, they look ahead to the future of dealmaking, including how AI and automation are reshaping data rooms and due diligence processes. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Mission Possible: Leading, Managing and Delivering In this episode, Sarah Williamson, Partner and Head of Commercial & Technology at Boyes Turner, sits down with Sharon Evans, former Chief Legal Officer at TotallyMoney, to explore how in-house lawyers can expand their influence and demonstrate value within their organisations.Sharon shares how meeting teams where they are joining stand-ups, using Slack instead of rigid forms, and speaking their language can help legal feel like part of the business, not apart from it. She also touches on how guiding colleagues through a crisis can build trust faster than anything else.When it comes to senior stakeholders, Sharon explains how tailoring communication to the audience whether it’s the CEO, investors, or the board makes all the difference. Her advice on proving value? Don’t obsess over KPIs unless they truly fit your business. Sometimes, success is measured in the absence of friction and in spotting opportunities before anyone else, like getting ahead of GDPR or using AI responsibly.A smart, practical conversation about influence, trust, and making legal a strategic partner at the table. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Mission Possible: Leading, Managing and DeliveringIn this episode, Andy Whiteaker, Partner and Head of Employment at Boyes Turner, is joined by Christian Waida from OpenText and Ben Martin from Wordsmith to talk about what it really takes to balance being both a lawyer and a manager.They dive into how to build a positive team culture where people feel supported, trusted, and motivated to do their best work. Ben shares why empowering juniors to take the lead and making space for fun and connection keeps teams engaged, while Christian talks about creating an environment where people actually enjoy what they do because when they do, everyone wins.The panel also tackles trust, transparency, and the importance of following through on your promises as a leader. Plus, they explore how to hire the right people, focusing on attitude and willingness to learn over technical skills.A thoughtful conversation on leadership, culture, and building teams that thrive inside and outside the legal world. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

In this transparent and inspiring conversation with Rowan Turrall, Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, Emma Lilley shares her remarkable journey from entering law through clearing (after missing the grades for her preferred music degree) to becoming Head of Legal at SDWorks. Her path challenges every conventional assumption about what makes a successful lawyer, demonstrating how determination and authenticity can triumph over traditional expectations.Emma's discovery of in-house legal practice during a gap year in Australia became the foundation for her career path. Rather than following the prescribed route through private practice, she forged her own way, ultimately qualifying and building a legal function from scratch. Her practical advice on succeeding as a sole counsel – prioritising relationships before implementing changes – offers valuable insights for anyone establishing legal operations in a business setting.Perhaps most valuable is Emma's detailed explanation of how the SQE qualification route has made in-house training more accessible than ever before. For aspiring lawyers and legal leaders alike, she demystifies the process and makes a compelling case for why businesses should offer these opportunities. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

At the beginning of October we held our annual conference of Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme "Embedding the in-house legal team at the heart of the business" which included expert panels sharing their views.In our next panel session, we spoke about how embedding legal teams into the core of business operations can champion Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in a transformative way. Andrew Whiteaker lead this panel session featuring Robin Carvell-Spedding from Protium and Polly Tassell from CarWow. We promise you'll gain fresh insights into the role of legal teams in fostering a truly inclusive workplace. From tackling challenges in traditionally male-dominated industries to embracing diverse perspectives in EDI initiatives, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons and real-world experiences. The episode also explores the topic of paternity leave as a driver of gender equality. By encouraging fathers to take paternity leave, businesses can support gender equality both in the workplace and at home. This approach not only empowers women to pursue their careers but also challenges traditional gender roles, leading to a more balanced and equitable society.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

In early October we held our annual conference of Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme "Embedding the in-house legal team at the heart of the business" which included expert panels sharing their views.Our next panel session discussed aligning your legal team with your business's core. Join Rowan Turrall, alongside Maria Passemard from Johnson Matthey and Jamie Fraser, Group General Counsel at Gordon Murray Group, as they teach you how to identify genuine business needs before diving into the world of legal tech. Conducting a thorough technology audit can save you from unnecessary expenditures and ensure that your tech investments address challenges impacting the entire organization.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

At the beginning of October we held our annual conference of Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme "Embedding the in-house legal team at the heart of the business" which included expert panels sharing their views.Our first panel session showed how in-house legal teams are becoming pivotal in steering businesses towards sustainability and managing potential risks. Featuring insights from experts like Nick Carter, Anna Stanley, Francine Godrich, and Michael Astle, this discussion promises a comprehensive look at why ESG policies are no longer optional but essential. Get an insider's perspective on how B Corp certifications are reshaping industries globally, and hear from Francine Godrich about an innovative office move that slashed carbon emissions for her company.Our panel, led by Nick, wraps up a thought-provoking conversation that spans across industries, from music tech to science, spotlighting the young voices demanding environmental accountability. We explore the diverse motivations behind ESG adoption and how these strategies are shaping today's business landscape. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

In this episode, we dive into everything you need to know about data protection with expert Ben Martin, Director of Privacy at Trustpilot and author of 'GDPR for Startups and Scale-ups' and Host, Sarah Williamson, Partner and Head of Commercial Technology at Boyes Turner.  Ben Martin shares his unique journey from environmental to data protection law, emphasizing the convergence of regulation, technology, and application. As businesses grow and technologies like AI become more integrated into our daily operations, the challenges that in-house counsel face in terms of data protection become more complex.Throughout the episode, the overarching message is clear: data protection should not be viewed as a mere compliance hurdle but as an essential element of trust and privacy. In essence, this episode provides valuable insights for any business or legal professional aiming to navigate the future of legal tech with confidence.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

On 12 October we held our inaugural conference for Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme “Building Growth and Efficiency for in-house legal teams” which included expert panels sharing their views.For our last panel, Sarah Williamson, Head of Commercial and Technology at Boyes Turner was joined by Andrew Cooke, General Counsel of Travelperk, Harry Borovick, General Counsel of Luminance and Joanna Goodman, journalist and Law Society Gazette columnist.In this session Andy and Harry discuss how they use AI within their day to day roles. Andy explains how his team have introduced an AI powered chatbot to answer repeated queries that are asked of the in-house legal team. Harry discusses how he uses the company’s own AI products to support the in-house team.Joanna talks about how it is not too late to start looking at AI and discusses accessible ways to find out what it can do.Andy advocates finding out what the pain is that you are seeking to resolve rather than rushing into an AI solution that may not be what is needed but being open to the benefits of AI. Joanna also elaborates on finding a use case for AI.Joanna also discusses the interaction between AI and ESG from a governance perspective but also on the environmental front, particularly bearing in mind the energy and water used in operating and cooling data centres used in running generative AI.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

On 12 October we held our inaugural conference for Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme “Building Growth and Efficiency for in-house legal teams” which included expert panels sharing their views.For our second panel, M&A specialist Chris Dobson, Corporate Partner at Boyes Turner was joined by Mark Blunden, VP and General Counsel EMEA of Culligan and Barbara Keane, General Counsel and Company Secretary of Origin Enterprises plc.Mark discusses his role within an M&A transaction and how the in-house legal team being involved at the very outset in discussions regarding how the deal is shaped can be beneficial and add value.Barbara reflects on how important it is to leverage off prior deals and knowledge and considers ways in which that expertise can be captured for use in future transactions.Mark and Barbara discuss how the role of the in-house team has evolved and what skills are needed to be a credible internal adviser and how to act as a bridge across the whole breadth of the business.The last key issue considered was how people are brought into the organisation post-acquisition and Barbara and Mark comment on how the structure of the deal can impact integration, particularly when there is an earn-out provision. They discuss how to maximise the benefit of the acquisition in these circumstances.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

On 12 October we held our inaugural conference for Heads of Legal and GCs with the theme “Building Growth and Efficiency for in-house legal teams” which included expert panels sharing their views.For our first panel Rowan Turrall, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Boyes Turner was joined by Holly Moore, Lawyer at ITV, Lucie Allen, Managing Director of Barbri, Mark Levine, Managing Director of BCL Legal and Dilsha Caldera, Deputy General Counsel at the Civil Aviation Authority.Holly was one of the first cohort of lawyers to qualify through the apprenticeship route and shares her experiences of the SQE route to qualification. She explains how the apprenticeship allowed her to access a legal career which might not otherwise have been available.Barbri is an SQE preparation course provider and Lucie explains how the new routes to qualification have opened up the legal ecosystem, not just for those looking to qualify but also for employers. Lucie also discusses how the SQE has enabled the in-house community to discover new ways of approaching workforce strategy, and upskilling and attracting talent.Dilsha shares the challenges that CAA has faced in recruiting and retaining talent on a limited budget and her advice to in-house teams around knowing and having your USP thread through the recruitment process.Mark discusses the recent findings of BCL’s salary survey and the importance for employers to identify what the role or opportunity is going to give to someone who is not unhappy in their current role. Mark also shares his thoughts around recruitment budgets and the impact of competition from law firms who often offer more flexibility in terms of hybrid working than in-house roles.We asked the audience whether the introduction of the SQE had made them think differently about how they may recruit junior talent. The answer was overwhelmingly “Yes”. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

In-House in Conversation features conversations with in-house lawyers talking about their roles and the challenges they face.In this episode, Rowan Turrall, Head of Dispute Resolution at Boyes Turner, talks to Christian Waida of OpenText about managing a legal team across multiple jurisdictions and dealing with a major acquisition.  Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Commercial Property update: A look back at the key updates of 2022 and a look forward to 2023 dealing with the aftermath of Coronavirus restrictions.Russell May, Richard Pulford and Jazmin Perry of Boyes Turner’s Dispute Resolution team will be looking back at some of the key updates affecting commercial property in 2022, in particular the impact of the expiry of the mandatory arbitration scheme for coronavirus rent arrears on issues such as recovery of monies owed, forfeiture options and the commercial considerations of such action.They take a look ahead at some of the changes that may be on the horizon for 2023 as well as offering advice on practical early prevention of issues which often cause disputes between landlord and tenant. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Construction update: A look back at the key cases of 2022 and a look forward to 2023.Rowan Turrall and Carly Dodds of Boyes Turner’s Dispute Resolution team look back at some of the key construction cases of 2022 and consider the practical implications for those in the industry. They then take a look ahead at some of the changes that may be on the horizon for 2023.This breakfast seminar podcast is of interest to all in the construction industry including developers, employers, contractors, subcontractors and professional consultants. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

In-House in Conversation features conversations with in-house lawyers talking about their roles and the challenges they face. In this episode, Rowan Turrall, Head of Dispute Resolution at Boyes Turner talks to Emily Garvey, Chief Legal Officer of Westcoast Group about her first in-house role as Westcoast’s first in-house lawyer.   Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us 

Janey Rankin, Trainee Solicitor interviews Barry Stanton, Partner and Head of the Employment and Immigration team. In this episode, Barry describes his experience becoming a lawyer and how it was something he wanted to do since a young age. He has had an extensive career and after working with Boyes Turner for the last 21 years he tells us his favourite aspect of his career so far. Episode LinksVisit our websiteContact us