Podcasts are in! Ginny’s Podcast Picks for Young Lawyers

I’ve compiled a list of great legal podcasts I’ve listened to, divided by area of law or topic. I discovered some of my favourite law podcasts popped up during the covid-19 pandemic to help a lot of new and young lawyers. Since I have an Android mobile, I was listening to podcasts on Google Podcast, and then recently started listening to Spotify. Since Google Podcasts is shutting down, I will provide a spotify link in the description. Most are Canadian with a few US podcasts that are universal. These are great to listen to anytime, whether you’re doing household chores or on your commute.

Canadian Criminal Law:

The Law Garage – I love this podcast because it is so real, and so authentic! Love cars and criminal law? This is it! It’s a way to chill with the criminal bar and feel like you’re in the garage. The first season was originally hosted by Justice Paul Cooper before he became a judge, and he interviews a lot of seasoned criminal lawyers that provide you with real practical insight on how to practice criminal law, as well as give some substantive content. Marco Sciarra took over for the seasons after and has gotten more criminal lawyers to talk about their experience, and you will hear the war stories about how they got down in the trenches. The criminal defence bar is such a collegial practice group that is unlike any other group of lawyers I’ve been around – sorry we can be a little uncensored. Spotify Link

The Lawyers Lounge Podcast by Emond Publishing – Started during the pandemic, and hosted by Lisa Jorgenen and Danielle Robitaille, you will learn about different issues effecting the criminal justice system, hear thoughts on recent criminal cases, and practical considerations for criminal lawyers such as starting up your own firm, and how to effectively advocate in the virtual courtroom. Spotify Link

Canadian Intellectual Property:

Canadian IP Voices Podcast hosted by Lisa Desjardin – This one I listen to on Google Podcasts, but I believe it should be available on other mediums as well. The host often interviews different guest speakers to discuss and educate the public on tips, tricks and how intellectual property works in real life. I really like listening to this one as it’s very informative and you get exposed to a lot of different professionals that work with IP including IP examiners, IP lawyers, policy analysts, in-house counsel, professors, various government department officers, and business owners. Spotify Link

IP Law Podcast Series by Bereskin & Parr – You’ll listen to lawyers from Bereskin and Parr discuss intellectual property topics including new regulations. Spotify Link

Canadian Immigration Law:

Canadian Immigration Podcast by Mark Holthe – If you’re interested in immigration law, I highly recommend you subscribe to this podcast. Mark is an immigration lawyer in Alberta and all of his podcasts are entertaining, informative and go into great detail about what’s happening with applications and programs that are coming out affecting immigration law. I haven’t listened to all of his episodes but when I do, I always learn something new or a tip for applications. Spotify Link

Canadian Estate Law:

Hull on Estates – These are short episodes that give you some insights into the issues, and recent case law around estate planning for lawyers practising estate law. Unlike a lot of other podcasts in this article, all the episodes in this podcast series are less than 20minutes long making it convenient to listen whenever you can squeeze in time and want to keep up with the law. Spotify Link

Canadian Entertainment & Media Law:

Dentons Entertainment & Media Law Signal Podcast Series – If you’re interested in entertainment law and learning about the legal issues that entertainment and media lawyers tackle, you should save and listen to this one. You will often hear from lawyers like Bob Tarantino who practices entertainment law at Dentons, along with other guests that tell you how other areas of law can collide with the media and entertainment industry such as in one episode, Helen Park discusses how immigration issues during the covid-19 pandemic effected the media industry. Spotify Link

Canadian Privacy and Digital Policy

LawBytes – Hosted by Michael Geist, this podcast talks about recent legal changes and laws that effect privacy and digital access in Canada. Spotify Link

Canadian Employment Law:

Dentons Canadian Employment and Labour Law Podcast – Employment law was ever changing during the pandemic, from covid-19 testing to vaccine policies in the workplace. It was good to hear how others were interpreting the laws as they were coming in during this time. Spotify Link

General Law Practice and Lawyer help:

The Free Lawyer hosted by Gary Miles – I listen to this one on Spotify and I believe it’s available also on Apple Podcasts. Gary is a retired American lawyer who now helps coach other lawyers. There’s a lot of negativities in the legal field as a lawyer, and if you want to listen to lawyers who actually love what they do and their practice, this is the podcast to listen to. Gary helps lawyers who aren’t satisfied with their practice recognize what blocks they may have and helps them to have a more fulfilling practice. You will hear tips and motivation on how you can transform your practice into something that aligns better with you. If you’re struggling with work-life balance, perfectionism, autonomy, or just not feeling aligned as a lawyer, Gary’s podcast gives you the comfort, motivation and tips you may need to hear. One of the first podcast episodes I was drawn to and felt great after listening, was episode “183. The Secret to Creating Success and Fulfillment in Your Legal Career.” Spotify Link

NCA Network: Legally Abroad – This podcast is for all internationally trained lawyers entering the Canadian market. You will hear episodes on resume tips, mental health during the process, and the NCA process itself to name some of the episode topics. Spotify Link

Lawyerist Podcast – A podcast about lawyering and law practice by Stephanie Everett. You will hear insights from various lawyers about how they practice such as subscription models, how they get clients, choosing the right law practice management software, and more. Spotify Link

What podcasts are you listening to? Do you have any favourites or recommendations for your fellow law colleagues? Comment below!