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The Legal Pause: Episode 6 – Leadership, Pressure, and Opening Up in the Legal Profession

In Episode 6 of The Legal Pause, Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, is joined by Mark Evans, President of The Law Society of England and Wales, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, wellbeing, and the realities of working in today’s legal profession.  

The episode explores how expectations within the profession are evolving, the pressures many solicitors face behind the scenes, and why speaking openly about challenges still doesn’t come easily. 

Mark Evans and The Law Society

Mark Evans is President of The Law Society of England and Wales, representing over 200,000 solicitors across the profession. His journey into law began in a small village in North Wales, where he had not initially seen a legal career as an option. It was only through early exposure and encouragement that he began to consider it as a path – something he now actively promotes to others entering the profession. Alongside his presidential role, Mark is also a lecturer and a strong advocate for widening access to the profession.  

The growing pressure of modern legal work

A key theme in this episode is the increasing pressure facing solicitors. Mark reflects on how the profession has changed, particularly with the rise of technology and shifting client expectations. Many solicitors now feel a growing pressure to be constantly available, with less separation between work and personal life. 

“Consumers can drive this ‘24/7 always on’ approach… there is the expectation that someone replies outside of usual office hours.”  

Why asking for help still feels difficult

Despite more open conversations around wellbeing, there remains a reluctance within the profession to seek support. In law, independence and resilience are often seen as essential traits. While these qualities are valuable, they can also make it harder for individuals to speak up when they are struggling. Mark reflects on how the profession is not always used to asking for help, even when support is available.

Leading with openness

Throughout the episode, Mark speaks about the importance of leadership visibility and openness. By sharing his own experiences, both professional and personal, he aims to show that it is possible to lead while also being human. This approach helps create space for others to feel more comfortable having honest conversations.  

“I want people to know I am a human being with emotions… talking about something can make a difference.”

Wellbeing and community

The conversation also touches on the importance of community and finding ways to support wellbeing in everyday life. For Mark, running plays a key role in managing stress and maintaining balance. His creation of LegalRunner has helped bring people together across the profession, encouraging both physical activity and open conversations around mental health. 

Raising awareness of support

A central part of the discussion is how to ensure solicitors are aware of the support available to them. Mark highlights the importance of consistently sharing information about organisations such as The Solicitors’ Charity, LawCare, and The Law Society.

“How do we get the message out there? Every time I speak to a relevant audience, I mention the organisations that can help.” 

Creating a more supportive profession

Episode 6 highlights both the progress that has been made and the work still to do. There is growing awareness of wellbeing across the legal profession, but cultural change takes time. Creating a more open and supportive environment means continuing to have these conversations and ensuring support is visible and accessible.  

Listen now: The Legal Pause – Episode 6 

Available on all major streaming platforms.