The College of Law has asked me to present a series of 10 Podcasts on current legal issues which while aimed at prospective members of the profession will be of interest to qualified lawyers and non-lawyers who are interested in law. 10 programmes have now been recorded and the dates of release are set out below.

Presented by Mike Semple Piggot, Editor Insite Law and author of the Charon QC blog.

Episode 1: Des Hudson, Chief Executive of The Law Society

Monday 21st September: Professor Richard Susskind OBE - Professor Richard Susskind paints a fascinating and vivid picture of the way the legal profession is likely to develop, based on his research and his best-selling book The End of Lawyers? This is a must listen to for all lawyers, prospective, newly qualified and experienced.

Monday 28th September: Jenny Rowe  - Jenny Rowe, the CEO of the new Supreme Court gives a behind the scenes view of the new Supreme Court, (which opens on Thursday 1st October), the budget for running the court and the new technologies, events, publication of judgments with commentaries being employed to make the court more accessible to the public.

Monday 5th October: Lyn Johansen  - Lyn Johansen, graduate recruitment partner at Clifford Chance, talks about the qualities need by prospective applicants to Clifford Chance (which are applicable to most City firms), the application process and the training given to young lawyers. She also discusses the Clifford Chance Pro Bono programme which is a major feature of the Clifford Chance ethos.

Monday 12th October: Sir Nigel Knowles   - Sir Nigel Knowles, CEO of DLA piper explains how his firm went from being two small regional firms in Sheffield and Leeds to become the world's largest law firm by revenue in a matter of 15-20 years. He talks about what DLA Piper are looking for in terms of recruiting young lawyers, emphasising that they have a very flexible approach and promote diversity and in particular are more than happy to give wild cards a chance. He talks enthusiastically about the College of Law and Sutton Trust Pathway to Law programme which DLA Piper supports and explains why DLA Piper chose the College of Law as their preferred provider.

Monday 19th October: Tom Kilroy   - Tom Kilroy, Executive Vice President,  General Counsel and Company Secretary of Misys plc, gives a fascinating insight into the work and role of General or in-house counsel stressing the differences between general practice and in-house legal work and stresses that anyone who wishes to become a General Counsel should get experience with a firm first and be hot on financials and business! News angle: Something about the new In-House PSC route?

Monday 26th October: Simon Myerson QC   - Simon Myerson considers the OLPAS form, the pupillage process, how best to prepare for pupillage interviews and the likely legal landscape for those who wish to join the Bar. He is generally optimist about the future and his advice is that it is a good career, if you are good.

Monday 2nd November: Amy Wilson  -   Amy Wilson talks about her motivation for going into the law, the demands of the GDL and LPC courses which she did at the College of Law and her experience of the interview process and work at Farrer & Co.

Monday 9th November: Frances Nicholson  - Frances Nicholson, recruitment and training manager at Halliwells,  talks about women in the profession, considers whether the so-called ‘glass ceiling’ still exists and gives her view on the demands and practical issues likely to be faced by young women going into law.

Monday 16th November: Stephen Mayson - Professor Stephen Mayson considers the future of the legal profession and the legal landscape following the opportunities for alternate business structures and the opportunities for young lawyers coming into the profession over the next few years.

Monday 23rd November: Keir Starmer QC, Director of Puiblic Prosecutions - Keir Starmer QC discusses his vision for the future of the CPS, the relationship of the CPS with the independent bar, the growth in numbers and experience of solicitor-advocates and reflects on the process of criminal justice for 2010 and beyond.

Monday 30th November: Shami Chakrabarti CBE, Director of Liberty.