About the Podcast
Beyond the job title
Legal careers rarely follow a straight line.
The Rackle Backdrop explores the decisions, opportunities and challenges that lawyers face throughout their careers — from progression in private practice to partnership decisions, career changes and life beyond traditional legal paths.
Through conversations with people across the legal industry, we explore how careers really develop and evolve.
Series one - Coming Soon
Turning Points
with Paul McMullan
In the first series, Ed O’Brien is joined by Paula McMullan, one of the legal profession’s leading career coaches.
Across a series of conversations, they explore the themes that consistently appear throughout legal careers - the pressures, choices and turning points that influence decisions lawyers make.
Episodes
Episode
01
Ed and Paula discuss the recurring themes that influence lawyers throughout their careers — why the same questions often appear at different stages, and how understanding them can help lawyers navigate change.
18 June 2026
28 mins
Three Themes That Follow You Through Your Career
Episode
02
Ed and Paula discuss the transition from trainee to qualified lawyer - the mindset shifts, challenges and decisions that shape the early years, and how junior lawyers can build strong foundations for their future careers.
coming soon
28 mins
Life after Qualification - Building the foundations of a successful legal career
Episode
03
Ed and Paula discuss how mid-level lawyers can take ownership of their careers — avoiding career drift, evaluating opportunities effectively and making decisions that align with their long-term goals and ambitions.
coming soon
28 mins
The Middle Years - choice, direction and making intentional decisions
Featured Guest
Paula McMullan
Career Coach for Lawyers
Paula McMullan is one of the legal industry’s most recognised career coaches, helping lawyers navigate progression, change and key career decisions.
As a former lawyer, she combines first-hand experience of the profession with deep insight into the choices and challenges that shape legal careers.