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
Turning Points
with Paula 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
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.
30 June 2026
28 mins
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.
14 July 2026
30 mins
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.