#TheLawyer’sBriefs: Ten podcasts every lawyer should listen to

For those of who aren’t familiar with podcasts (a portmanteau of ipod and broadcast), podcasting is a form of audio broadcasting on the Internet. Typically, these are knowledge gems, without the distraction or requirement of any video, shifting all the focus to what matters the most i.e. the content..While countries such as USA and UK have been podcasting successfully for a considerable period, this means of dissemination of content has just recently caught pace in India. And for the lawyers, the availability of content is further narrowed down to a select few..However, we have identified five Indian and five global podcasts, that all lawyers should listen to..Indian Podcasts.These Indian podcasts are primarily directed towards enhancing your knowledge pool and keeping you updated with the latest political and legal changes, in a more engaging manner.1. Policy Peepul [Link] [Avg. duration: 1 hr 10 mins].With only four episodes out so far, it’s definitely worth your time if you enjoy conversations concerning policies and laws. While this might sound quite dull, the candid manner in which the conversation takes place is sure to keep your attention. Meghnad invites policy experts and lawyers to the show to discuss various issues which affect the ‘public’..2. Trial by Error [Link] [Avg. duration: 20-25 mins].A reconstruction like ‘Serial’ (the biggest podcasting success ever), Trial by Error meticulously delves into the Arushi Talwar murder case. Nishita Jha, focuses on different aspects of the case in each episode, highlighting the flaws in the investigative process. Interviews with people involved in the case, provide the listeners with an unbiased narrative..3. A New Republic [Link] [Avg. duration: 20 mins].It’s a podcast (for the constitutional nerds) about the Indian Constitution and how it came to be. It will certainly get you hooked to it once you hear it’s first episode. Fascination for those who are into history and entertaining, nonetheless, for those who aren’t..However, as Sidin himself confesses towards the end of the last episode- ‘the world’s most irregular podcast on the Indian Constitution”- and so it is. In over a year, we haven’t seen a single episode of this podcast..4. Newslaundry [Link] [Avg. duration: 1 hr 30 mins].While not strictly legal, the ‘NL Hafta’ touches upon several topics which many a times may be of relevance to lawyers. For example, a discussion on the sedition charges against Amnesty..NL Hafta gives a good mix of views from different people keeps you up to date with the most relevant news from the previous weak. All this, in the form of a discussion between a group of people, which can be quite entertaining at times..5. Indicast [Link] [Avg. duration: 20 mins].Again, while it is not strictly a legal podcast, it does touch upon topics which would definitely interest a significant fraction of lawyers. Episodes include discussion on Raghuram Rajan’s exit from the RBI; the Brexit and it’s impact, along with snippets from the most fun Parliament ever, the British Parliament; the legal hurdles involved in making the ‘Make in India’ dream a reality, TRAI’s differential pricing guidelines and much more..Global.These global podcasts are more directed towards practices, techniques, insights which would be of relevance to lawyers across the globe..1. The Lawyerist Podcast [Link] [Avg. duration: 30 mins].These are lawyers who ‘get it’ and are not afraid to admit that it’s ultimately, a business..While mostly directed towards the younger lawyers, it also has a lot of relevance with lawyers with years of experience. In one of the episodes, Sam talks to Jeena Cho, who runs a bankruptcy law practice at San Francisco. What’s interesting is Cho also works with lawyers and law firms on stress management, work-life balance, career transition, and increasing productivity..2. Thinking like a lawyer [Link] [Avg. duration: 30-35 mins].Thinking Like A Lawyer is a legal podcast with a twist. Rather than taking a legal issue and discussing it, each week, Above the Law’s Elie and Joe take a topic experienced and enjoyed by ordinary people and look at it afresh through a legal framework. The result is a fascinating new perspective on ordinary features of day-to-day life..3. The Digital Edge [Link] [Avg. duration: 30 mins].This (monthly) podcast aims to focus on the intersection between law and technology, discusses the latest in legal technology news and provides legal professionals the tips and tools that are needed to be successful in the industry..4. Legal Toolkit [Link] [Avg. duration: 30 mins].Legal Toolkit invites the top lawyers in the industry to discuss the services, ideas, and programs that have improved their practices such as, litigation support for law firms, concepts of organization and productivity for lawyers and why they are essential for the successful practice of law..5. Life of the law [Link] [Avg. duration: 30-40 mins].The biweekly Life of the Law podcast doesn’t just discuss the law and legal issues, it features ‘stories’ that explore law and its effect on people and society. The result is a beautifully produced podcast that brings the law to life through the power of people’s real-life experiences..[Image:Source]