Public speaking is a key skill for career-minded professionals. The Brief speaks to a number of experts to find out their tips for getting started, overcoming nerves and identifying the best opportunities.
The ability to speak in public is obviously a must for lawyers who represent clients in court. However, it is also essential for almost any legal professional who wishes to progress in their career.
As John Watkins, director of employability at the University of Law, says, “The majority of solicitors would say that it isn’t something they particularly enjoy but, if you don’t try proactively to do something about it, that is a problem.
“In 2025 this is a ‘hard’ skill in the profession not a ‘nice to have’.”
Public speaking is a fear for a lot of people, so if you can do it, and do it well, you already have a competitive advantage.
To stand out among the crowd of talented lawyers, he continues, the ability to hold an audience can be a key differentiator. “Public speaking is a ‘brand’ moment where what you do is immediately visible,” he says.
“It may also attract social media or other publicity which extends the impact beyond the length of the presentation.”
Competitive advantage
Veronica Hannon is a public speaking and communications expert – a three-time TEDx presenter and co-founder and director of the PR agency Transform Comms. She says, “Speaking engagements showcase your expertise to a room full of potential clients, referrers, talent and peers.
“Being seen as a thought leader can not only influence career progression, but also rankings in respected legal directories.
“Public speaking is a fear for a lot of people, so if you can do it, and do it well, you already have a competitive advantage. This ability differentiates you and signals confidence and leadership potential to senior partners and prospective clients.
“Public speaking is a highly valued skill. If you’re good at it, you’ll find that you’re always in demand. And each engagement builds your network and adds further credibility to your career.”
Getting started
Caroline Goyder is a public speaking trainer and author of the books Gravitas and Find Your Voice. She tells the Brief, “If you’re nervous about public speaking you don’t want to start with the big conference. You need to build belief in yourself as a speaker step by step, overcoming your brain’s worries about being visible.”
Notice who you admire as speakers within the business and beyond. Ask them what they did to get there. Listen and learn.
She recommends that junior lawyers “start where you are”.
“Watch and learn,” she continues. “Notice who you admire as speakers within the business and beyond. Ask them what they did to get there. Listen and learn.
“Then practise stepping into the spotlight of an audience’s attention. First the smaller moments: look around for opportunities to speak at local schools or community groups, present at internal team meetings, offer to give short client updates.”
Training
There are, as Watkins points out, a multitude of presentation skills courses available. External courses , he says, have the advantage of allowing development away from colleagues, whereas internal courses can be more bespoke to the culture, tone and style of your current employer.
He says, “For many people there are some contextual aspects which make 1-1 support the preference. The admission of relative weaknesses, fear and, past experiences requires a trusting environment and sometimes confidentiality.
“This is a where coaching can be particularly valuable and many organisations recognise the value of such support for senior figures, for more than just their public speaking commitments.”
Goyder says that, as well as employer trainers like her, lawyers might wish to join their local Toastmasters group. This organisation is spoken of very highly by many people, and it has the added bonus of being free.
Opportunities
Minal Backhouse, CEO of Essex-based Backhouse Solicitors, says, “Recent graduates and professionals just starting out in their career might want to think about beginning with internal presentations. Training sessions or ‘lunch & learns’ can help build confidence in a supportive environment.
“For those with a few years’ experience under their belts, talks at local universities, junior legal panels, and networking events are a great choice, whilst also helping to build a public profile.”
To find these opportunities she recommends that lawyers not to be afraid to reach out directly, whether by contacting their former university or law school, or putting themselves forward in the workplace to present to colleagues.
Talks at local universities, junior legal panels, and networking events are a great choice, whilst also helping to build a public profile.
“Let people know you're open to speaking,” she says. “Word of mouth is powerful”
For those approaching the middle of their careers, Backhouse continues, speaking engagements are a chance to showcase expertise, raise visibility, and contribute to client-facing activities.
She says, “Keep an eye out for client training sessions or CPD events, legal panels and roundtables, as well as more informal webinars and podcasts. It’s also worth applying to speak at relevant conferences to build credibility.
“Having a few paragraphs to hand about why you should be picked for these speaking opportunities can increase your chances of being selected, as well as speed up the process.”
For senior lawyers and partners, meanwhile, she says speaking engagements are a strategic way to drive business development, establish thought leadership, and influence wider legal or regulatory conversations.
Backhouse says, "By this point you may wish to aim for keynote talks at national legal events, panel and roundtable moderation opportunities, media opportunities, and contributions to policy discussions.
“This is where it can be really beneficial to collaborate with your PR or business development team to identify and pitch for opportunities. Frequently engaging with professional bodies, industry groups, and media contacts also helps to keep your profile high."
Overcoming nerves
Really knowing your subject and thoroughly rehearsing your presentation are essential to ensure a great performance. Goyder recommends recording your rehearsals and listening back to them, and ensuring you “get the opening and closing lines super clear in your head”.
To prevent nerves getting the better of you, you says to remember that “the body is the off-switch for the brain”.
“Come back to your body, clothes on skin, air on face,” she says. “Take a short walk, stretch, or shake out your limbs before speaking.
“When you’re clear on your message the best thing you can do for your confidence is to get out of your head and into your body, helping you feel present and in control.”
The body is the off-switch for the brain. Come back to your body, clothes on skin, air on face.
She recommends that, where possible, public speakers should borrow a trick from actors: “the half”. This is a focused 35-minute pre-performance period used to centre yourself before going on stage.
She explains, “In a legal setting, this might mean reviewing your notes slowly, practising your breathing, and standing in a quiet space before entering the room. This grounding creates presence, authority, and calm delivery—qualities that make audiences lean in and listen.”
Because preparation is key, Watkins also emphasises the importance of being on top of the practicalities: “Know your subject, understand the audience, be clear on timings and be confident with the tech.” The last point is crucial – everybody reading this will have attended more than one presentation that has been derailed by problems with PowerPoint slides or a dodgy microphone.
Structure and delivery
Watkins recommends structuring presentations in “flight mode”. He breaks this down as:
- Take off – tell the audience where they are going and what lies in store.
- Flight – take them where you want them to go
- Landing – confirm their arrival and remind them of where you have taken them.
When it comes to delivery, according to Hannon, “My number one tip is to ask yourself, ‘What does the best presenter version of me sound like?’ There is no single ‘right’ presenting style, your style is unique and that is your strength.
“Use your own voice, not the one that you think people want to hear and avoid mimicking someone else’s style – it’s one of the quickest ways to lose your audience’s trust. Find your own voice, rooted in your personality, when you do this, you’ll be more natural, more confident, and able to build genuine trust.”
Warmth, openness and authenticity will always outshine perfection. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
To establish trust, she warns against self-aggrandising oversharing.
She says, “You may think you’re being relatable, but too much focus on yourself – or using slides on how large your firm is – can be perceived arrogant and self-indulgent. The best speakers understand their audience’s priorities, values and challenges, and speak directly to them.”
When it comes to delivery, Hannon continues, you should incorporate “dynamic phrasing” by varying your volume, tone, pace and inflection, “like the rise and fall of a piece of music”.
Finally, she says, “Warmth, openness and authenticity will always outshine perfection. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
“You may be hyper-aware of every stumble, mispronunciation or awkward pause, but I can almost guarantee you, your audience won’t notice. They care far more about whether you’re connecting with them.”
Image courtesy of Freepik
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