First Speakers Confirmed for TLC 2026
We are thrilled to announce the first confirmed speakers for The Legal Conference 2026. Across two panels, our speakers bring a wealth of practical experience in law firm leadership, strategy, business development and technology — with a clear focus on what actually works for small and mid-sized practices.
TLC was built to serve the leaders of SME law firms, and the speaker line-up reflects that. Every confirmed speaker has direct, hands-on experience with the challenges and opportunities that managing partners and senior leaders face in firms like yours.
Keynote Speaker: Harriet Beveridge
We are delighted to confirm Harriet Beveridge as our keynote speaker. An award-winning executive coach and co-author of 'Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?', Harriet brings a dynamic, evidence-based approach to leadership development that empowers leaders to navigate complexity with confidence and create cultures that drive sustainable growth.
Panel One: The Future of Law
"One Future: How Legal Work Is Evolving Today" will explore how legal work is changing, what is driving those changes, and what it means for the leaders and managers of SME law firms. Confirmed speakers for Panel One are:
Simon McCrum — Managing Director, McCrum Consulting
Simon McCrum is one of the UK's foremost experts on law firm management and growth. A former managing partner of a significant regional firm, Simon now works with law firm leaders across the UK through McCrum Consulting. He is the author of the acclaimed Law Firm Management & Growth Trilogy, widely read by senior leaders across the sector.
Simon brings a refreshingly direct and practical perspective to the big questions facing SME firms. View Simon's full bio.
Abby Winkworth — Director, Ambire Advisory Limited
Abby Winkworth works with leadership teams in small and mid-sized law firms to help them step back, gain clarity and make confident decisions about the future of their business. She brings a strategic and human-centred lens to the challenges of running a law firm in a demanding and fast-changing environment.
Abby's work focuses on helping firms navigate change thoughtfully and build strategies that genuinely reflect their values and ambitions. View Abby's full bio.
Vidisha Joshi — Founder and Director, V Joshi Consulting Ltd
Vidisha Joshi is a legal sector consultant with deep expertise in law firm strategy, growth and innovation. She works with SME practices to help them navigate change, sharpen their competitive position and build businesses that are sustainable for the long term.
Vidisha brings both strategic insight and operational know-how, with a particular focus on helping firms that are ready to evolve but need the right framework to do so. View Vidisha's full bio.
Panel Two: AI for SME Law Firms
"Beyond the Buzzwords: What AI Can Really Do for SME Practices" will cut through the noise and hype around artificial intelligence, focusing on what is actually delivering results for firms of your size. Confirmed speakers for Panel Two are:
Mike Leeman — Managing Partner, Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors
Mike Leeman is the Managing Partner of Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, a well-established regional firm. He brings a practitioner's perspective to the AI conversation, speaking from lived experience of how a busy SME law firm actually evaluates, adopts and benefits from new technology.
James Chadburn — Managing Partner, Dean Wilson
James Chadburn is the Managing Partner of Dean Wilson, a respected independent firm. James will share his firm's experience of navigating the rapidly evolving technology landscape and offer practical insight for other managing partners thinking about how to approach AI strategically.
Francis Davis — Senior Executive, Wavenet
Francis Davis brings expertise in technology and digital transformation to the panel, helping professional services firms understand how modern tech solutions can drive efficiency and growth. He will offer a technology provider's perspective on how AI tools are being deployed in practice, and what SME firms should be thinking about.
Conference Host: Lara Squires
Lara Squires, Founder and Director of Consortium – more than marketing, will host the day. Lara founded Consortium after recognising a need for outsourced marketing delivered by people with genuine sector experience. She is also the organiser of TLC, and brings energy, warmth and sharp sector knowledge to her role as host.
View All Speakers
You can view the full speakers page for full bios and further details on all confirmed speakers.