Shows / Activist Lawyer
Activist Lawyer
The Activist Lawyer podcast offers a platform for lawyers to share their story and journey into law and activism. Guests will discuss the challenges and highlights of their work as well as important cases, opinions on legal and political matters and will offer advice and tips for anyone interested in pursuing a career in human rights law, public interest law or criminal justice.
The Activist Lawyer Podcast is brought to you by the Granite Podcast Studio.
Episodes
Activist LawyerEp 139: The Shadow Court: Can Democracy Be Rescued from the Supreme Court? Julie C. Suk
Sarah Henry is joined by constitutional scholar Julie C. Suk to talk about her new book, The Shadow Court: Rescuing Democracy from the Supreme Court. Together…
Activist LawyerAccidental Activist: Ep 3, Mary Lawlor
A pioneering figure in the global human rights movement, Mary Lawlor reflects on her remarkable career advocating for human rights defenders across the world…
Activist LawyerEp 138: Crisis at Lough Neagh and the Fight for Environmental Justice
In this episode of The Activist Lawyer, we speak with Laura Neal, lawyer at Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, about the deepening ecological crisis at…
Activist LawyerAccidental Activist: Ep 2, Hajrija Čobo
Hajrija Čobo joins Brian and Sarah to discuss her journey as an environmental rights defender and campaigner. She shares how concerns about environmental harm…
Activist LawyerEp 137: The Law Society of Northern Ireland Special General Meeting: What You Need to Know - with Rosemary Connolly
What’s behind the upcoming Law Society of Northern Ireland Special General Meeting? In this episode of Activist Lawyer, we are joined by Rosemary Connolly…
Activist LawyerAccidental Activist: Ep 1, Johanna Nejedlová - Konsent
In this episode of Accidental Activist, Johanna Nejedlová, co-founder of Konsent, shares the story behind one of Europe's most influential consent education…
Activist LawyerSummer Update!
Today's episode is a short update from our host, Sarah with some exciting news about our upcoming mini-series. More info coming soon!
Activist LawyerEp 136: Zahraa Al-Jameel - Autism, Intersectionality and Studying Law
In this episode of Activist Lawyer, Sarah speaks with Zahraa Al-Jameel, a law student, content creator and passionate autism advocate working to challenge…
Activist LawyerEp 135: *Replay* Ciaran Moynagh
Sarah revisits an interview with solicitor Ciaran Moynagh from Phoenix Law in Belfast. Ciaran talks about how he became a lawyer specialising in human rights…
Activist LawyerEp 134: Special Episode O'Keeffe: Beyond the Landmark Case, the Campaign for Justice continues
When Louise O'Keeffe took her case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, she changed the landscape of accountability in Ireland. But decades…
Activist LawyerEp 133: Citizenship, Detention and Legal Aid - A conversation with Dr Ayesha Riaz
What happens when citizenship can be taken away? Why are immigration detainees still struggling to access quality legal advice? And has legal aid been…
Activist Lawyer*Replay* Ep 132: Harriet Wistrich - Centre for Women's Justice
We revisit the archive of Activist Lawyer episodes with one of the UK's leading feminist lawyers and founder and director of Centre for Women's Justice -…
Activist LawyerEp 131: The Fight for Palestinian Prisoners – with Sahar Francis
Sarah is joined by Sahar Francis, a Palestinian lawyer and human rights defender, to discuss Israel’s recently passed “Prisoners’ Execution Law” and its…
Activist LawyerEp 130: Rainbow Afghanistan – defending the rights and dignity of the LGBTQI+ community
In today’s episode, Sarah is joined by activist Basira Paigham and legal officer, Ebrahim from ‘Rainbow Afghanistan.’ Learn more about the work of this…
Activist LawyerEp 129: Writing is Resistance – with Dr Yousef Aljamal
Sarah is joined by Dr Yousef Aljamal on his visit to Ireland as Gaza co-ordinator at the American Friends Service Committee. This discussion focuses on writing…
Activist LawyerEp 128: Beyond the Courtroom: Law, Language and Liberation with Ifé Thompson
In this episode of The Activist Lawyer, we’re joined by barrister Ifé Thompson, whose ground breaking work is reshaping criminal defence through a racial…
Activist LawyerEp 127: Replay – Episode with Jude Copeland (ep 48)
We are delving into the archive and sharing this 2022 Activist Lawyer episode featuring solicitor Jude Copeland. Jude shares his journey into law, his practice…
Activist LawyerEp 126: Challenging the System: Jack Murphy on Article 2 inquiries, Housing and Prisoner Rights
In this episode, host Sarah speaks with solicitor Jack Murphy of McIvor Farrell Solicitors about his work across a broad range of human rights areas. From…
Activist LawyerEp 125: Corporate Criminal Liability in Conflict Settings – with Roi Bachmutsky, Amnesty International.
In this episode of Activist Lawyer, host Sarah Henry speaks with Roi Bachmutsky from Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights team about corporate…
Activist LawyerEp 124: Activist Lawyer Book Club information
We kick off our first Activist Lawyer Book Club of 2026 – with ‘Through the Gates of Hell – American Injustice at Guantanamo Bay’ by Joshua Colangelo – Bryan…
Activist LawyerEp 123: Rap Lyrics and Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System: Keir Monteith KC on 'Art Not Evidence'
Host Sarah Henry interviews Keir Monteith KC from Garden Court Chambers, discussing his pivotal work with the Art Not Evidence campaign. Keir explores the use…
Activist LawyerEp 122: Lawyering for Liberation – talking about movement lawyers with Ameca Reali and Marbré Stahly-Butts
We are delighted to welcome two brilliant lawyers, Marbré Stahly-Butts and Ameca Reali, to the Activist Lawyer podcast. Talking to our host Sarah Henry, the…
Activist LawyerEp 121: Seeking Justice: Diarmuid Brecknell on Fighting for Victims of Historical Abuse and the Troubles
Activist Lawyer Podcast, host Sarah Henry sits down with Diarmuid Brecknell, solicitor at Phoenix Law, to discuss his pivotal role in securing justice for…
Activist LawyerEp 120: The Role of Law in Conflict: with international lawyer Eitan Diamond
Host Sarah Henry is joined by international lawyer Eitan Diamond, who specialises in international humanitarian law and human rights law. As Manager and Senior…
Activist LawyerEp 119: Through the Gates of Hell: Joshua Colangelo-Bryan on the Fight for Justice at Guantanamo Bay
Host Sarah Henry meets Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, a renowned human rights lawyer and special counsel at Human Rights First. Joshua shares his journey into law…
Activist LawyerEp 118: Activist Lawyer Book Club information
A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book club with registration details is discussed in today’s episode. The next Book Club Meeting features 'Pride and…
Activist LawyerEp 117: Pride and Prejudices: Keio Yoshida on Queer Lives and the Law
In this special episode of The Activist Lawyer Podcast, host Sarah Henry sits down with international human rights lawyer and barrister, Keio Yoshida, to…
Activist LawyerEp 116: Shifting the Paradigm: Lawyer Courtney Teasley on Proactive Advocacy and Empowering Marginalised Communities
In this episode, criminal defence attorney, business coach, and visionary educator Courtney Teasley, Esq. joins host Sarah Henry to discuss her revolutionary…
Activist LawyerEp 115: Bridging Law and Investigative Journalism - with Roman Shortall
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Roman Shortall, a solicitor and investigative journalist, about his unique career at the crossroads of law and media. Roman…
Activist LawyerEp 114: Rights on the Front Line - a conversation with Brian Dooley
In this episode, human rights expert and senior policy advisor Brian Dooley joins Sarah to share his experience of working in conflict zones and supporting…
Activist LawyerEp 113: Working in Immigration Law – Interview with Solicitor, Miglena Ilieva
We kick start a new season of Activist Lawyer with dual-qualified solicitor Miglena Ilieva. Miglena is founder of ILEX Law Group – a law firm specialising in…
Activist LawyerEp 112: Seeking Justice – Redress for Survivors of Mother and Baby Homes with Aine Rice
Sarah speaks with solicitor Aine Rice, who works on the Legacy Litigation and Historical Institutional Abuse Team at KRW Law, about Stormont’s proposed inquiry…
Activist LawyerEp 111: Activist Lawyer Book Club info
A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book Club with registration details is discussed in today’s episode. The next Book Club Meeting features ‘Just Mercy’…
Activist LawyerEp 110: ‘Righting Wrongs’ with world leading human rights advocate – Kenneth Roth
Activist Lawyer welcomes Kenneth Roth, former long-serving Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, for a compelling conversation about his career at the…
Activist LawyerEp 109: Lawyers who Care – with Lucy Barnes
In this inspiring episode, host Sarah Henry speaks with Lucy Barnes, a Pupil Barrister at East Anglian Chambers. Lucy is also Co-Founder and CEO of Lawyers Who…
Activist LawyerEp 108: Mental Health and Well Being in the Legal Profession - A Personal Reflection
In this special episode of the Activist Lawyer Podcast, we explore a topic that’s incredibly important, yet still not properly understood – the state of mental…
Activist LawyerEp 107: For Those Who Know the Words, But Have No Voice – with Dr S Chelvan
In this compelling episode, host Sarah Henry speaks with the acclaimed and inspirational Dr S Chelvan – a multi-award-winning Activist Lawyer, Head of…
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Ep 106: May: Activist Lawyer Book Club Info
A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book club with registration details is discussed in today’s episode. The next Book Club Meeting features 'Righting…
Activist LawyerEp 105: Ending Gender Apartheid: Irish students call for action!
In this special episode of Activist Lawyer, we continue the conversation on gender apartheid with a focus on youth activism and international advocacy. We're…
Activist LawyerEp 104: Holding Perpetrators of War Crimes Accountable: Lawyers taking Action
In this episode, Sarah sits down with Tayab Ali, Director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), to discuss the organisation's…
Activist LawyerEp 103: Breaking the Chains: Challenging Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains with Nusrat Uddin
Host Sarah Henry is joined by Partner Solicitor Nusrat Uddin, Head of the Public Law and Human Rights department at Wilsons Solicitors. In this episode, Nusrat…
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Ep 102: Activist Lawyer Book Club info!
A short reminder of the Activist Lawyer Book Club with registration details are discussed in today’s episode. The next Book Club Meeting features ‘The Power in…
Activist LawyerEp 101: Taking Global Legal Action – Dr. Gearóid Ó Cuinn on the Pioneering Work of GLAN
In this episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), to explore the organisation's innovative…
Activist LawyerEp 100: Celebrating 100 episodes of the Activist Lawyer Podcast!
In this special episode, our host and co-founder, Sarah Henry, takes the hot seat, interviewed by solicitor and fellow co-founder, Jonathan McKeown. We’ll…
Activist LawyerEp 99: Domestic Violence – a reflection on the justice system in NI, featuring solicitor Anne Marie Featherstone
We kick off the New Year and the new season of the Activist Lawyer podcast with an interview featuring family law expert Anne Marie Featherstone. Anne Marie, a…
Activist LawyerEp 98: Michael Madden from Madden Finucane Solicitors in Belfast
In today’s episode, we are joined by renowned solicitor Michael Madden from Madden Finucane Solicitors in Belfast. Michael takes us through his journey into…
Activist LawyerEp 97: Katie de Kauwe - Friends of the Earth
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Katie de Kauwe, a senior lawyer with Friends of the Earth, to discuss the vital role of legal actions in holding the UK…
Activist LawyerEp 96: Becoming an Activist Lawyer – Activism and the Law
As part of our mini-series on Becoming an Activist Lawyer, host Sarah Henry discusses highlights from our guest contributors when asked to comment on the…
Activist LawyerEp 95: Monitoring Human Rights in Palestine – Student Megan Sethuraman shares her experience
Megan Sethuraman is currently studying a Master’s in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin. She joins Sarah on the podcast to discuss her…
Activist LawyerEp 94: Immigration: Insights from Dr. Sue Conlan
In Episode 94, host Sarah interviews immigration expert, Dr. Sue Conlan about the state of immigration in Ireland and the UK. The conversation offers an…
Activist LawyerEp 93: Unbinding the Binary in Law - with Oscar Davies
Join award-winning barrister Oscar Davies and host Sarah Henry as they discuss Oscar's journey to their practice at Garden Court Chambers. Oscar shares…
Activist LawyerEp 92: United Against Gender Apartheid – join the campaign!
Sarah is joined by a distinguished panel contributing to the conversation on a timely and critical issue: the campaign to recognize Gender Apartheid as a crime…
Activist LawyerEp 91: Becoming an Activist Lawyer: Top Tips From Our Podcast Guests
Join us on the latest episode of the Activist Lawyer podcast as our former co-host, Jack McClelland, calls into the studio to share his travel adventures and…
Activist LawyerEpisode 90: Daniel Machover
In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Daniel Machover from Hickman & Rose, one of the UK’s leading solicitors in inquests, public inquiry work, complex…
Activist LawyerEpisode 89: Franck Magennis
Sarah is joined by barrister Franck Magennis from Garden Court Chambers. Franck discusses UK asylum cases involving Palestinian applicants, his time working…
Activist LawyerEpisode 88: Miranda Cleland
We pick up our discussion on legal developments impacting Palestine as we are joined by Miranda Cleland in Washington DC. As advocacy officer with Defense for…
Activist LawyerEpisode 87: Wendy Joseph KC
In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC as she discusses her career in law, her role as a judge at the Old Bailey as well as her…
Activist LawyerEpisode 86: Marc Willers KC
In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by Marc Willers KC who specialises in environmental law and climate justice, planning law, administrative and public…
Activist LawyerEpisode 85: Martin McDonagh
In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by traveller activist and aspiring barrister, Martin McDonagh. Martin is currently furthering his career in law through…
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Episode 84: Activist Lawyer Update
In this week's episode, our host, Sarah Henry, shares the latest updates to our website, our call for blog submissions, the launch of our brand-new newsletter…