What does it take to lead a global law firm's London office through a period of unprecedented change and still put people first? In this episode, we sit down with Kathleen Harris, London Managing Partner at Arnold & Porter, who shares how her journey from barrister to senior civil servant to managing partner has shaped a leadership philosophy built on merit, openness, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Kathleen Harris has never taken the conventional route. A barrister by training who went on to hold senior roles at the Serious Fraud Office and the Attorney General's Office, she joined Arnold & Porter and rose to become London Managing Partner stepping into the role just as COVID reshaped the profession. In this candid conversation, Kathleen talks about what drew her to leadership (spoiler: it started with her Saturday job), why she believes the best leaders are the ones you don't always see, and how she navigates the toughest parts of the rolefrom saying no to supporting colleagues through personal challenges. She also shares her perspective on diversity in the legal profession, why Arnold & Porter has held firm on its founding principles despite shifts in the US landscape, and the advice she'd give to anyone starting out in law today.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is about creating the environment, not controlling the outcome. Kathleen believes you never get the best from people by putting them under pressure to perform you get it by gently creating the space where they can thrive.

• Learn from every role model – good and bad. Rather than seeking one perfect mentor, Kathleen credits a series of people throughout her career, including those whose style she wouldn't want to replicate, for shaping the leader she's become.

• The hardest part of leadership is the invisible work. From supporting colleagues through personal difficulties to making strategic decisions you can't fully explain, much of what a managing partner does goes unseen and that's how it should be.

• Diversity should be lived values, not a policy on a shelf. Arnold & Porter's commitment to inclusivity is a founding principle, not a response to trends. Kathleen co-chairs the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and believes real progress comes from creating cultures where the best people can succeed, regardless of background.

• Be the best version of you. Kathleen's consistent advice to aspiring lawyers: focus on your own abilities rather than the competition, match your talent to your ambition, and never underestimate the importance of hard work, dedication, and genuine passion.