Mishcon de Reya page structure
Site header
Menu
Main content section

The GC Academy

An accelerated learning programme for GCs

Are you looking to shortly move into the position of GC?  Have you recently been appointed as GC for the first time? Or are you already a GC and want to feel more equipped for the role?

Join the GC Academy

A practical learning programme designed to equip you with the tools, skills and network to manage a legal function and develop your leadership skills. The programme is tailored for those who want to upskill in areas which are critical to take their career to the next stage and effectively manage a legal function. This will also create a vital cohort of likeminded individuals who can troubleshoot problems with structured group coaching.

We will utilise the Mishcon de Reya legal faculty, executive coaches, leading GC’s and our Mishcon Academy learning experts.

What is the GC Academy?

The GC Academy offers a comprehensive and interactive learning experience across four inter‑linked modules. In total the programme will stretch across four months with a half-day learning hosted in London each month. Each module is structured as follows and commitment will be a full day per month, broken up into the following:
 

1.  Pre-reading and study materials per module.

2. A live half-day module in-person in London.

 

3. Group coaching session to embed learning.

4. A follow-up practical exercise to help put learning into practice.

Modules

Delivered in person, the interaction session covers four areas.

1. Financial literacy and the key metrics to measure success

2. The role of legal ops to improve the delivery of legal services 

3. LegalTech for strategic impact

4. Becoming a leader

1. Financial literacy and the key metrics to measure success

This module enhances your financial literacy and ensures that you can demonstrate how the legal team adds value to the company.

You will learn to:

  • Understand the P&L and Balance Sheet of your business.
  • Become familiar with the financial language surrounding financial statements.
  • Gain insights from a CEO/CFO about how they measure legal performance and which metrics they prioritise.
  • Understand and review your own Company’s financial statements.

3. LegalTech for strategic impact

This module helps you identify where technology can drive strategic impact and the confidence to select and implement new tech-enabled ways of working in your organisation.

You will learn to:

  • Deepen your understanding of the LegalTech landscape, including the increasing use of AI in legal, and the different ways that these technologies are being used.
  • Prioritise challenges worth solving and assess the real need for technology solutions, through an enhanced appreciation for its capabilities and limitations.
  • Lead your organisation through adoption and change, engaging the right vendors for the right challenges, driving new ways of working and measuring success.

4. Becoming a leader

This module supports you in shaping your leadership style as you transition into a senior leadership role.

You will learn to:

  • Explore your individual leadership preferences and reflect on how to interact with others.
  • Manage time effectively to prioritise and action your leadership style.
  • Link board strategy to day-to-day operations, acting as the axis and translator of legal strategy.
  • Prepare a Personal Progress Plan outlining why, what, and how to implement your own leadership approach.

Testimonials

“Joining this programme is about sharpening my approach, carving out time to explore areas where my experience is limited (or non-existent), learning from others who are at different stages of the journey, and building a network of like-minded colleagues who are dealing with similar issues and uncertainties for practical and moral support.”
Heather Panton, Labrys

“Being a GC, particularly as a sole lawyer or a small team, can be a lonely gig. It is truly invaluable and a privilege to be able to share experiences and tips with, and learn from, amazing lawyers in exciting companies doing a similar role and facing the same challenges on a daily basis.”
Imran Bhatia, Westmont Hospitality

In partnership with...

Flex Legal

Flex Legal started with a simple question: what if busy legal teams could instantly connect with the lawyers and paralegals they need? Fast forward seven years, Flex is doing exactly that, and is now one of the UK’s fastest growing companies.

Visit Flex Legal

Flex Legal Logo

MDR Lab

Our mission is to drive change in the legal industry by bridging the gap between law and technology. We exist to help legal entrepreneurs build better products and get on the path to product-market-fit.

Visit MDR Lab

 

MDR Lab logo

Who leads the programme?

Mary Bonsor

Founder, Flex Legal

Dan Sinclair

Partner (non-lawyer), Strategy and Growth

Ashley Williams

Partner

Hugh Tebay

Partner

Toby McCrindle

Partner

Patrick Connolly

Academy Director

Katie Allen | Mishcon de Reya
Christian Papworth

Academy Manager

Register your interest

To register your interest and receive booking details for the next programme, please complete the form below. Each programme is limited to 25 participants to ensure a personalised and focused educational experience and we currently run two programmes per year, in January and September. For further dates, please see the attached brochure. The cost of each programme is £5,000 plus VAT per person, but this can be used as credit with Mishcon de Reya or Flex Legal for the duration of the programme.

Subscribe to our mailings

Keep up to date with news, events, publications and briefings.

Subscribe
How can we help you?
Help

How can we help you?

Subscribe: I'd like to keep in touch

If your enquiry is urgent please call +44 20 3321 7000

I'm a client

I'm looking for advice

Something else