Thank you for joining us
in Manchester
It was a pleasure to bring together people responsible for the operational heartbeat of law firms at The Legal Heart Conference.
The day created a safe, peer-level space for open and honest discussion around how law firms actually run, particularly in micro to small practices of around 20 to 80 people.
The conversations reflected real operational realities, shared without hierarchy, judgement or selling, and reinforced the value of learning from one another.
Save the date
25th February 2027, Manchester
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Why The Legal Heart?
This is your invite into a room where you belong
Operational leaders shoulder invisible work: responsibility fatigue, decision load, isolation. This room is where those realities can be voiced and solved together.
Why now
In 2026 running a small firm means navigating people, process, compliance and wellbeing shifts simultaneously. This is a peer-led safe space.
Why The Legal Heart
We’re committed to psychological safety. We keep the room closed, the agenda honest, and the intent clean: no pitches, no ambush demos, no ego.
Who is this for?
- Practice Managers and Practice Directors
- Operations / Office Managers
- Directors running the business side
- Owner‑operators wearing multiple hats
What you'll experience in the room
Peer‑level conversation, not panels
Guided, candid dialogue that will resonate
Holistic view of running a firm
Full lens on the entire eco-system – Ops, people, systems, compliance, wellbeing
Practical takeaways
Tools, templates and actionable next steps you can apply the next working day
Sponsor presence, carefully held
Aligned supporters share learnings, knowledge and pragmatic actions – no demos, no awkward pitches
Conference 2026 - what we covered
- 9:00am
- Arrival, coffee and breakfast
Grab a pastry and cuppa, meet your peers and find your space.
- 10.00am
Welcome
Kirsty Pappin, Aries Legal Practice Management.
- 10.10am
Practice managers are the bridge in the coalface
Quick fire question round.
- 10.20am
Staying authentic and human
Authentic leadership and psychological safety for sustainable, high-performing legal practices.
Hannah Beko, Authentically Speaking
- 10.45am
Q&A: Absence management and tricky HR tasks
The stuff that keeps you awake rarely makes the agenda. Bring the questions you can’t ask anywhere else.
Helen Manson & Helen Kirk-Blythe, ComplexHR
- 11.10am
Quick wins using Copilot for your marketing and comms
A session about useful AI without the hype – leave with insights you can use the next day.
Rachel Booth & Christine Champion, Mighty Moxie Consulting
- 11.35am
Break
- 11.55am
Keynote - Lee Spencer
‘The Rowing Marine’ – one of the UK’s leading motivational public speakers.
- 12.50pm
Lunch
Sponsored by Employment Hero
- 1.40pm
True love with finance
Make finance feel human, accessible and useful – don’t fear the spreadsheet.
Tom Blandford, SurSum Advisory & Claire Ellis, JJ+H Accounting Services
- 2.05pm
Data never lies - except when it does
Learn how to use data to your advantage, avoiding the common pitfalls in analysing performance. Ensure that your small law firm relies on insight for decision making and not gut feel and guess work.
Graeme Hills, Aquarius Reporting
- 2.30pm
What’s hot in compliance, in 1, 2, 3
Remove the anxiety and defeat the overwhelm with this session that breaks compliance down into simple practical steps.
Kate Burt, HiveRisk
- 2.55pm
Break
- 3.20pm
External support, because you're worth it!
Interview-style presentation, where Kellie dives into how external support can truly elevate your law firm business.
Kellie Simpson, Kellie Simpson Business Support and Virtual Assistant
- 3.45pm
Keynote - Zoe Holland MBE
Zoe is Group Chief Commercial Officer at Fletchers Group, entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. A specialist in legal M&A and growth, she champions heart-led leadership, resilience and purpose-driven impact across the profession.
- 4.20pm
Closing remarks
Kirsty Pappin, Aries Legal Practice Management.
- 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Drinks & Networking
Sponsored by NetDocuments
- 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Gameshow Extravaganza
Sponsored by Smokeball
Gameshow Extravaganza!
Five fast-paced rounds!
- Our Survey Says - Guess the top answers from 100 people
- Spin the Wheel - Solve word puzzles, win points, take risks
- Higher or Lower - Classic card chaos
- Right on the Money - Price guessing meets teamwork
- Carrot in a Box - Bluffing, betrayal, and one very suspicious carrot
Brought to you by host Jimmy Donny Cosgrove 🎤 and sponsored by Smokeball.
Our Supporters
Our supporters are because they care about helping legal practice thrive. They are not there to sell. They share practical learnings only. No ambush flashy sales, no slide decks, no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this event salesy?
No. The room is intentionally vendor‑neutral. Sponsors support learning; they do not pitch.
Is it relevant for small firms?
The Legal Heart is shaped for the operational leaders of micro‑small law firms. Many of the firms in our community have between 20 and 80 people, often fewer. Sole practitioners and those from slightly larger firms are equally welcome. What matters is that you’re responsible for how a firm truly runs – this room is built with you in mind.
How is confidentiality handled?
Chatham House Rule. No recording. No names in public recaps.
How many seats are there?
Deliberately few. This is a limited ticket only – this is a chance to have real conversations.
What if I can no longer attend?
You may transfer your seat to a colleague who fits the criteria. Please let us know in advance.
Can I attend if I’m a vendor/consultant?
Ticket purchases should only be made by those that are employed in a law firm. If you are a legal sector supplier or consultant, please email us to discuss. We reserve the right to refund a ticket if purchased by anyone that is not employed by a law firm.
Is the Venue Accessible?
The venue is accessible. Please view more information here.
The Venue
- etc.venues, 11 Portland St, Manchester M1 3HU
