How to Be More Authentic in the Legal Field

Kyla Denanyoh
Apr 25, 2024
4 min read

Hannah Beko, a seasoned real estate lawyer and founder of Authentically Speaking, shares her journey of finding her authentic voice and helping other lawyers do the same. Through her coaching and training programs, Hannah empowers lawyers to navigate stress, burnout, and low self-esteem, encouraging them to explore diverse career paths and embrace their true selves in the legal profession. Join us as Hannah delves into her experiences and insights on personal growth and professional development in the legal field.

About This Episode

Background

Hannah Beko, a real estate lawyer based in the UK, has had a diverse and interesting career journey. With 17-18 years of experience in real estate law, Hannah's passion for property stems from her family's farming background in Cambridge. Growing up in a farming family with a strong connection to land, Hannah's interest in property was ingrained from a young age. Despite initially qualifying as a litigator, Hannah always knew she would end up in the property sector, reflecting her family's values and her own personal preferences for homes with land.

“I think I would have always ended up in property. That was always my view, even though I qualified as a litigator," shares Hannah Beko on You Are A Lawyer.

Hannah's career has evolved beyond traditional legal practice, as she now runs three businesses. In addition to her property law consultancy work, she founded Authentically Speaking in 2016 to train and coach lawyers. Furthermore, she became a co-director of a small law firm almost two years ago. Hannah's transition into coaching and training lawyers was driven by her desire to help others find fulfillment and happiness in their legal careers. Her multifaceted career and dedication to empowering lawyers to find their authentic voices highlight her commitment to making a positive impact in the legal profession.

Why Law School

Hannah chose to pursue a career in law at a young age due to her desire for a structured environment with a desk, briefcase, and computer. Despite not fully understanding what being a lawyer entailed at the time, Hannah's early inclination towards law was influenced by her family's background in farming and land ownership.

"Mine didn't say lawyer, but I didn't like any of the things that it threw out. So basically, I wanted a desk, a briefcase, and a computer," reflects Hannah Beko on Episode 138 of You Are a Lawyer.

Hannah's experience of choosing to become a lawyer at a young age, driven by a desire for a structured and professional environment, highlights the importance of early aspirations and interests in shaping one's career path. Her early fascination with the idea of being a lawyer eventually led her to pursue a career in law, specializing in real estate law, which was influenced by her family's connection to land ownership and farming. Hannah's journey into law showcases how early inclinations and family background can play a significant role in shaping one's career choices and aspirations.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

Hannah emphasized the importance of thinking outside the box and exploring various avenues beyond traditional legal practice. She highlighted that with the advent of platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and social media, law graduates can leverage these tools to diversify their career paths. Hannah encouraged new lawyers and law students to consider roles in training, teaching, coaching, mentoring, and other non-traditional legal fields. She emphasized that it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision and that individuals can blend legal practice with other interests or professions.

"There is so much scope these days that there wasn't, or we didn't think there was when I qualified 20 plus years ago. Absolutely anything, but yeah, think outside the box," expresses Hannah Beko on You Are a Lawyer.

This serves as a reminder that the possibilities are vast and diverse, urging aspiring lawyers to break free from conventional career trajectories and explore the multitude of opportunities available to them. By embracing innovation, creativity, and a willingness to venture beyond traditional legal roles, individuals with a law degree can carve out unique and fulfilling career paths that align with their passions and aspirations.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Authentically Speaking is a business founded by Hannah Beko, a real estate lawyer with a passion for helping other lawyers find their authentic voice and navigate the challenges of the legal profession. Through training, coaching, and public speaking, Hannah aims to empower lawyers to be true to themselves and thrive in their careers. The name "Authentically Speaking" reflects Hannah's personal journey of finding her authentic voice and silencing the self-doubt that often plagues legal professionals. By sharing her experiences and insights, Hannah helps lawyers improve their mental health, well-being, and overall happiness in the legal field.

“It doesn't have to be one path or the other. It can be a bit of that path and a bit of something else” shares Hannah Beko in Episode 138 of You Are a Lawyer.

Hannah's own journey of running multiple businesses alongside her legal career serves as an inspiration for new lawyers and law students to explore different avenues and embrace the possibilities beyond traditional legal practice. Through Authentically Speaking, Hannah encourages lawyers to think outside the box and consider the multitude of paths available to them with a law degree.