Unlocking Career Progression with Yindi Gesinde, Partner of Baker McKenzie | Black Lawyers Matter Podcast, Episode 1

Welcome to the Black Lawyers Matter Podcast, brought to you by The Stephen James Partnership and Black Lawyers Matter.

 

In this episode, your host Samuel Clague, CEO and Founder of The Stephen James Partnership, will be in conversation with Yindi Gesinde, Partner of the prestigious international Law firm, Baker McKenzie.

 

To quote Yindi “having a curious mind pays dividends”, so we hope this instalment ignites curiosity so you can reap the rewards!

 

Specialising in dispute resolution Yindi has climbed the corporate legal career ladder, working her way up to partner level. She has also been a very active member of a number of the firm's pro bono committees, as well as sitting as part of the race and ethnicity committee. 

 

In her conversation with Sam, Yindi talks through her legal career to date; from why she took the leap into law, the lowlights and highlights she’s encountered, to the people who have helped her along the way, it’s clear Yindi is ambitious and determined, but with plenty of sage advice.

 

Whether it’s determining the good advice from the bad, defining your career path or the importance of mentors, this episode is a must-listen-to for any young black professional in the legal sector, with insights for all within the legal landscape.

 

Time-stamped Agenda - 

 

00:57 - How did you get into law, Yindi?

02:45 - How did you find the first couple of years being a trainee solicitor versus your expectation when you went into it?

04:40 - I get a sense that you may have had client exposure early on; was that the case?

06:08 - Did you know where you wanted to go within the firm once you qualified, or was it a case that more exposure with your rotations shaped your decision making?

08:09 - Could you give an example of a setback and how you learnt from that?

11:09 - How do you “separate the wheat from the chaff” when it comes to advise?

12:39 - Can you give me a bit more of an understanding of where your career “north star” came into play?

14:38 - Can you pinpoint a career highlight?

18:14 - Where did your passion for diversity come from?

21:10 - Can you talk me through your first experience of mentorship?

23:55 - When do think is the best time in someone’s legal career to have a mentor?

24:39 - What would be the first piece of advice you’d give to your early-stage trainee or qualified lawyer self?

26:55 - Do you have a mentor/have mentors at the moment?

 

Connect with your host, Samuel Clague: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-clague-32911723/ 

Conntect with your guest. Yindi Gesinde: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yindi-gesinde/

 

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe for more and share with others in your network!

 

Explore more about The Stephen James Partnership here: https://thesjp.co.uk/

Learn about the Black Lawyers Matter mission here: https://blacklawyersmatter.co.uk/

And discover SJP's Search and Advisory arm here: https://stephenandjames.co.uk/