InLaws event 2025/2026
Event programme
Devonshires is pleased to present The InLaws 2025/26 Events Programme. Join our forum tailored to the needs of in-house lawyers. We host webinars, seminars, soft skills training sessions and the opportunity to meet and network in a social setting.
Upcoming events:
InLaws - Contract Update 2026
Tuesday 28 April 2026 | 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
In-house lawyers, start off your year with a practical webinar to hone the communication and influencing skills needed to make legal advice resonate beyond the legal team.
In-house counsel are required not only to translate complex legal issues into clear, commercial guidance for colleagues across the business, but also to persuade the wider organisation of the strategic value of legal input.
Led by experts in people skills, Herald Training, the Forum Theatre format will see the trainers act out realistic scenarios based on participant input, allowing groups to explore handling difficult interactions. Discussion will be encouraged to ensure a practical and engaging session.
Helen will cover:
- Negotiation and MOUs
- New twists on Last shot
- Ultimate guidance on hyperlinks and drop-down boxes
- Drafting tips on agreement to agree to make them enforceable
- Limiting liability through warranty drafting
- Super caps and the trap of the double indent
- Remedying (or not) repeated breach
- Clarity on holding someone harmless in indemnities
- Changing the no assignment boilerplate to avoid the latest trap
Navigating legal risk in disputes
Tuesday 05 May 2026 | 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Disputes can present complex challenges for in-house lawyers, particularly when balancing legal risk with commercial priorities. Experts from our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, Pauline Lépissier and Avary Patutama, will provide you with practical tools to identify, assess and manage legal risk allowing you to navigate disputes with confidence. We will draw on our experience to discuss considered approaches to decision making, cost control and how to achieve better outcomes for the business.
The future of mediation and ADR
Thursday 11 June 2026 | 14:00 - 17:00 | In-person networking event
Join us on Tuesday 30 June from 12:00 - 13:30 for an in-person InLaws coaching session with Harry Spurr, a highly accomplished specialist mediator, and Pauline Lépissier, a Partner in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team. This interactive session will explore practical approaches to achieving better outcomes in mediation. Drawing on conflict psychology theory and his experience handling hundreds of mediations across a wide range of disputes.
Sounding Boards
Heads of Legal have access to the Sounding Board. This is at no charge and would take the form of an in-depth chat with Consultant, Donna McCarthy, on structural issues you may be facing or major projects you want to implement. We can’t promise to have all the answers, but we can use our years of experience to help you find a solution to your issue.
Donna McCarthy has over 35 years’ experience, starting her career in-house as part of a local authority legal department, before working as a tenant advisor, joining Devonshires in 1999. As the former head of Housing Management & Property Litigation and Partner she has significant experience in delivering successful outcomes when managing teams, including tackling issues such as team structuring and streamlining workflows. She is a specialist housing management lawyer, covering all aspects of law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers, care and support providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including matters in the higher courts and judicial review actions. She also regularly advises on compliance with the Housing Ombudsman Code and has advised several social landlords in respect of Special Investigation Reports.
Donna is also happy to discuss any training needs you may have. She is an ILM accredited trainer and vastly experienced presenter, regularly speaking at events and conferences as well as presenting webinars and delivering training on a broad range of subjects. Recent examples include:
- Devonshires Renters’ Rights webinar series
- Speaking at the Supported Housing in Partnership (SHiP) Annual Conference
- Speaking at the Social Housing Law Association Annual Conference
- Presenting as part of a panel at the CIH ‘Choose Housing’ event
Additional benefits of joining InLaws:
- Free room hire for external meetings - subject to availability.
- Commercial Property legal updater.
Key contacts
Donna McCarthy
Consultant
Newsletter
Subscribe to receive regular insights and event invitations.
Contact us
Devonshires Solicitors LLP 30 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7DT
Follow us
