Jonathan McKeown

The solicitor and business owner, who founded and chairs Northern Ireland’s busiest personal injury law firm, appears on the latest episode of the Activist Lawyer podcast, which he co-founded.

Host Sarah Henry speaks to Mr McKeown about mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession, drawing on his personal experiences both before and during his years of legal practice.

He talks about how his mental health issues were compounded by an unsuccessful disciplinary complaint brought against him and his colleagues by the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Ms Henry and Mr McKeown explore the barriers that keep legal professionals from seeking help, and the critical role of employers and leadership in creating safer, more inclusive workplaces.

“This is about more than one person’s story — it’s about changing the conversation within the legal profession,” Ms Henry said.

“We need to normalise seeking help, embracing balance, and supporting one another.”