Space in the City® is a coaching psychology practice founded by Julia Robinson, based in the City of London and specialising in the legal sector.
Julia offers in-person executive coaching and bespoke facilitation rooted in psychology and management research.
About Julia
Julia is an executive coach and business psychologist. Her background spans private practice as a corporate lawyer, academia as a university law lecturer, and leadership as a Director of Professional Development at a global law firm.
Julia’s range of experiences give her a deep understanding of the commercial and cultural expectations in the legal sector.
Coaching for partners
While we support partners at all stages, Julia’s clients are most often in the second half of their partnership careers.
At this stage, they are adapting to the expectations that come with greater seniority while continuing to sustain a thriving practice. Sometimes they may also be navigating a personal challenge or setback.
Some clients are asked to take on leadership roles within their practice group, office or the wider firm, while others are thinking ahead to their eventual retirement from the partnership and considering what they want from the Next Stage® of their professional lives.
Coaching sessions take place in person, either in our clients’ offices or in our coaching space in Gray's Inn. The coaching is usually firm sponsored, but we also work directly with partners who are looking for a separate space in which to explore these transitions.
“Spending time with Julia provided me with powerful support and impetus at a critical time in my career when the demands and expectations of me had changed dramatically due to stepping into a management role. Julia helped me to take a step back, gain some valuable perspective, and reframe my professional purpose.”
“Julia is a brilliant coach, very calm and empathetic, yet also astute enough to notice when it is appropriate to challenge you or remind you of your goals in order to be of most help. Time spent with Julia is time well spent.”
“Julia is very attentive. I love her coaching style because she mixes being serious and at the same time adding a great sense of humour. Julia helped me understand what it was that made me feel blocked in certain situations. I feel more confident after being coached by Julia.”
Gray’s Inn coaching space
Research
Julia is actively engaged in research and co-authored an article exploring how trauma shows up in coaching and supervision, published in the December 2025 issue of the peer-reviewed BPS journal The Coaching Psychologist.
Her current research project is looking at how City law firm partners approach post-partnership professional life.
Bespoke facilitation
Julia designs and delivers bespoke facilitated learning sessions, as well as one-off engagements including practice group retreats and strategy sessions. She enjoys creating thoughtful, engaging experiences that combine relevant input with coaching-style enquiry, reflective activities and interaction.
“Huge thank you for all your efforts putting together the [programme name withheld] series – it’s genuinely been brilliant and given a real boost of energy and fresh thinking to the team!”
“Thanks so much for today’s session! It really resonated with me. It felt wonderful to know that the “struggles” are common, normal and felt by many.”
“Great session – really enjoyed the way Julia mediated conversation rather than instructing from a script.”
The City and our community
Space in the City has deep roots in the City of London. Julia is a Freeman of the City and active in the local community. She also serves as Co-Vice Chair of the City of London Law Society’s Training Committee.
We enjoy hosting in-person gatherings in historic and inspiring spaces across the City. These bring together our clients and supporters to hear more about our work and to create a deeper sense of community and connection.
