Afleveringen
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Dana Altunisi, Future Trainee Solicitor at Dentons — From Professional Ballet to Securing a Training Contract
In this episode, Dana Altunisi shares her journey securing a training contract at Dentons, explaining how she navigated the solicitor vs barrister decision, leveraged her international background and found ways to stand out in one of the most competitive graduate recruitment markets.
Dana reflects on entering law without always knowing commercial law was the right path. Through university, mini pupillage and vacation schemes, she gradually realised that the intellectually challenging, collaborative and international nature of commercial law was a far better fit for her personality and long-term ambitions.
The conversation explores why she ultimately chose the solicitor route after completing seven mini pupillages. Dana compares life at the Bar with working in commercial law firms, discussing the importance of teamwork, cross-border work and building long-term professional relationships.
Dana also shares practical advice for students deciding between becoming a solicitor or barrister, explaining why speaking to junior lawyers, gaining real work experience and understanding the realities of both application processes is far more valuable than relying on common misconceptions.
The episode dives into the differences between mini pupillage and vacation schemes, highlighting how the two experiences develop different skills and why vacation schemes provide a much broader insight into life inside a commercial law firm.
A major focus of the discussion is standing out as an international candidate. Dana explains how speaking Arabic, English, French and Spanish became much more than a line on her CV by demonstrating cultural awareness, adaptability and her ambition to build a future career working across the Middle East.
The conversation also explores how candidates can differentiate themselves during applications. Rather than focusing solely on legal knowledge, Dana explains why her background as a professional ballet dancer became one of the strongest parts of her interviews, allowing her to demonstrate discipline, resilience and performing under pressure in a memorable way.
Dana also shares detailed insights into Dentons' direct training contract assessment centre, explaining why she preferred the assessment centre format over vacation schemes and offering practical preparation strategies, including building a master document of competency questions, learning commercial terminology and practising interview answers out loud.
Finally, Dana reflects on the inevitable rejection that comes with applying for training contracts. She encourages aspiring lawyers to accept setbacks as part of the process, remain resilient and remember that success often comes after many unsuccessful applications.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Dana Altunisi
01:00 Why Commercial Law?
02:00 Solicitor vs Barrister
03:00 Seven Mini Pupillages Later
04:00 Mini Pupillages vs Vacation Schemes
05:00 Using Languages to Stand Out
06:00 Building an International Career
07:00 Professional Ballet & Transferable Skills
08:00 Standing Out in Applications
09:00 Dentons' Direct Assessment Centre
10:00 Preparing for Assessment Centres
11:00 Commercial Awareness & Technical Questions
12:00 Practising Interview Technique
13:00 Dealing with Rejection
14:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers -
Heidi Daryanani, Future Trainee Solicitor at RPC — On Paralegal Experience, Training Contracts and Standing Out in Applications
In this episode, Heidi shares her journey from growing up between India, Ireland and the UK to securing a training contract at RPC, offering practical advice for aspiring lawyers navigating the increasingly competitive route into commercial law.
Heidi reflects on discovering commercial law through years of study and practical experience rather than following a predetermined plan. She explains why spending time inside law firms, working alongside lawyers and reflecting on what genuinely interests you is often the best way to determine whether a legal career is the right fit.
The conversation explores Heidi's experiences working as a paralegal at both a leading US law firm and a specialist human rights practice. She discusses working on the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, helping prepare witness questions and submissions, before moving into high-value international arbitration and complex commercial litigation at a US firm.
Heidi explains why paralegal experience can provide far more than legal knowledge. From drafting documents and managing clients to understanding billing, communication and the commercial realities of legal practice, she highlights how these experiences build confidence long before starting a training contract.
A major focus of the episode is the competitive paralegal job market. Heidi shares the challenges of applying after graduation, the importance of persistence and how working with recruitment agencies, remaining open-minded and being willing to start in document review helped launch her legal career.
The discussion also explores how candidates can use paralegal experience effectively during training contract applications. Heidi explains how she linked her practical experience to the firm's strengths, demonstrated genuine interest in litigation and arbitration, and used conversations with trainees and recent judgments to show commercial awareness and preparation.
The conversation offers valuable insights into how law firms assess candidates beyond academic performance. Heidi explains why understanding how firms operate as businesses, appreciating client relationships and recognising the commercial pressures faced by lawyers helped strengthen both her applications and interviews.
Throughout the episode, Heidi emphasises the importance of resilience during the application process. She discusses how rejection is an inevitable part of pursuing a training contract and why candidates should focus on objective self-improvement rather than assuming every rejection reflects their ability.
Finally, Heidi shares practical advice for aspiring lawyers: stay persistent, keep building experience wherever possible, remain open to unexpected opportunities and remember that it only takes one firm to recognise your potential.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Heidi Daryanani
01:00 Why Commercial Law?
02:00 Working as a Paralegal
03:00 The COVID-19 Inquiry Experience
04:00 Human Rights vs US Law Firms
05:00 Skills You Gain as a Paralegal
06:00 Finding Your First Paralegal Role
07:00 Recruitment Agencies & Document Review
08:00 Standing Out in Applications
09:00 Using Paralegal Experience in Interviews
10:00 Litigation, Arbitration & Commercial Awareness
11:00 Understanding Law Firms as Businesses
12:00 Building Practical Legal Skills
13:00 Dealing with Rejection & Staying Resilient
14:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Yusuf Serang, Future Trainee Solicitor at Fieldfisher — From India to a Training Contract in the UK
In this episode, Yusuf shares his inspiring journey from Mumbai to securing a training contract at Fieldfisher, offering practical advice for aspiring lawyers on networking, academic success and standing out in competitive applications.
Yusuf reflects on moving to the UK as an international student to study law at Swansea University and explains how he approached university with an open mind, exploring different areas of legal practice before discovering that commercial law best matched his interests in solving business problems and helping clients achieve their objectives.
The conversation explores how gaining experience at a high street firm, an international in-house legal team and across different commercial practice areas helped him refine his career goals and develop a genuine understanding of what commercial lawyers actually do.
Yusuf also discusses the challenges of building a professional network from scratch in a new country. From travelling across the UK to attend networking events to finding mentors and even securing legal work experience through conversations at his part-time job, he explains why curiosity and consistently asking questions opened doors throughout his career.
A major focus of the episode is academic excellence. Yusuf explains how a chance conversation during his first year at university transformed his mindset and ultimately led him to graduate top of his cohort with the highest overall average. He breaks down the four key ingredients of a first-class law essay and shares practical advice that any law student can apply to improve their grades.
The conversation also explores interview preparation, with Yusuf explaining why self-awareness became his greatest advantage. Rather than memorising model answers, he reflects on how analysing every work experience, identifying lessons learned and understanding his own strengths enabled him to answer unexpected interview questions with confidence.
Yusuf also challenges one of the biggest myths surrounding training contract applications—that only legal work experience matters. Drawing on his experience working in a timber yard, he explains how transferable skills such as communication, attention to detail, organisation and problem solving can be just as valuable when presented effectively in interviews.
Throughout the episode, Yusuf emphasises the importance of reflecting on experiences rather than simply listing responsibilities, showing how any role can demonstrate commercial awareness, resilience and client-focused thinking.
Finally, Yusuf shares practical advice for aspiring lawyers, encouraging students to stay curious, take every opportunity available, build meaningful relationships and remember that consistent self-reflection is often the difference between a good application and an exceptional one.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Yusuf Serang
01:00 Why Commercial Law?
03:00 From India to Swansea University
04:00 Building a Network from Scratch
05:00 Finding Mentors & Work Experience
06:00 What Yusuf Would Do Differently
07:00 Graduating Top of His Cohort
09:00 The Four Ingredients of a First-Class Essay
10:30 Developing Critical Analysis
11:00 Self-Awareness for Interview Success
12:30 Preparing for Assessment Centres
13:00 Why Non-Legal Experience Matters
14:00 Transferable Skills from a Part-Time Job
15:00 Turning Timber Sales into Interview Success
16:00 Practical Advice for Aspiring Lawyers
17:00 Final Reflections -
In this episode, Ian Bagshaw shares his remarkable career journey from accidental lawyer to Managing Partner of Perkins Coie London, offering a fascinating perspective on how technology, talent and culture are reshaping the legal profession.
Ian reflects on working his way into law through an unexpected route and beginning his career at Eversheds before becoming one of the youngest partners at Clifford Chance. He went on to lead Private Equity at Linklaters, serve as Global Head of Private Equity at White & Case and after four years outside private practice, returned to launch Perkins Coie’s London office.
The conversation explores the evolution of private equity over the last three decades, from management buyouts to today's private capital market and how client relationships and business development have always been at the heart of successful legal careers.
Ian explains why he believes the future belongs to lawyers who build trust rather than simply provide technical advice, arguing that AI will make legal expertise more accessible while making judgement, relationships and commercial awareness even more valuable.
A major focus of the episode is Perkins Coie's innovative approach to training junior lawyers. Ian discusses the firm's Legal Business Analyst programme, which accelerates qualification while teaching not only legal skills but also the business of law, client service and relationship building from day one.
The discussion challenges many traditional assumptions about legal training. Rather than expecting trainees to learn through repetition and low-level tasks, Ian argues that simulation, on-demand learning and AI-powered coaching can dramatically accelerate development and create more confident, capable lawyers.
He shares how Perkins Coie is using technology to transform legal education, from gamified learning platforms and virtual internships to AI avatars that coach communication, emotional intelligence and business skills. Drawing comparisons with professional sport and aviation, Ian questions why lawyers should continue learning primarily "on the job" when other industries rely heavily on simulation and structured training.
The conversation also explores how AI is changing legal practice beyond document review. Ian explains why the biggest opportunity is not simply using tools like Harvey or Legora but redesigning legal workflows, creating scalable playbooks and removing repetitive tasks so lawyers can focus on higher-value client relationships and strategic advice.
Beyond private practice, Ian discusses his time helping build Zero Gravity, the social mobility organisation founded on the principle that "talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't." He explains how technology is being used to create virtual internships that could give thousands of aspiring lawyers access to meaningful legal work experience regardless of their background.
Throughout the episode, Ian returns to a central theme: that the future of law belongs to firms which prioritise talent development, embrace innovation and create cultures where collaboration, coaching and continuous learning replace hierarchy and repetition.
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Ian Bagshaw
01:00 An Accidental Route Into Law
02:30 From Eversheds to Magic Circle
04:00 Discovering Private Equity
05:30 Cold Calling & Early Business Development
07:00 Why Client Relationships Still Matter
09:00 Building a Network & Origination
12:00 The Importance of Being Relevant
13:00 Life After Big Law
14:00 Launching Perkins Coie London
17:00 Building a Startup Culture Inside a Law Firm
18:30 The Legal Business Analyst Programme
21:00 Teaching the Business of Law
24:00 AI, Sales & The Future Lawyer
27:00 Innovation Beyond Harvey & Legora
30:00 Productising Legal Services
33:00 Why NDAs Shouldn't Take Hours
36:00 Client Experience Starts With Talent Experience
38:00 Rethinking Junior Lawyer Training
40:00 Simulators vs Learning on Live Matters
42:00 Gamified Learning & Virtual Training
44:00 AI Avatars & Emotional Intelligence Coaching
47:00 Why Traditional Training Is Changing
48:00 Measuring Talent Instead of Attrition
50:00 Homegrown Lawyers vs Buying Talent
52:00 Building Zero Gravity
54:00 Social Mobility & Legal Careers
55:00 Virtual Internships for Thousands of Students
57:00 The Future of Legal Education -
In this episode, Catherine Casazza shares her remarkable journey from aspiring actor to senior legal counsel at Fidelity International, offering an honest look at life across private practice, international opportunities and the investment management industry.
Catherine reflects on growing up in Rhode Island before heading to the University of Southern California, initially pursuing acting before discovering mock trial and later the law. After graduating, she worked as a paralegal at Davis Polk in New York, where she was unexpectedly thrown into the world of derivatives and structured products.
The conversation explores her experiences at the SEC, Cahill Gordon & Reindel and Sidley Austin, including relocating to Sydney to practise US capital markets law abroad. Catherine shares what it was really like working in offices overseas, balancing demanding workloads with the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures.
Catherine discusses joining Kirkland & Ellis and transitioning from representing banks and financing sources to advising private equity-backed issuers. She reflects candidly on why she decided private practice was no longer the right fit and how she knew it was time to move in-house.
A major focus of the episode is her current role at Fidelity International. Catherine provides a fascinating insight into life as buy-side counsel, sitting directly on the trading floor and advising investment teams on debt investments, high-yield bonds and restructurings.
The discussion highlights how in-house lawyers often move beyond black-letter law to provide practical, risk-based guidance to internal stakeholders.
Catherine also reflects on the cultural differences between private practice and in-house roles, including abandoning the billable hour, adapting to hot-desking and learning to thrive in a collaborative environment where colleagues become both teammates and internal clients.
The conversation explores how AI is changing legal practice, with Catherine sharing how she uses Microsoft Copilot and Harvey AI in her day-to-day work. From drafting emails and improving clarity to reviewing lengthy offering memoranda, she explains how these tools are enhancing efficiency while raising important questions about training the next generation of lawyers.
Beyond her legal career, Catherine discusses co-founding Muses in the City, a network bringing together women across London's professional community through arts, culture and heritage experiences. She reflects on the importance of finding your tribe, creating leadership opportunities outside the office and building meaningful relationships through shared interests.
Finally, Catherine shares thoughtful advice for aspiring lawyers and trainees: stay curious, avoid rigid career plans, embrace opportunities when they arise and approach networking as an extension of friendship rather than a transactional exercise.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Catherine Casazza & Her Route Into Law
01:00 From Acting to Political Science
02:00 Working at Davis Polk as a Paralegal
03:00 Discovering Derivatives & Structured Products
04:00 Studying for the LSAT & Cornell Law School
05:00 The US Route to Qualification Explained
06:00 Summer Associateships & The SEC
08:00 Mock Trial, Acting & Communication Skills
10:00 Early Career Lessons in Authenticity
13:00 Moving to Sydney with Sidley Austin
15:00 Life in a US Satellite Office Abroad
18:00 Returning to New York
19:00 Relocating to London & Joining Kirkland
21:00 Transitioning from Sell Side to Buy Side
22:00 Moving In-House at Fidelity International
23:00 Life as Buy-Side Counsel
24:00 Understanding High-Yield Bonds
26:00 Investor Protections & Covenants Explained
28:00 Trading Floors vs Law Firms
30:00 Building Relationships with Internal Clients
33:00 The Benefits of Going In-House
35:00 Commercial Advice vs Black Letter Law
39:00 Risk Tolerance & Business Judgement
42:00 AI, Copilot & Harvey in Legal Practice
46:00 The Future of Junior Lawyer Training
52:00 Muses in the City & Leadership Outside Work
56:00 Advice for Trainees & Young Lawyers
59:00 Networking as Friendship
01:01:00 Awards, Recognition & Giving Back
01:03:00 What's Next for Catherine? -
In this episode, Eleanor Wilson, associate at Mishcon de Reya specialising in intellectual property litigation, shares her unconventional route into law and explains how an early fascination with copyright and creativity led her into the world of IP litigation.
Ellie reflects on discovering intellectual property law while still at school through literature, theatre and music, including negotiating copyright permissions for a youth theatre production and later developing a deep interest in how law protects creative works and innovation.
The conversation explores her non-linear career path through academia, policy and legal practice, including working at the Law Commission of England and Wales on intellectual property reform before qualifying as a solicitor.
Ellie discusses the importance of staying open-minded early in your career, trying different practice areas and pursuing genuine interests rather than simply following traditional legal career paths.
Ellie also shares the unusual story of how helping a family member with a motorcycle-related IP dispute ultimately led to her securing a training contract at a specialist boutique IP firm in Leeds.
The conversation explores the differences between working in a small boutique firm, a major US law firm and a UK international firm, including the trade-offs between responsibility, scale of work, culture and work-life balance.
The episode also provides a fascinating insight into the breadth of intellectual property law, from fashion and music to food, software, trademarks, patents and confidential information disputes.
Ellie discusses some of the major cases she has worked on, including the high-profile trademark dispute between Adidas and fashion designer Thom Browne involving stripe branding and trademark validity.
The conversation explores how intellectual property law affects industries people may not immediately associate with IP, including food and drink, luxury brands, retail, technology and pharmaceuticals.
Ellie also explains concepts including passing off, geographical indications and trade secrets, while discussing famous examples involving champagne, halloumi, oat milk and even lemon-shaped juice bottles.
A major focus of the discussion is AI and legal technology, including the growing disputes surrounding AI training data, copyright ownership and the future regulation of generative AI systems.
Ellie shares her perspective on how lawyers are actually using AI tools in practice today, including document comparison, proofreading and research assistance, while warning against over-reliance on AI-generated writing and applications.
The episode also explores blockchain technology, NFTs and the potential future role of distributed ledgers in recording ownership and protecting intellectual property rights.
Finally, Ellie discusses her pro bono work supporting small businesses and students through legal clinics, reflects on the importance of clear communication in legal advice and shares advice for aspiring lawyers on authenticity, curiosity and finding the right career path.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Eleanor Wilson & Her Route Into IP Law
01:00 Discovering Copyright Through Dickens & Theatre
02:00 Negotiating Copyright Permissions at 17
03:00 Policy, Academia & The Law Commission
04:00 Keeping an Open Mind Early in Your Career
06:00 Working at the Law Commission
07:00 Unjustified Threats & IP Enforcement
09:00 The Motorcycle Dispute That Led to a Training Contract
11:00 Publishing Legal Writing & Building a Profile
14:00 Training at a Boutique IP Firm in Leeds
16:00 Moving to Kirkland & Ellis
17:00 US Law Firm Culture & High Performance Expectations
18:00 Joining Mishcon de Reya
19:00 Major IP Litigation & Confidential Information Cases
20:00 Adidas vs Thom Browne Explained
22:00 Fashion, Branding & Trademark Disputes
23:00 Why Food Law is Full of IP Issues
24:00 Champagne, Halloumi & Oat Milk Disputes
26:00 Patent Litigation & International Enforcement
29:00 AI, Copyright & Training Data Disputes
32:00 Blockchain, NFTs & Ownership Verification
35:00 Evergreening, Patents & Pharmaceutical IP
39:00 AI Tools in Legal Practice
42:00 Pro Bono Work & Supporting Small Businesses
44:00 Giving Clear Advice to Clients
46:00 Final Reflections & What’s Next -
In this episode, Tristan Dollie, partner in Brown Rudnick’s special situations team, explains what “special situations” actually means in practice and why some of the most interesting deals in the market sit outside conventional legal structures.
Tristan breaks down the three broad categories of special situations work and explains how his team combines legal expertise with investment banking and commercial advisory experience to help clients structure and execute unconventional transactions.
The conversation explores the types of clients Brown Rudnick works with, including high net worth individuals, family offices, entrepreneurs and opportunistic investment funds, as well as how these relationships differ from working with traditional institutional clients.
Tristan shares insights into how the firm sources work and develops client relationships, including travelling internationally to meet investors in places like Monaco and Dubai and why face-to-face interaction remains essential in a relationship-driven market.
The episode dives into how special situations lawyers often go beyond purely legal work — sourcing opportunities, introducing equity partners, speaking to lenders and helping clients identify off-market assets and investment opportunities.
Tristan explains how this approach differs from the traditional image of transactional law and why entrepreneurial thinking, commercial awareness and creativity are becoming increasingly valuable skills within modern legal practice.
Tristan reflects on the unpredictability of deals in the special situations world, sharing examples of transactions that evolved completely differently from how they were originally structured and why adaptability is essential when operating in this environment.
Tristan also discusses what makes a successful special situations lawyer, including curiosity, comfort with ambiguity and the ability to think creatively across multiple disciplines rather than simply applying standard precedents.
The conversation then turns to broader market trends, including the growing investor interest in healthcare assets, care homes and alternative real estate investments, as well as the evolving future of offices, retail and mixed-use developments.
Tristan shares insights into how shopping centres and retail assets are adapting post-COVID, including the increasing focus on entertainment, food and beverage offerings and experiential destinations rather than traditional retail alone.
Finally, Tristan reflects on the changing nature of legal careers, why some of the most interesting opportunities exist outside traditional law firm structures and how young lawyers can differentiate themselves through commercial thinking and relationship building.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Tristan Dollie & Brown Rudnick
01:00 What is a Special Situations Team?
02:00 Complex Transactions, Distress & Litigation-Linked Deals
03:00 Working with Difficult Jurisdictions & Sanctions Issues
04:00 How Clients Are Sourced
05:00 Monaco, Dubai & Relationship-Driven Business Development
06:00 High Net Worth Individuals vs Institutional Clients
08:00 Bringing Additional Value Beyond Legal Advice
10:00 Sourcing Deals, Assets & Financing Opportunities
12:00 Lawyers Acting Like Investment Bankers
13:00 Entrepreneurial Law Firms vs Traditional Models
14:00 Brown Rudnick’s Approach to Dealmaking
15:00 What Makes a Good Special Situations Lawyer?
17:00 Why Curiosity & Creativity Matter
18:00 Working with Ultra High Net Worth Clients
20:00 How Different These Transactions Really Are
21:00 A Real Deal That Completely Changed Structure
23:00 Flexibility, Negotiation & Commercial Thinking
24:00 Hiring Lawyers from Non-Traditional Backgrounds
25:00 Market Trends: Healthcare & Care Homes
26:00 Retail, Offices & Alternative Asset Classes
27:00 E-Gaming, Shopping Centres & Experiential Retail
28:00 Why Retail Isn’t Dead
29:00 Final Reflections & Career Advice -
Mark Stephens, Partner at Howard Kennedy — On Human Rights, Creative Law and Driving Social Change
In this episode, Mark Stephens, partner at Howard Kennedy, shares his unconventional journey into law, from growing up around the music industry to founding his own law firm at just 24 years old.
Mark explains how his early interest in art, media and culture led him to specialise in areas where law intersects with politics, reputation, freedom of expression and public pressure. He has built a career focused on solving difficult and often unconventional problems.
He reflects on setting up Stephens Innocent as a young lawyer, the realities of building a law firm from scratch and why advocacy experience in the magistrates’ courts became foundational to his development as a litigator and strategist.
Mark also discusses his approach to legal innovation, including working across multiple practice areas rather than remaining confined to narrow specialisms. He explains why many of the most interesting and impactful legal problems sit between traditional legal disciplines.
The episode dives into some of the strategic litigation and human rights cases Mark has worked on throughout his career, including cases involving miners’ rights, LGBTQ+ rights in Botswana, child marriage protections in India and freedom of expression matters involving authoritarian regimes.
The conversation also explores Mark’s work in media law, public commentary and television appearances, including how legal communication has changed over the decades and why making the law accessible to the public remains critically important.
A major part of the discussion focuses on cultural property and repatriation disputes, including the Parthenon Marbles, Benin Bronzes and other artefacts removed during the colonial era. Mark explains the legal, moral and political arguments surrounding repatriation and why attitudes within major institutions are gradually changing.
Mark also discusses modern geopolitical challenges, including authoritarianism, international law, freedom of speech, crypto funding in politics and the risks posed by social media algorithms and AI-driven information systems.
Finally, Mark reflects on the future of the rule of law, the responsibilities of lawyers in defending democratic institutions and why intellectual curiosity, adaptability and moral conviction remain essential qualities for the next generation of lawyers.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 How Mark Was “Tricked” Into Law
02:00 Founding a Law Firm at 24
03:00 Art Law, Media and Creative Industries
05:00 Early Advocacy Experience in Court
07:00 Why Young Lawyers Need Broad Experience
08:00 First Court Appearances & Learning Advocacy
10:00 Cookie Cutter Lawyers vs Legal Innovation
12:00 Strategic Litigation & Shaping the Law
15:00 Working with John Mortimer & Media Appearances
18:00 High Profile Cases vs Impact Cases
20:00 Miners’ Rights & Margaret Thatcher Era Litigation
21:00 Human Rights Work in Botswana & India
25:00 Law, Morality and Social Change
27:00 Big Law, Salary Culture & Career Satisfaction
30:00 International Broadcasting & Iran International
32:00 Cross-Border Litigation & International Law
35:00 Working with Courts, Judges & Legal Reform
40:00 Howard Kennedy & Building a Modern Firm
45:00 Cultural Property & The Parthenon Marbles
55:00 Media, LinkedIn & Public Commentary
01:08:00 Crypto, Politics & Influence Campaigns
01:12:00 AI, Algorithms & Critical Thinking
01:14:00 Current Human Rights Cases & Final Reflections -
In this episode, Tim Foden, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner in London, shares his unconventional journey from a blue-collar upbringing in Philadelphia to becoming a leading international arbitration lawyer working on high-stakes disputes around the world.
Tim discusses his early career experiences, including working in the mailroom at Sullivan & Cromwell while at university, gaining exposure to law firm life before even qualifying, and later developing hands-on advocacy skills as an insurance defence litigator arguing cases in US courts almost immediately after being called to the bar.
He reflects on the challenges of breaking into Big Law after initially pursuing public interest law, and how roles in the US federal courts helped him build core skills in legal writing, advocacy and international disputes.
He now practises at Boies Schiller Flexner, a disputes-only firm founded by David Boies, Jonathan Schiller and Donald Flexner, where he focuses on international arbitration and investor-state disputes.
Tim’s practice centres on representing companies whose investments have been interfered with by foreign governments, often involving disputes under bilateral investment treaties and proceedings before World Bank arbitration bodies. His work spans regions including Africa, the Americas, Australia and Central Europe, often involving politically sensitive and high-risk situations.
A significant part of the conversation focuses on career development — from mastering the fundamentals of drafting and legal analysis to building long-term client relationships. Tim shares candid insights into business development, emphasising that trust, authenticity and consistency matter far more than superficial networking.
He also discusses the importance of autonomy in legal careers, how building a personal client base can transform both professional and personal life and why adaptability is essential in a rapidly changing global legal landscape.
Finally, Tim offers practical advice for junior lawyers: focus on mastering your craft, develop genuine relationships early in your career and understand that long-term success in law requires a combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness and human skills.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Tim Foden: Career Overview
02:00 Qualifying in the US & Move to London
03:30 Early Career: Mailroom at Sullivan & Cromwell
07:30 First Legal Roles & Courtroom Experience
10:00 Public Interest Law & Career Pivot
13:00 Federal Court Experience & Legal Writing
14:30 Joining Crowell & Moring
16:00 Moving into International Arbitration
17:30 Move to London & Allen & Overy
20:00 Training, Structure & Learning English Law
23:30 Move to Quinn Emanuel
25:00 Business Development & Client Relationships
26:30 Launching LALIVE London Office
27:30 Joining Boies Schiller Flexner
29:00 Disputes-Only Model & Trial Strategy
32:00 What is Investor-State Arbitration?
34:00 Global Practice & Client Base
36:00 Arbitration vs Litigation & Transparency
38:30 Enforcement of Awards Against States
41:00 Geopolitics & Natural Resource Disputes
44:00 Crisis Management in Practice
46:30 Business Development Philosophy
50:00 Building Long-Term Relationships
52:30 Advice for Junior Lawyers
56:00 Autonomy, Career Progression & Lifestyle
59:00 Final Reflections & What’s Next -
In this episode, Mark Hunting, partner at Bracewell in London, shares his journey from training at Hogan Lovells to building a career spanning private practice, in-house at bp and back into private practice.
Mark specialises in white collar crime, investigations and regulatory compliance, working on matters including bribery, corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions, with a particular focus on the energy sector.
He reflects on his early career in disputes, the value of hands-on advocacy experience and why being in the office plays a critical role in developing junior lawyers through exposure, mentorship and informal learning.
The conversation explores his move to Ropes & Gray, where he joined a small and entrepreneurial London team, gaining early responsibility in business development and client relationships.
Mark then shares insights from his time in-house at bp, including the increased responsibility, decision-making exposure and commercial impact that comes with working inside a global organisation, as well as the differences in career progression compared to private practice.
The episode dives into his return to private practice at Bracewell, where he is building a white collar crime and investigations practice in London within a highly specialised energy-focused firm.
Mark also provides a detailed look into his practice area, including internal investigations, dealing with regulators such as the Serious Fraud Office and Department of Justice, and the increasing complexity of sanctions and global compliance.
The conversation explores major trends shaping the legal landscape, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain risk, sanctions enforcement and the growing challenges of operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Mark also shares insights into the energy sector, including innovation in oil and gas, the rise of renewables and the increasing risk of fraud in areas such as carbon credits and sustainability-linked projects.
A significant part of the discussion focuses on AI and legal tech, where Mark explains how he uses AI in practice, from document review and investigations to coding in Excel and improving efficiency, while cautioning against over-reliance on AI for core legal reasoning and advocacy.
Finally, Mark offers practical advice for junior lawyers, including the importance of mastering detail, gaining broad experience early in your career and investing in long-term relationships both inside and outside the firm.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Mark Hunting: Career Overview
01:00 Training at Hogan Lovells & Early Career
03:00 Life as a Trainee & Importance of Office Culture
05:00 Moving to Ropes & Gray
06:30 Working in a Small, Entrepreneurial Team
08:00 Moving In-House to bp
10:00 Responsibility, Decision-Making & Meritocracy
12:00 In-House vs Private Practice
13:00 Returning to Private Practice at Bracewell
14:00 What Bracewell Does & Energy Focus
15:30 Overview of White Collar Crime & Investigations
17:00 Global Work: Africa, Middle East & Energy Sector
18:00 Role as a Magistrate & Early Responsibility
20:00 Geopolitics, Sanctions & Global Compliance
23:00 Supply Chains, Regulation & Risk
26:00 Energy Transition, Renewables & Fraud Risks
30:00 Innovation in Oil & Gas
33:00 AI in Legal Practice: Use Cases & Limitations
38:00 AI, Efficiency & Investigations
43:00 Training Lawyers in an AI-Driven World
48:00 Pricing, Billing & Law Firm Economics
54:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
58:00 Building Relationships & Career Development
01:00:00 Final Reflections & What’s Next -
In this episode, David Savage, Head of Construction at Charles Russell Speechlys, shares his journey from construction chambers to building and leading a top-tier construction practice within an international law firm.
From working at Shell before university to training at one of London’s leading construction chambers, David explains how early exposure to business and industry shaped his approach to law and client relationships.
He reflects on his transition into private practice, including the realities of pupillage, competition for tenancy and the decision to move into a fast-growing law firm environment.
David shares insights from his time helping to scale a construction team and what it takes to build, lead and grow high-performing legal teams.
The conversation explores his move to Charles Russell Speechlys, where he effectively built a construction team from scratch, navigating the challenges of starting without an existing client base and developing a practice through entrepreneurial thinking and business development.
David also discusses law firm mergers, including the strategic, cultural and operational considerations behind combining firms and scaling internationally.
The episode covers the evolving role of AI in legal practice, how firms are training lawyers in prompt engineering and why the human elements of law — trust, judgement and client relationships — remain critical.
David shares practical insights into construction law, including how lawyers balance black letter law with commercial realities and why understanding the business context is essential to delivering value to clients.
The conversation also dives into personal branding, LinkedIn and modern business development — including why authentic content can outperform traditional law firm marketing.
Finally, David offers advice for junior lawyers on developing commercial awareness, embracing AI, building relationships and taking advantage of opportunities both online and in person.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet David Savage: Career Overview
01:00 Working Before University & Early Experience
04:30 Life at the Construction Bar
08:00 Moving from Chambers to Law Firms
10:00 Building a High-Growth Construction Team
12:00 Learning from Entrepreneurial Partners
14:00 Business Development & Building a Network
16:00 Moving to Charles Russell Speechlys
19:00 Building a Team from Scratch
21:00 Growth, Leadership and Scaling a Practice
23:00 Law Firm Mergers: Strategy and Challenges
27:00 AI in Law and Legal Tech Adoption
30:00 Training Lawyers in Prompt Engineering
33:00 The Impact of AI on Legal Careers
37:00 Overview of Charles Russell Speechlys
41:00 What Construction Lawyers Actually Do
45:00 Commercial Awareness vs Black Letter Law
48:00 Business Development and Personal Branding
52:00 LinkedIn, Authenticity and Building a Brand
56:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
01:00:00 Career Reflections and What’s Next -
In this episode, Tom Platts, an international M&A partner at Stevenson Harwood, shares his journey through the legal industry, working across London, Singapore and emerging markets over a 20+ year career.
From training at Herbert Smith to leading cross-border transactions across Asia, Tom explains how he built an international practice and why keeping an open mind early in your career is critical to long-term success.
He discusses the realities of trainee life, choosing a practice area and why many junior lawyers struggle with the decision of what to specialise in. Tom also shares insights into working across jurisdictions, including his experience opening an office in Myanmar and advising on complex transactions in developing markets.
The conversation explores how the role of a lawyer evolves over time—from technical legal work to becoming a commercial advisor, managing clients and building a book of business.
Tom also reflects on the changing culture of law firms, the importance of business development, and how AI is beginning to reshape the legal industry.
Finally, he shares his Walk-to-Talk.com initiative, a global project focused on mental health and raising funds for dementia support.
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Tom Platts’ Career Journey
03:00 Life as a Trainee Lawyer
07:00 Choosing a Practice Area
12:00 Moving to Singapore & International Work
18:00 Building a Career in Emerging Markets
25:00 Myanmar & Cross-Border Legal Work
32:00 Work Culture in Law Firms
38:00 Business Development & Making Partner
45:00 AI in the Legal Industry
52:00 Walk to Talk & Mental Health Initiative
58:00 Career Advice for Junior Lawyers -
In this episode, Duncan, Global Co-Chair of the International Disputes Group at Duane Morris, shares his journey from training as a barrister in London to building a global career across leading US law firms.
From his early days at the Bar to spending over two decades in private practice, Duncan explains why he transitioned into US firms and how that shaped his exposure to international work, advocacy and client relationships.
He discusses the key differences between barristers and solicitors, the evolution of legal practice and why owning the full lifecycle of a dispute can deliver better outcomes for clients.
The conversation explores international arbitration in depth — what it is, how it works in practice and why it has become a preferred method of resolving cross-border disputes. Duncan also breaks down how arbitration compares to litigation, including speed, enforceability and flexibility.
Duncan shares insights from building teams across multiple firms, including his recent move to Duane Morris and the opportunity to help shape a truly global disputes practice spanning London, the US and Asia.
The episode also covers major trends shaping the legal industry, including the rise of AI, legal tech and third-party funding — as well as the opportunities and risks these bring for lawyers at all levels.
Finally, Duncan reflects on career highlights, the importance of mentorship and authenticity in advocacy and offers practical advice for junior lawyers looking to succeed in international arbitration and beyond.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Duncan: Career Overview
01:00 Why Become a Barrister
03:00 Moving into US Law Firms
05:00 Barrister vs Solicitor
07:30 Early Career, Mentors & Client Exposure
10:00 Becoming a Partner & Winning Work
12:00 Moving Firms & Building Teams
14:00 Joining Duane Morris & Global Strategy
16:30 What is International Arbitration?
20:00 How Arbitration Works (Rules, Tribunals, Clauses)
25:00 Arbitration vs Litigation
28:00 Life as an Advocate
32:00 Trends: AI & Third-Party Funding
35:00 London & English Law Globally
38:00 AI in Practice & Legal Tech Tools
45:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
48:00 The Vienna Moot
51:00 Career Highlights
58:00 Final Advice & Reflections -
In this episode, Colin Gibson, who until recently was Head of Disputes at Fieldfisher, shares his journey from joining the firm as a trainee in 1997 to becoming a board member and one of its most senior litigators.
Colin reflects on what it takes to build a long-term career within a single law firm — from embracing early opportunities and finding the right practice area, to navigating partnership and leadership responsibilities over nearly three decades.
He discusses the evolution of Fieldfisher from a 40-partner London firm to a global business and what young lawyers often misunderstand about progression, mentorship and developing a reputation internally.
The conversation explores life as a disputes lawyer, including commercial litigation, arbitration and high-stakes client work — as well as the mindset required to handle pressure, uncertainty and complex client relationships.
Colin also shares candid views on hybrid working, law firm culture and why being physically present in the office still matters for junior lawyers developing their careers.
The episode dives into the impact of AI on the legal profession, from document review and pricing models to the broader question of how law firms will adapt in the years ahead.
Finally, Colin offers practical advice for trainees and junior lawyers — including how to deal with uncertainty early in your career, the importance of enthusiasm and resilience as well as why learning to take criticism well is essential for long-term success.
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Colin Gibson: Head of Disputes at Fieldfisher
02:00 Staying at One Firm for 30 Years
05:00 Training Contract and Early Career Experience
09:00 Mentorship and Learning as a Trainee
13:00 Choosing a Practice Area
17:00 Discovering Litigation and Arbitration
21:00 Early Responsibility and Client Exposure
25:00 How Law Firms Have Evolved
30:00 Becoming a Partner: What Changes?
34:00 Skills Needed to Succeed in Law
38:00 Life as a Commercial Litigator
42:00 Building a Client Base and Business Development
47:00 Law Firm Growth, Strategy and Mergers
52:00 Culture at Fieldfisher
56:00 AI and the Future of Law
01:01:00 Pricing, Efficiency and Changing Client Expectations
01:05:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
01:08:00 Career Reflections and Looking Ahead -
In this episode, Adrianus shares his journey from starting his legal career in the Netherlands to becoming a partner advising on financial services, fintech and crypto across the Middle East.
From the early days of domestic law firms to the rise of global legal networks, Adrianus explains how the industry has evolved — and what it’s like to be part of building financial centres from scratch in places like Dubai.
He discusses his experience as a regulator, working on market infrastructure such as Euronext and how globalisation has reshaped both legal practice and financial markets.
The conversation also explores the rapid development of the Middle East as a financial hub, including its approach to regulation, virtual assets and innovation in areas like crypto and payments.
Finally, Adrianus shares practical advice for junior lawyers on taking ownership of their careers, embracing hard work and navigating long-term professional growth.
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Adrianus’ Early Career and Why He Chose Law
02:00 Training as a Lawyer in the Netherlands
04:30 Life as a Trainee in the Early 2000s
07:00 The Rise of Big Law in Europe
10:00 Becoming a Financial Markets Lawyer
12:00 Moving into Regulation and Euronext
15:00 Why Adrianus Moved to Dubai
18:00 Building a Financial Centre from Scratch
21:00 Life and Work in Dubai
25:00 Working Across the Middle East
28:00 Differences in Clients and Markets
32:00 The Growth of Financial Services in the Region
35:00 Crypto, Virtual Assets and Regulation
40:00 Market Confidence and the Role of Regulators
45:00 How Financial Markets Are Evolving
50:00 Working at DLA Piper in the Middle East
53:00 What Makes a Successful Lawyer Today
57:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
01:01:00 Career Reflections and Looking Ahead -
In this episode, Martin Dowdall, a financial services regulatory partner at Taylor Wessing, shares his journey through the legal industry, specialising in payments, fintech, crypto and financial regulation.
From studying Russian at university to training at a Silver Circle firm and working across Magic Circle and US firms, Martin explains how he found his niche in financial services regulation and why non-law backgrounds can be a real advantage in the profession.
He discusses the differences between top-tier law firms, the rise of US firms in London and how the legal market has evolved over the past decade. Martin also shares insights into working with fast-growing fintech and crypto companies and how advising these clients differs from traditional financial institutions.
The conversation explores what clients actually value from lawyers, the importance of clear and practical advice and how reputation and network drive long-term success in private practice.
Martin also reflects on his first year as a partner — the challenges, responsibilities beyond legal work and the mindset shift required to succeed at that level.
Finally, he shares his perspective on AI in law, the future of crypto regulation and why experience, curiosity and strong communication skills remain critical in an evolving industry.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Martin Dowdall: FinTech & FS Regulatory Lawyer
01:00 From Russian Degree to Law
03:00 Discovering Financial Services Regulation
06:00 Magic Circle vs Silver Circle
08:30 Rise of US Law Firms in London
10:00 Skills Needed to Succeed in Law
12:00 Mentors and Career Development
18:30 Moving into Payments, FinTech and Crypto
20:00 First Year as a Partner
23:00 Winning Clients and Building a Network
26:00 What is Financial Services Regulation?
27:30 FinTech vs Traditional Banking Clients
33:00 Working with Crypto Founders
37:00 The Future of Crypto Regulation (UK & EU)
41:00 AI in the Legal Industry
47:00 Career Highlights
53:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
59:00 What’s Next in FinTech and Regulation -
In this episode of the Legal Aura Podcast, Peter Jackson, former CEO of Hill Dickinson, shares his remarkable journey in the legal industry.
From starting his career as a trainee in Liverpool to leading Hill Dickinson through exponential growth, Peter discusses his strategic decisions, the role of mentorship, cultural importance in mergers and the evolution of law firm operations.
He also touches on personal challenges, such as almost leaving the firm early in his career and adapting to new media tools for modern legal practice.
Finally, Peter reflects on his future post-CEO plans and the importance of adapting to change while maintaining core values.
00:00 Introduction to the Legal Aura Podcast
00:20 Meet Peter Jackson: Leading Hil Dickinson
01:02 Peter Jackson's Early Life and Education
11:48 Navigating Law School and Early Career Challenges
16:56 The Evolution of Law Firm Culture
18:42 Training and Mentorship in the Legal Profession
31:55 Acquisitions and Mergers: Growing Hil Dickinson
41:48 Investing in Business and Workforce
42:05 Evaluating Lateral Hires and Acquisitions
42:58 Challenges in Client Retention
43:31 Due Diligence and Client Feedback
47:32 Cultural Fit and Values in Hiring
48:52 Personal Career Reflections
52:09 Leadership and Mentorship
01:00:00 Media and Personal Branding for Lawyers
01:14:06 Summary and Future Plans
