Podcast
Lawsy Originals
Hosted by Hugo · EN
Conversations with lawyers about the real stories behind their careers.
12episodes
Episodes
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Ian Bagshaw, Managing Partner at Perkins Coie London — The Future of Law Firms, AI & Training the Next Generation
1w ago00:57:45Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Catherine Casazza, Senior Legal Counsel at Fidelity International — From Wall Street to the Buy Side
2w ago01:03:50Tap to summarizeIn 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?
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Eleanor Wilson, Associate at Mishcon de Reya — On Intellectual Property, Fashion Law and the Future of AI
3w ago00:47:16Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Tristan Dollie, Partner at Brown Rudnick — On Special Situations, High Net Worth Clients and the Evolution of Modern Dealmaking
Jun 300:29:56Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Mark Stephens, Partner at Howard Kennedy — On Human Rights, Media Law and Using the Law to Drive Social Change
May 2701:00:38Tap to summarizeMark Stephens, Partner at Howard Kennedy — On Human Rights, Creative Law and Driving Social ChangeIn 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
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Tim Foden, Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner — On International Arbitration, Crisis Management and Building a Global Legal Career
May 2001:04:42Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Mark Hunting, Partner at Bracewell — On White Collar Crime, In-House vs Private Practice and the Future of AI in Law
May 1301:01:18Tap to summarizeIn 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
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David Savage, Head of Construction at Charles Russell Speechlys — On Building a Practice, Law Firm Growth and the Future of Legal Careers
May 601:02:06Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Tom Platts, Head of Corporate at Stephenson Harwood — On Building Out a Niche From Challenging Emerging Markets
Apr 2901:09:49Tap to summarizeIn 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 Introduction00:30 Tom Platts’ Career Journey03:00 Life as a Trainee Lawyer07:00 Choosing a Practice Area12:00 Moving to Singapore & International Work18:00 Building a Career in Emerging Markets25:00 Myanmar & Cross-Border Legal Work32:00 Work Culture in Law Firms38:00 Business Development & Making Partner45:00 AI in the Legal Industry52:00 Walk to Talk & Mental Health Initiative58:00 Career Advice for Junior Lawyers
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Duncan Speller, Global Co-Chair of International Disputes at Duane Morris — On International Arbitration, Advocacy and Building a Global Practice
Apr 2200:59:48Tap to summarizeIn 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
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