Lawsy Originals
Lawsy Originals features conversations with lawyers about the real stories behind their careers. Each episode explores the personal journeys, challenges, and turning points that shaped the guests' professional lives. The show offers an honest look at legal careers beyond the courtroom stereotypes.
Episodes
Future Trainee Series: Work Experience
Future Trainee Panel Series - Making the Most of Work Experience in ApplicationsGuests:- Ash Shetty, White & Case- Josh Kelly, Ropes & Gray- Caius Ramsden-Board, Gibson DunnIn this episode, three future trainees share practical advice on how to use work experience to strengthen training contract and vacation scheme applications, stand out in interviews and demonstrate the skills law firms
Future Trainee Series: Written Applications
Future Trainee Panel Series - Writing Strong Training Contract ApplicationsGuests:- Davina Nalwadda, Dentons- Nour Samman, Gibson Dunn- Harry Swift, HSF KramerIn this episode, three future trainees share practical advice on writing stronger training contract and vacation scheme applications, from researching firms and developing convincing answers to avoiding common mistakes.Key topics include:• R
Future Trainee Series: Balancing Applications with Life
Future Trainee Panel Series - Balancing Training Contract Applications With University, Work and LifeGuests:- Gulsum Qane, Clyde & Co- Josh Medina, A&O Shearman - David Wallis, FreshfieldsIn this episode, three future trainees share practical advice on one of the biggest challenges facing aspiring solicitors: balancing training contract and vacation scheme applications with university, wor
Bruno Bertrand-Delfau, co-Head of Secondaries at Proskauer — On Secondaries, Private Capital and One of the Fastest-Growing Markets in Finance
In this episode, Bruno explains the rapid evolution of the secondaries market and why it has become one of the most important areas of private capital over the past two decades.Bruno begins by explaining what secondaries actually are, breaking down how the market provides liquidity for investors in private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit funds. He explores why secondaries ha
Will Normand, Head of Asset Management at Travers Smith — On Private Capital, AI and Building the Next Generation of Lawyers
In this episode, Will explains how the private capital industry has evolved over the past two decades and why the most successful law firms are rethinking how they advise clients, develop talent and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.Will begins by demystifying asset management, breaking down the different types of investment funds and explaining why private capital has
Russell Warren, Head of Tax at King & Spalding — On Private Capital, Tax Law and Building a Personal Brand
In this episode, Russell Warren, Tax Partner at King & Spalding, explains why tax sits at the heart of private capital transactions and shares how the role of a modern tax lawyer extends far beyond advising on legislation.Russell begins by explaining his practice, advising private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate and other alternative investment funds throughout the entire i
Darren Rogers, Head of Real Estate at McDermott Will & Schulte — On Building Client Relationships, life in US Law Firms and the Future of Real Assets
In this episode, Darren Rogers, Head of Real Estate in London at McDermott Will & Schulte, shares the career decisions that shaped his journey from trainee to leading one of the firm's fastest-growing practice areas.Darren reflects on qualifying outside London before making the move to the City, explaining why he left a structured environment at CMS after just six months to join a smaller
Future Trainee Series: Fleur Florin
Fleur Florin, Future Trainee Solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright — On Standing Out, Securing a Training Contract and Building a Legal CareerIn this episode, Fleur swaps the interviewer's chair for the guest seat to reflect on the biggest lessons she's learned from interviewing aspiring lawyers and future trainees who have successfully secured training contracts at leading law firms.Fleur
Future Trainee Series: Louis Sheridan
Louis Sheridan, Future Trainee Solicitor at Paul, Weiss — On Private Equity, Commercial Awareness and Writing Standout ApplicationsIn this episode, Louis Sheridan shares his journey to securing a training contract at Paul, Weiss, explaining how a genuine fascination with private equity, relentless curiosity and a distinctive approach to commercial awareness helped him stand out during one of the m
Future Trainee Series: Hasti Mozhdehi
Hasti Mozhdehi, Future Trainee Solicitor at Latham & Watkins — From Retail Management to Securing a Training ContractIn this episode, Hasti Mozhdehi shares her journey to securing a training contract at Latham & Watkins, explaining how leadership experience outside law, a focused application strategy and genuine relationship building helped her stand out.Hasti reflects on discovering comme
Future Trainee Series: Dana Altunisi
Dana Altunisi, Future Trainee Solicitor at Dentons — From Professional Ballet to Securing a Training ContractIn 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 re
Future Trainee Series: Heidi Daryanani
Heidi Daryanani, Future Trainee Solicitor at RPC — On Paralegal Experience, Training Contracts and Standing Out in ApplicationsIn 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 discoverin
Future Trainee Series: Yusuf Serang
Yusuf Serang, Future Trainee Solicitor at Fieldfisher — From India to a Training Contract in the UKIn 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
Ian Bagshaw, Managing Partner at Perkins Coie London — The Future of Law Firms, AI & Training the Next Generation
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 Clif
Catherine Casazza, Senior Legal Counsel at Fidelity International — From Wall Street to the Buy Side
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 d
Eleanor Wilson, Associate at Mishcon de Reya — On Intellectual Property, Fashion Law and the Future of AI
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
Tristan Dollie, Partner at Brown Rudnick — On Special Situations, High Net Worth Clients and the Evolution of Modern Dealmaking
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 c
Mark Stephens, Partner at Howard Kennedy — On Human Rights, Media Law and Using the Law to Drive Social Change
Mark 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 int
Tim Foden, Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner — On International Arbitration, Crisis Management and Building a Global Legal Career
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
Mark Hunting, Partner at Bracewell — On White Collar Crime, In-House vs Private Practice and the Future of AI in Law
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 focu
David Savage, Head of Construction at Charles Russell Speechlys — On Building a Practice, Law Firm Growth and the Future of Legal Careers
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 t
Tom Platts, Head of Corporate at Stephenson Harwood — On Building Out a Niche From Challenging Emerging Markets
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 critic
Duncan Speller, Global Co-Chair of International Disputes at Duane Morris — On International Arbitration, Advocacy and Building a Global Practice
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, advoc
Colin Gibson, ex-Head of Disputes at Fieldfisher — On Building a 28-Year Career at One Firm, Litigation and the Future of Law
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 a
Adrianus Schoorl, Financial Services Regulatory Partner at DLA Piper — On Building Financial Centres, Big Law Globalisation and the Rise of Crypto
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 pl
Martin Dowdall, Financial Services Regulatory Partner at Taylor Wessing — On Life as a Junior Partner, FinTech and Building a Legal Practice
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
Peter Jackson, Former CEO of Hill Dickinson for Nearly 20 Years — On Growing Firm Revenue from £34m to £141.2m
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
