Studying Law Around the World

Claudio Klaus

A podcast with more than 60 hours of conversations with lawyers, professors, and students from over 20 countries. Each episode shows how people study law, build careers across borders, handle setbacks, and find purpose in their work. You will hear clear advice, practical tips, and global insights from different legal systems and top schools. A useful guide for anyone interested in law school experiences, law career advice, legal industry insights, and the views of legal scholars. Selected episodes accredited by the Law Society of Ontario and the Law Society of British Columbia. ISSN 2819 733X

  1. Relationships, Strategy, and Accountability with Chandler Lauzon

    5D AGO

    Relationships, Strategy, and Accountability with Chandler Lauzon

    This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Chandler Lauzon, the Chief Growth Officer at Cassels. Chandler refers to himself as a "recovering lawyer," having practiced law at a national firm and as in-house counsel before pivoting to the business side of the profession over 20 years ago. Today, he leads the business development, marketing, and communications functions at one of Canada's leading law firms. We discuss the reality of law firm politics, why "sales" shouldn't be a dirty word, and the three pillars of growth: Accountability, Strategy, and Execution. Chandler also shares his advice for young lawyers who feel that "gnawing feeling" that traditional practice might not be for them.

    25 min
  2. Community, Innovation, and Resilience with Patricia Gannon

    FEB 16

    Community, Innovation, and Resilience with Patricia Gannon

    Patricia Gannon built the largest law firm in the Balkans, growing it to over 200 lawyers across 8 markets. Then, she pivoted to launch a legal tech startup. In this episode, I sit down with the Founder & CEO of Platforum9 to discuss why she believes in "human-first" communication in the age of AI. We cover: The "Tom" Test: Why many law students fail the 3-minute elevator pitch and how to fix it. Human vs. AI: Why technology should amplify human connection, not replace it. Forgive Yourself: Patricia’s advice on why lawyers need to stop striving for machine-like perfection and protect their energy.

    20 min
  3. Restless Curiosity: Navigating the C-Suite and Forced Change with Bindu Cudjoe

    FEB 13

    Restless Curiosity: Navigating the C-Suite and Forced Change with Bindu Cudjoe

    This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Bindu Cudjoe, a legal executive who has held nearly every C-Suite title imaginable, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Inclusion Officer. With over 25 years of experience at major institutions like Laurentian Bank, BMO, and Canadian Western Bank, Bindu’s career path has been anything but linear. We discuss how "restlessness" can be a career superpower, the psychology behind why we fear the change we don't choose, and why leadership has nothing to do with your job title.

    31 min
  4. "Always Do Instead of Don't": Navigating International Law & Adaptability with Hasan Mandviwalla

    FEB 11

    "Always Do Instead of Don't": Navigating International Law & Adaptability with Hasan Mandviwalla

    Hasan Mandviwalla spent 11 years in the UK legal system before returning to Pakistan to practice in a jurisdiction where enforcement is a daily challenge. In this episode, I sit down with Hasan (Partner at Mandviwalla & Zafar) to discuss why "adaptability" is the most important skill for a modern lawyer and why longevity is the only real metric of success. He shares his golden rule for career growth, "Always do instead of don't", and explains why waiting until you are ten years into your career to start networking is a mistake you can't afford to make.

    14 min
  5. "Law Should Enable Innovation": From Colombia to the EU with Jorge Barona

    FEB 9

    "Law Should Enable Innovation": From Colombia to the EU with Jorge Barona

    This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Jorge Barona, an international lawyer based in Colombia who has spent the last decade supporting European Union-funded research and innovation projects. Jorge’s story is a testament to resilience. After a career setback and an injury in Colombia in 2013, he moved to France, reinvented his career, and carved out a unique niche supporting over 25 Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects. We discuss the cultural clash between traditional Latin American legal formalism and European practicality, the art of "Regulatory Mapping," and why he founded The Legal Explainer to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and attorneys.

    28 min
  6. "Lawyer Mind" vs. "Business Mind": Breaking the Cycle of Perfectionism with Gary Mitchell

    FEB 6

    "Lawyer Mind" vs. "Business Mind": Breaking the Cycle of Perfectionism with Gary Mitchell

    In this episode, I sit down with Gary Mitchell, the founder of OnTrac Coach, who has spent over 20 years helping lawyers unlock their potential. We discuss the clash between the "Lawyer Mind" and the "Entrepreneur Mind," why perfectionism prevents freedom, and how to avoid the common burnout that hits around the 5-to-7-year mark. Gary explains his "AND Approach," showing how firm owners can achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment by learning to let go of control and build a trusted team.

    28 min
  7. "Win the Talent, Win the Game": The Fractional Revolution with Brett Colvin

    FEB 4

    "Win the Talent, Win the Game": The Fractional Revolution with Brett Colvin

    In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Brett Colvin, the Co-founder and CEO of Goodlawyer. Brett began his career at Canada’s largest law firm, BLG, but his entrepreneurial spirit eventually hit a wall with the traditional billable hour model. In 2019, he left the firm to build a platform that reimagines how legal services are delivered. We discuss why the "Three D's" of law school (Duty, Deadlines, and Drudgery) are outdated and how AI and new business models can eliminate the "drudgery". Brett explains the rise of the Fractional General Counsel, a model that fills the massive gap between expensive external firms and hiring a full-time in-house lawyer. If you are a lawyer feeling stuck in the traditional path, or a business owner looking for flexible legal talent, this episode is a blueprint for the future of the profession. In this episode, we cover: The "Mo" Story: How a coffee shop owner inspired the name and mission of Goodlawyer. The "In-Between" Gap: Why companies need a solution that sits between expensive law firms and full-time employees. Killing the Drudgery: How technology is removing the mindless document review so lawyers can focus on strategy. The Fractional Revolution: Why top-tier legal talent is choosing flexibility and autonomy over the partnership track. The Retention Crisis: Why so many lawyers opt out of the profession after 5-10 years and how to fix it. About the Guest: Brett Colvin is the Co-founder and CEO of Goodlawyer, a platform connecting businesses with fractional legal talent. He practiced corporate law at BLG for over 4 years before launching Goodlawyer, which has since served over 5,000 clients and was recognized as one of Canada's "Top Growing Businesses" by the Globe and Mail.

    30 min
  8. From Courtroom to Conference Room: The 4 C's of Mediation with Felicia Harris Hoss

    FEB 2

    From Courtroom to Conference Room: The 4 C's of Mediation with Felicia Harris Hoss

    In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Felicia Harris Hoss, a distinguished mediator and arbitrator who spent over 28 years as a complex commercial litigator before pivoting her practice from the courtroom to the "conference room". We discuss why less than 1% of cases actually go to trial and why the smartest lawyers are now prioritizing Early Dispute Resolution (EDR). Felicia explains the critical difference between serving as an "Advocate" versus a "Neutral" and breaks down the "Four C's of Mediation" (Confidentiality, Control, Creativity, and Certainty) that make it a superior alternative to traditional litigation. Felicia also shares her experience spearheading ABA Resolution 500, which urges lawyers to pursue voluntary resolution early rather than waiting for court orders, and offers advice for young lawyers on why "street cred" in the trenches is necessary before becoming a mediator. Whether you are a law student interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or a litigator looking to serve your clients better, this episode is a masterclass in conflict management. In this episode, we cover: The reality of court backlogs and why trials are delayed for years. The "Four C's" of Mediation: Confidentiality, Control, Creativity, and Certainty. The difference between an Advocate and a Neutral. How ABA Resolution 500 is changing the landscape of Early Dispute Resolution. Why employment disputes benefit specifically from early mediation to save reputations and morale. Career advice for lawyers who want to become mediators. About the Guest: Felicia Harris Hoss is an Independent Mediator and Arbitrator at Harris Hoss PLLC based in Houston, Texas. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN), and currently serves as Chair of the Houston Bar Association ADR Council. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for both Commercial Litigation and Mediation.

    24 min
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About

A podcast with more than 60 hours of conversations with lawyers, professors, and students from over 20 countries. Each episode shows how people study law, build careers across borders, handle setbacks, and find purpose in their work. You will hear clear advice, practical tips, and global insights from different legal systems and top schools. A useful guide for anyone interested in law school experiences, law career advice, legal industry insights, and the views of legal scholars. Selected episodes accredited by the Law Society of Ontario and the Law Society of British Columbia. ISSN 2819 733X

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