Lawsy Originals

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Conversations with lawyers about the real stories behind their careers.

1H AGO

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 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

1h 1m
MAY 20

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 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

1h 5m
MAY 13

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 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

1h 1m
MAY 6

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 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

1h 2m
APR 29

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 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

1h 10m
APR 22

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, 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

1 hr
APR 15

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 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

1h 12m
APR 1

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 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

1h 7m
MAR 26

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 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

1h 1m
12/02/2025

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 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

1h 22m

10 Episodes

Conversations with lawyers about the real stories behind their careers.

Creator

Hugo
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
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