Studying Law Around the World
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.
Episodes
Mastering Oral Advocacy, the Power of Public Service, and Following Your North Star with Karlson Leung
ISSN 2819-733XWhat mistake do junior lawyers make because no one explained this? They assume that choosing a career in public service means giving up on high stakes courtroom experience, or they walk away from their dream path because the early years require navigating short term contracts.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and no one teaches that early enough.
The ADHD Advantage, Inclusive Leadership, and Treating Your Career Like a Scientist with Sarah Ennor
This week on the podcast, I sat down with Sarah Ennor. Sarah is a non-practicing lawyer and the founder of Growth Council. After working in high pressure roles at Gowlings and BMO, a career pivot led to her ADHD diagnosis. She realized the traits she spent years masking were actually her greatest strengths. We talked about neurodiversity in the legal profession, why fear is a terrible motivational
Game Theory in Court, AI Arbitration Bias, and the T-Shaped Lawyer with Federico Ast
This week on the podcast, I sat down with Federico Ast. Federico is an economist, philosopher, and the founder of Kleros. He built a decentralized justice system that uses blockchain technology and game theory to resolve cross-border digital disputes online. We talked about crowdsourcing jurors like in ancient Athens, the terrifying reality of AI biases in arbitration, and why the next generation
Building Your Craft, People-Centered Justice, and Cross-Border Human Rights with Milena Klimberg van Marrewijk
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Milena Klimberg van Marrewijk. Milena is the program advisor on human rights and access to justice at the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Law. Originally from Buenos Aires, she began her international career representing states in investment arbitration in Paris before deliberately transitioning into human rights litigation in New
The Sunk Cost Fallacy, Leaving the Law, and the Power of Storytelling with Shaun Bernstein
ISSN 2819-733XLegal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and no one teaches that early enough. I make that invisible part of the profession visible.This week on the podcast, I sat down with Shaun Bernstein. Shaun is a journalist turned lawyer who eventually left practice entirely to found a ghostwriting and storytelling agency. After experiencing a severe mental health
The Sunk Cost Trap, the Mentor Deck, and the Science of Patent Law with Khadija Wilson
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Khadija Wilson. Khadija holds a PhD in pharmacology, is currently a JD candidate at Temple Law, and is the founder of Rooted Advising. She shared her journey moving from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States and how she built a highly specialized career at the intersection of science and patent law.We got into the realities of being a
The Immigrant Advantage, AI Implementation, and Billing Models with Majo Castro
This week on the podcast, I sat down with Majo Castro. Majo is the founding attorney of Castro & Legal in Austin, Texas. After leaving Venezuela in 2015 with a law degree that she could not use in the United States, she started completely over. She took a paralegal course, worked as a bartender, eventually earned an LLM, and opened her own boutique firm specializing in cybersecurity, AI govern
Humanizing the Code, Building Client Trust, and Cross-Border Estates with Amanda Doucette
ISSN 2819-733XThere is a persistent myth in law school that you must be a math genius to practice tax law. It keeps a lot of great advocates away from a field that desperately needs them.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and almost no one teaches that early enough. I try to make that invisible part of the profession visible.This week on the podcast, I sat down
The Global Classroom, Comparative Equality, and Leaving Your Jurisdiction with David Oppenheimer, Panos Kapotas, and Laura Carlson
Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and no one teaches that early enough. I make that invisible part of the profession visible.What mistake do junior lawyers make because no one explained this? They assume the law looks exactly the same everywhere. When you only study your local legal system, you start to believe your jurisdiction's way of solving a problem
Shippable Futures, Escaping Microsoft Word, and Prototyping Your Career with Baru Obračajová
This week on the podcast, I sat down with Baru Obračajová. She is a Czech lawyer, legal designer, and the mind behind "Attorney at Code." After years of handling cross-border M&A and ESG transactions, she realized the traditional, hyper-specialized legal path was not for her. She took a free Harvard coding class online, and it completely changed how she viewed the practice of law. To
Sponsorship, Critical Thinking, and Building Your Own Platform with Aneka Jiwaji
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Aneka Jiwaji. She is a commercial and securities litigator who has been in practice for a decade. After navigating insurance defense, an international firm, and the BC Securities Commission, she recently co-founded JI Law, an all-women boutique firm.We talked about why she decided to start her own practice. It wasn't about lifestyle o
Presence Over Perfection, The Happy Lawyer, and Writing for Children with Shani M. King and N. Jeremi Duru
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Shani M. King and N. Jeremi Duru. Shani and Jeremi are brilliant legal scholars, law professors, and longtime friends who met as undergraduates at Brown University. Having built formidable careers in child advocacy and civil rights litigation, they recently collaborated on a deeply personal children's book published b
The Power of Narrative, Proactive Career Strategy, and the Human Connection with José Bottazzo
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with José Bottazzo. After building a highly successful career as a litigation partner in Brazil, José made a bold pivot, moving to Toronto to become a leader in legal recruitment. Now the Director of Client Services at Forge Recruitment, he generously shared his insights on how law firms evaluate senior talent, the distinct di
Digital Assets, The Truth About Trusts, and Writing Your Own Niche with Demetre Vasilounis
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Demetre Vasilounis. Demetre is a trust and estates lawyer, a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and a recognized leader in family wealth and succession planning. After discovering his love for estates during a mandatory articling rotation, he built a thriving practice advising ultra high net worth families. He generousl
Unplanned Pivots, The Economics of Law, and Authentic Practice with Bruno Maggi
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Bruno Maggi. Bruno is a partner at BM Advocados and one of Brazil's leading antitrust and competition lawyers. After an accidental assignment thrust him into cartel defense 25 years ago, he built an incredible career shaping Brazilian competition law and pioneering private damages litigation. He generously shared his
Boardroom Leadership, The Power of Trust, and Navigating Cross Border Careers with Liran Kandin
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Liran Kandin. Liran is a dual licensed lawyer in Ontario and New York, an entrepreneur, and the founder of NCA Tutor. Over the past 14 years, he has helped nearly 4,000 internationally trained lawyers successfully navigate the Canadian licensing process. He generously shared his insights on building a flawless reputation,
Human Judgment in the Age of AI, Cross-Border Practice, and Writing Publicly with Yash Jangid
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Yash Jangid. Yash is an advocate registered with the Bar Council of India, an LLM graduate from Queen Mary University of London, and a passionate voice for the integration of artificial intelligence in arbitration. Having navigated completely different legal systems, he generously shared his insights on bridging cultural
Legal Tech Innovation, Managing AI Risk, and Building Breadth with Josh Lokko
ISSN 2819-733XOne of the most exciting shifts happening in the legal profession right now is the movement away from exhausting mechanical tasks and toward strategic, fulfilling legal work.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and almost no one teaches that early enough. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.What mistake do junior lawye
Why Changing Jobs Will Not Fix It: The Path to the Happy Lawyer with Paul Karvanis
On the newest episode of Studying Law Around the World, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Paul Karvanis. After a 12 year career navigating Bay Street, the private sector, and a crown agency, Paul transitioned into coaching and literally wrote the book on The Happy Lawyer.He generously shared the invisible mechanics of career satisfaction and proved that building a joyful practice i
The Mindset Shift, AI Hallucinations, and the Return of the Legal Apprenticeship with Ceschino Brooks de Vita
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World Podcast, I sat down with Ceschino Brooks_de_Vita. Ceschino is a former Big Law corporate attorney, a Harvard alum, and the founder of the Legal Tech Guide. Having successfully transitioned from practicing law to legal tech marketing and entrepreneurship, he generously shared his insights on how to cut through the AI marketing hype, the im
Bridging the Gap: AI Risks, Corporate Silos, and Test-Driven Law with Dr. Steven A. Wright
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Dr. Steven A. Wright. Dr. Wright brings an incredibly rare perspective to the table, holding a PhD in computer engineering, an MBA, and a JD. Working at the intersection of technology, business, and law, he generously shared his insights on digital transformation, the hidden risks of artificial intelligence, and how lawye
Alternative Legal Paths and The Power of Generosity with Tim Wilbur
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Tim Wilbur. Tim is the Global Managing Editor of Key Media, overseeing some of Canada's most respected legal publications, including Canadian Lawyer and Lexpert. As both a trained lawyer and an experienced journalist, he sits at a unique vantage point to observe exactly what makes lawyers succeed. He generously shared
Rethinking the Billable Hour, the Apply All Dilemma, and AI Curiosity with Amy Grubb
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Amy Grubb. Amy began her career in big law before transitioning into business strategy, entrepreneurship, and eventually legal technology. Today, she works as a Legal Solutions Architect at Spellbook, helping in-house teams integrate AI into their daily workflows. She generously shared the invisible mechanics of navigatin
Owning Your Success, Executive Communication, and the Power of Exposure with Oliver Gleeson
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Oliver Gleeson. Oliver is a former general counsel, COO, and the founder of Salient Map Executive Consultancy. Through his extensive coaching work, he generously shared his insights on how early career professionals can shorten their learning curves, build executive presence, and transition from capable lawyers into trust
The Master of Laws Project, Strategic Listening, and Global Legal Careers with Yi Song
On the newest episode of Studying Law Around the World, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Yi Song. As a dual-licensed lawyer from China and an incredible educator at Georgetown University Law Center, Yi has spent years analyzing what actually gets international lawyers hired through her brilliant Master of Laws Interviews Project.She generously shared the invisible mechanics of nav
The Alignment Doctrine, Tribal Mentorship, and Finding Your Legal Giftings with Norm Bowley
On the newest episode of Studying Law Around the World, I had the privilege of sitting down with Norm Bowley. With over five decades of experience as a lawyer, educator, and coach, Norm generously shared the invisible mechanics of building a thriving practice instead of just enduring one:What mistake do people make because no one explained this? They spend decades trying to fix their weaknesses in
Bottom Up Policy, Environmental Justice, and the Interdisciplinary Lawyer with Sergio Sánchez
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Sergio Sánchez. Sergio is a lawyer from Mexico City, a Stanford PhD candidate, and a brilliant environmental policy leader working at the intersection of sustainability, climate justice, and community driven solutions. He generously shared his insights on how legal professionals can step outside traditional boundaries to
Building Your Ship, Authentic Relationships, and the Science of Luck with Dr. Tina Seelig
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Tina Seelig. Dr. Seelig is a neuroscientist, a renowned educator at Stanford University, and the Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars. As the author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck, she generously shared her groundbreaking framework for turning unpredictable career winds into intentional luck.What y
Building AI Skills, Holding Space, and the Value of the Struggle with Larissa Meredith-Flister
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Larissa Meredith-Flister. Larissa is a solicitor qualified in England, Wales, and Canada, with an LLM from the University of Cambridge and a deep background in economics. She has practiced complex litigation in London and now focuses on competition law and digital markets. She generously shared her insights on how to ethi
Solving Legal Debt, Elevating Human Judgment, and the Future of Law with Sebastian Padina
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Sebastian Padina. Sebastian is the founder of Hauswerk Law and a fractional General Counsel who brings a rare and brilliant mix of legal depth, AI engineering, and product management to his practice. He generously shared a completely refreshing and optimistic perspective on how modern tools and innovative business models are reshaping the
Global Networking, The Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Redefining Success with Sebastian Volcan
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting Sebastian Volcan. Sebastian is a brilliant Venezuelan lawyer who successfully transitioned from traditional corporate law into international strategy and business development. After a profound career shift inspired by Simon Sinek's "Start with Why," he co-founded Cressência to help entrepreneurs scale
The Entrepreneurial Leap, Strategic Lawyering, and Human Skills with Daniel Maffessoni Passinato Diniz
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of hosting Daniel Maffessoni Passinato Diniz. Daniel is a Brazilian corporate lawyer, law professor, and the founding partner of Passinato & Graebin. After taking a massive leap of faith to start his own fully cloud based firm ten years ago, he has become a highly respected advisor in M&A, arbitration, and corporate governance.
Firm Realities, Authentic Networking, and Sustainable Careers with Murray Gottheil
In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Murray Gottheil. Murray is a retired business lawyer who spent nearly 40 years representing entrepreneurial clients while serving as the managing partner of a mid-sized Ontario firm. He generously shared the hidden rules of law firm economics and the vital importance of building genuine human connections.What you will lea
AI Governance, Privacy Placebos, and the Global Legal Career with Tainá Baylão
ISSN 2819-733XOne of the most exciting opportunities in the modern legal profession is the ability to build a truly borderless career.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and almost no one teaches that early enough. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting
From Risk Minimization to Value Creation: The Human-Centric Legal Leader with Jonathan Cullen
ISSN 2819-733XOne of the most profound realizations a lawyer can make is that the very skills that brought them early success are often the exact same skills holding them back from executive leadership.Legal careers are shaped far less by technical credentials and much more by how we communicate and adapt. I want to make the invisible rules of that transition visible today.What mistake do junior l
From Big Law to Juice Bars to General Counsel: Embracing the Builder Mindset with Heather Stevenson
On the newest episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Heather Stevenson. Her career path is anything but conventional. She started as a securities litigator at Sullivan and Cromwell, stepped away to co-found a juice bar, and eventually returned to the law to become the General Counsel at Red Cell Partners. She generously shared how letting go of the traditional "lawyer mask&
Law Firm Realities, The Generational Gap, and Building a Portable Reputation with Susan Van Dyke
One of the greatest misconceptions in the legal profession is that simply doing good work is enough to build a successful career.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and no one teaches that early enough. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.On the newest episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Susan Van Dyke. With n
Human Rights Advocacy, International Law, and Finding Your Calling with Wissam al-Saliby
ISSN 2819-733XOne of the greatest opportunities in the legal profession is the ability to align your personal values with your daily practice.Legal careers are shaped less by credentials and more by communication, and almost no one teaches that early enough. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.What mistake do junior lawyers make when planning their careers? They assu
Open Source Law, Omni Jurisdictional AI, and AI Agents with Zacharie Laïk
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the absolute pleasure of hosting Zacharie Laïk. Zacharie is a French and US trained lawyer who transitioned from traditional firm practice to become the CEO of Goodlegal and the maintainer of Legal Data Hunter.In this episode, we explore how Zacharie built an autonomous AI agent that is currently indexing millions of legal documents across the glo
Troubled Project Rescue, High Stakes Negotiation, and the Value of Being Wrong with Rob Pattison
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Rob Pattison. Rob is an expert in troubled project rescue, high stakes negotiation, and pre transaction due diligence. With decades of experience on both sides of the negotiating table for Canada's largest infrastructure projects, he shares the invisible mechanics of fixing broken contracts and resolving complex claims.What you will l
The Diversity Principle, The Marketplace of Ideas, and the "Brandeis Brief" with Professor David Oppenheimer
ISSN 2819-733XThis week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the incredible privilege of hosting Professor David Oppenheimer. Professor Oppenheimer is a clinical professor of law at UC Berkeley, the faculty co-director of the pro bono program, and the director of the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law.In this episode, we discuss his newest book, The Diversity P
Hidden Loyalties, the Peacock Metaphor, and Why Lawyers Feel Stuck with Lora McInturf
ISSN 2819-733XThis week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the absolute pleasure of welcoming back Lora McInturf. Lora is an American attorney living in Germany who transitioned from big law into a full-time executive coaching practice. She has mentored lawyers and rising corporate stars in over 50 countries.In this episode, we dive deep into a psychological barrier that affects countless le
Taking Charge, Introversion, and Career Pivots with Norman Bacal
There is an unspoken rule in the legal profession that no one teaches early enough. Legal careers are shaped far less by raw credentials and much more by your ability to communicate and build relationships. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.This week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the profound honor of hosting Norman Bacal. From a self-described undisting
Aiming for the Sun: Rebuilding and Reinventing Your Legal Career Across Borders
This week on Studying Law Around the World Podcast, we have a very special panel episode featuring three brilliant legal professionals who have successfully navigated the complexities of international practice. I am joined by Viviana Harrington (licensed in Colombia and Missouri, working as in-house counsel), Elizabeth Ciesielski Saldana (a corporate attorney from Mexico with a master's in Fra
The Business of AI, Infrastructure, and the T-Shaped Lawyer with Saad Minhas
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I am thrilled to host Saad Minhas. Saad is the Managing Counsel, Infrastructure and Canada Lead at Cerebras Systems, the company leading the world in high speed AI inference. Based right here in Toronto, his career sits at the fascinating intersection of real estate, energy, and digital infrastructure.As Toronto Tech Week brings founders, investors, and
Career Reinvention, Japanese Business Culture, and the Fractional GC Model with Catherine O'Connell
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the absolute pleasure of hosting Catherine O'Connell. Catherine is a registered foreign lawyer in Japan, licensed in New Zealand and England and Wales. Originally arriving in Tokyo for a one-year contract, she has built an incredible 23-year career spanning private practice, in-house counsel roles for multinational giants like Panasonic, and t
Navigating the AI Ecosystem, Ethics, and the Future of Law with Cristiano Therrien
This week on Studying Law Around the World, we dive into the rapidly evolving intersection of law, technology, and governance. I am joined by Dr. Cristiano de Souza Therrien. Cristiano is a Canadian-Brazilian legal scholar, AI governance strategist, and technology law consultant with over 25 years of experience spanning private practice, academia, and the public sector.In this episode, we discuss
Trial Advocacy, Navigating Structural Barriers, and a 40 Year Career in Justice with Kenneth J Kunken
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I have the distinct privilege of hosting Kenneth J Kunken. In 1970, Ken sustained a spinal cord injury while playing football for Cornell University, resulting in quadriplegia. Navigating an era nearly two decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act, he confronted and overcame massive physical and attitudinal barriers to become the first quadriple
Geopolitics, Mediation, and the Legal Frontier: A View from Pakistan with Hasan Mandviwalla
This week on Studying Law Around the World, we are exploring a topic that sits at the complex intersection of international law, diplomacy, and the local legal market. I am welcoming back Hasan Mandviwalla, a partner at Mandviwalla & Zafar in Pakistan and an officer of the International Bar Association.This conversation is an outlier for the show. While we usually focus on individual career pa
The Addiction to Speed and the Power of Slowing Down with Lora McInturf
This week on Studying Law Around the World, we tackle one of the most ingrained and unspoken habits in the legal profession: the addiction to speed. I am joined by Lora McInturf, a former international lawyer turned executive coach. Lora has lived and worked across four continents and now supports high performing legal and business professionals in over 55 countries.In this episode, we discuss how
Communication Matters More Than Credentials in Law | Interview on Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar with Susan Van Dyke (Crosspost)
This episode is a bit different. I was recently a guest on Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar, hosted by Susan Van Dyke. Instead of recording a new conversation, I am sharing part of that interview here.If you are new here, I am Claudio Klaus. I am a Brazilian trained lawyer now articling in Ontario, with experience across Brazil, the United States, and Canada. I also host Studying Law Around the Wo
The Power of Community and Identity: Finding Your Place in the Law with Alanis Ortiz Espinosa
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I am joined by Alanis Ortiz Espinosa. Alanis is a corporate lawyer, in-house counsel, and a dedicated leader on the boards of the Canadian Hispanic Bar Association and the BridgeWay Family Centre. Her journey from studying in the UK to navigating the isolating "limbo" of the Canadian licensing process is a masterclass in resilience and intentio
Escaping the Reactive Trap, AI Agents, and Building Scalable Law Firm Operations with Kenny Alami
This week on Studying Law Around the World, we step away from substantive legal practice to look at the engine that actually runs a successful firm: business operations. I had the pleasure of hosting Kenny Alami, the founder of Not Operations. Kenny helps professional services firms eliminate tedious, repetitive tasks by leveraging the right technology.In this episode, we discuss why so many lawye
Cross-Border M&A, US In-House Roles, and The Visibility Advantage with Lara Merjane
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Lara Merjane. Lara is a corporate and M&A lawyer with a truly global footprint, currently serving as in-house counsel in Colorado. She is uniquely admitted to practice in Colorado, California, Ontario, and Brazil.Lara's career is a masterclass in strategic transitions. She moved from a robust labor litigation
Navigating AI Citations, Canadian Court Sanctions, and Building a Bulletproof Workflow with Tom Macintosh Zheng
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I welcomed back Tom Macintosh Zheng, co-founder of courtready.ca. Tom is a former commercial barrister in Toronto and a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. His current work focuses on building tools to help Canadians navigate the justice system and conducting research on access to justice.In this episode, we discuss the rising trend of AI-hallucina
Faith on Wall Street, Compartmentalization, and Authentic Legal Practice with Brett Scharffs
This week on Studying Law Around the World, we begin a new series exploring how lawyers bring their personal convictions into their legal work. I had the honor of hosting Professor Brett Scharffs, the Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University. He speaks in the show in his personal capacity.Professor Scharffs has a remarkable career spanning from
The Cross-Border M&A Reality and Bridging Cultural Gaps with Casper Lindholm Dam
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the privilege of speaking with Casper Lindholm Dam, an Associate Partner at a prominent business law firm in Copenhagen. Casper is a commercial lawyer with a deeply international mindset, advising both Danish and international companies on complex M&A, restructuring, and commercial disputes.Casper's path into law was anything but planned. G
International Arbitration in Germany, Cultural Gaps, and the Work Experience Advantage with Marlene Wette
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of hosting Marlene Wette, a Senior Associate at BODENHEIMER in Germany. Marlene specializes in international arbitration and cross-border litigation. She holds an LL.M. from the University of Amsterdam and has acted as counsel, tribunal secretary, and arbitrator in cases spanning from Vancouver to Dubai.In this episode, we discuss how
The Nomad Lawyer Reality and Challenging the Default Path with Ari Mike
In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, we make the invisible parts of the legal profession visible. Ari Mike joins the show to discuss his transition from a traditional corporate law firm in Montreal to running a fully remote, location-independent legal practice. After a pandemic layoff forced him to reevaluate his career, Ari realized that true leverage for a lawyer is not a fixed sala
Real-Time Resolution, The Keyboard Warrior Mistake, and the Business of Infrastructure Disputes with Sahil Shoor
In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, we make the invisible parts of the legal profession visible. Sahil Shoor, Partner at Gowling WLG, joins the show to unpack the business of complex commercial and infrastructure disputes. Sahil shares his remarkable journey from an NCA student in Thunder Bay to an equity partner managing tier-one national projects.Law school trains you to be an advo
The Business of Law, The Art of Saying No and Why Junior Lawyers Burn Out with Darren Smith
In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, we make the invisible parts of the legal profession visible. Darren Smith joins the show to discuss his unique career path from design, to litigation, and ultimately to legal education at Emond Publishing. Together, we unpack why your legal career is shaped less by your credentials and far more by your ability to communicate.We break down the unspo
Flipping the SEO Funnel, Lead Magnets, and the Power of Podcasting with Steven Schneider
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Steven Schneider to discuss exactly how to fix this structural flaw. Steven is the CEO of TrioSEO and previously scaled a portfolio of websites to $1.4 million in annual revenue purely through search engine optimization.He explained that the most successful firms do not just attract traffic. They build systems that capture demand. Instead
Strategic Empathy, Cross-Border M&A, and the Venice Startup Scene with Daniele Bartoli
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of hosting Daniele Bartoli, Managing Associate at Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici, one of Italy's premier law and tax firms.Daniele’s career is a brilliant case study in building international commercial awareness. He joined his firm just ten days after graduating from the University of Bologna and has since built a formidable practi
Global Risk, Cultural Translation, and the Evolution of Mining Law with Greg McNab
This week on Studying Law Around the World Podcast, I had the opportunity to speak with Greg McNab, a Partner in Dentons' Corporate group and the Canada Co-chair for the firm's Mining group.Greg’s career path is a masterclass in leveraging past experience. He began his professional life as a mechanical engineer and later worked as an engineering specialist for the provincial police. He
"There is a Paralegal for That": Inside Ontario's Paralegal Profession with John-Paul Rodrigues and Justin D. Rochester
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the privilege of hosting a fascinating discussion with John-Paul Rodrigues and Justin D. Rochester.Ontario holds a truly unique position in the global legal landscape. It is one of the only jurisdictions in the world that independently licenses and regulates paralegals to provide direct legal services to the public.John-Paul is a lawyer, an award w
Rebuilding Law Firms, Maximum Billable Hours, and Construction Litigation with Faren Bogach
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Faren Bogach, a commercial litigator, construction law expert, and the founder of Construct Legal.Faren’s career path is a fascinating study in taking control of how you practice. She began at a boutique firm before moving to Big Law, where she built a powerhouse construction practice and became an equity partner.
The Visibility Mistake, AI Search, and the Reality of Night Law School with Nick Cohen
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Cohen. He is a practicing attorney and the Chief Operating Officer at Matador Solutions, an agency that manages digital growth for over 150 law firms nationwide.Nick grew up in a family of trial lawyers and started running his parents' firm marketing when he was just 12 years old. He eventually built Matador So
Compounding Capability, Learning Infrastructure, and the Architecture of Success with Hana Dhanji
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Hana Dhanji, the Founder and CEO of Cognitrex Inc.Hana has built a truly extraordinary career. She began practicing law in some of the most demanding, elite environments in the world, working at firms like Sullivan & Cromwell and Hogan Lovells across New York, London, and Dubai. She later transitioned int
Strategic Execution, Creative Control, and the Art of M&A with Albert Lin
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I had the privilege of hosting Albert Lin, a Partner at Northview Law and an absolute master of corporate deal making.Albert’s career is a fascinating journey across multiple disciplines. He started his professional life as a scientist researching the human immune system and cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital. He later pivoted to private equity and the
Elder Law, the ITL Landscape, and the Ecosystem of Law with Rachel A. Sachs
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Rachel A. Sachs, a Filipino-German Canadian lawyer and the founder of Sachs Law Professional Corporation.Rachel has intentionally built her practice around serving older adults, a decision deeply rooted in her family history and her profound respect for the elders who shaped her life. Before opening her own firm, she navigated corporate c
Business Strategy, Legal Operations and Career Growth with Bianca Thomas
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Bianca Thomas, Senior Counsel in Technology and Operations at BMO.Bianca is a “Rising Star” in the profession. Her career spans boutique litigation, financial services partnerships at Shopify, capital markets work in the precious and base metals sector, and leading a team of legal operations professionals.We discuss transitioning between
Navigating Cross-Border Mining Deals, Emerging Markets, and Intercultural Communication with Rumyana Davidson
In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Rumyana Davidson, a Strategic Advisor and former Chief Legal Officer specializing in the global mining, metallurgy, and energy sectors. With over 15 years of experience executing billion-dollar joint ventures across the GCC, Africa, and Central Asia, Rumyana shares the unspoken rules of international market entry and cross-border de
Lunar Heritage, Dark Skies, and Space Diplomacy with Gregory Radisic
This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Gregory Radisic, a Canadian lawyer, PhD candidate at Bond University (Australia), and a teaching fellow at the Center for Space, Cyberspace and Data Law.Gregory’s legal practice exists quite literally out of this world. After starting his career in corporate law and national security, he found his way to the United Nations Office for Oute
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 o
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 pit
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. W
"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 f
"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 o
"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," show
"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&#
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