Lessons I Learned in Law
Heriot Brown
Scott Brown is a 'recovering lawyer'. Following years working in international law firms, Scott now runs Heriot Brown, a Legal Recruitment business. His extensive discussions with people across the legal profession have given him insight into what makes lawyers tick. Now, Scott shares those insights with you - to help you in your career. On each episode Scott invites guests to leave their egos at their door, share their professional successes and challenges, as well as the lessons they've learned in law. Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment. Follow Heriot Brown:Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
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Top 10 Lessons I Learned in Law Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Lessons I Learned in Law episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Lessons I Learned in Law for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Lessons I Learned in Law episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
How to continually develop your career and skill set with Kelly Young
Lessons I Learned in Law
10/17/24 • 43 min
In this episode of 'Lessons I Learned in Law', Scott Brown interviews Kelly Young, General Counsel and Executive Director at Marie Curie, one of the UK's biggest charities.
Kelly shares her journey from private practice to in-house counsel, emphasising the importance of authenticity, curiosity, and understanding risk and governance in the legal profession. She discusses her role in building teams and navigating challenges in getting to that position, while also providing practical advice on personal development and setting oneself up for success in a demanding career.
If you're considering a transition from private practice to in-house, you won't want to miss this episode!
"From Working Bee to Strategic Leader: How Katja Roth Pellanda Rose to Lead a Global Legal Team of 500+"
Lessons I Learned in Law
12/12/24 • 42 min
In the final episode of Season 6, Scott Brown is joined by Katja Roth Pellanda, Group General Counsel at Zurich Insurance. Katja shares her journey from a corporate law associate to managing a global legal function of 500+ lawyers.
Her story is a masterclass in career growth, highlighting how being visible, strategic, and vocal can elevate your career.
Key Lessons from Katja:
- Visibility Matters:
Early in her career, Katja focused solely on delivering exceptional legal work, believing it would be enough for recognition. However, she realised that visibility and storytelling were equally important for career advancement. - Learn to Market Yourself:
Katja speaks about shifting her mindset to actively communicate her value—not just in the quality of her legal advice, but in demonstrating leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking. - Transforming Leadership:
Katja’s focus on visibility, paired with her curiosity and willingness to tackle challenges, has propelled her into a leadership role, managing a global legal function that spans continents and cultures.
Standout Moments:
- How Katja balances being a strategic leader while fostering a collaborative team culture.
- The innovative initiatives her legal team is implementing, from secondments with UBS to internal leadership programmes.
- Her advice for legal professionals: Be more than a “working bee”—showcase your strategic value.
Katja’s Recommendations:
- Book: Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire by Rebecca Henderson – Insights into integrating sustainability with profitability.
- Podcast: Rethinking by Adam Grant – Thought-provoking conversations on leadership and innovation.
About Heriot Brown:
At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.
Building Trust in Tech: Lessons from Trustpilot’s Chief Trust Officer, Anoop Joshi
Lessons I Learned in Law
11/14/24 • 49 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown is joined by Anoop Joshi, Chief Trust Officer at Trustpilot. Anoop's unique career journey from private practice to leading trust, transparency, and legal operations for one of the world’s leading review platforms offers insights for any lawyer looking to break new ground. With a background that blends law, tech, and business, Anoop shares the key lessons that have shaped his approach to legal practice, leadership, and career growth.
Listen in as Anoop discusses:
- Why project management is a powerful skill for any in-house lawyer, and his approach to making complex projects succeed.
- The importance of broadening one’s perspective and looking beyond traditional legal disciplines.
- The value of defining and sticking to personal principles, even when navigating the complex intersection of law and ethics in tech.
Whether you're curious about the evolving role of legal leadership in the digital age or seeking practical advice on career management, Anoop's journey is filled with valuable takeaways for any legal professional.
Key Takeaways:
- Project Management as a Career Supercharger: Anoop shares how developing project management skills can set lawyers apart in in-house roles and why empathy and understanding stakeholder needs are vital.
- Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon: The impact of exposure to various disciplines is a recurring theme, as Anoop reflects on how his non-traditional career path has shaped his approach to law.
- Stick to Your Principles: Learn why Anoop believes defining and adhering to personal values and professional "red lines" is essential, particularly in high-stakes roles that blend legal and ethical considerations.
- Bringing Tech to Law: From his days in software engineering to leading Trustpilot’s legal operations, Anoop discusses the benefit of blending tech with legal for greater impact.
- The Chief Trust Officer Role: Dive into what it means to head up trust and transparency for a platform like Trustpilot, managing everything from content integrity to compliance.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
James Morgan on being adaptable, patient and open to opportunity
Lessons I Learned in Law
08/03/23 • 23 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to James Morgan, Managing Director and the Co-General Counsel for EMEA at Japan’s largest bank MUFG. James is responsible for overseeing all legal issues of MUFG Bank, including litigation and enforcement matters, corporate structure and acquisitions as well as regional corporate governance.
James shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:
· Be adaptable. When changes happen try and embrace them.
· Don’t be siloed. Try and be generalist in your approach to your career and any opportunities that may arise along the way.
· Be patient. A legal career can be a bit like climbing a mountain. You may need to sidestep, or even move down in order to move up. Don’t feel you need to achieve giant strides in a short space of time.
James explains how his Co-general Counsel role came about, and how MUFG have subsequently adopted co-head roles in other departments as a result of the proven gains in flexibility and performance. ‘One plus one equals three’, James says.
James also reveals he’s a dab-hand at Karaoke – something that’s been surprisingly useful recently in his career!
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Adam Woodhall on how General Counsels can champion sustainability in their organisations
Lessons I Learned in Law
07/20/23 • 29 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Adam Woodhall, founder and CEO of Lawyers for Net Zero - a non-profit that supports GCs and their teams to utilise their position as a corporate leader to enable effective engagement with climate and ESG issues.
Adam shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:
· General Counsel are the most influential individuals in the legal sector. They interface with many colleagues in different roles across the organisation, and choose which law firms to work with.
· General Counsels have gone way beyond the ‘Department of No’!
· This is not theoretical - GCs are working on ESG and advocating for change in their organisations right now! If you, as a GC, are thinking of working in this field then know there are many others similar to you who are already making it happen.
Adam reveals how many GCs are using ESG initiatives as a way of exercising their leadership. GCs often sit on the board of organisations or advise very senior management and are doing so with regards to issues on sustainability.
Adam has worked with over 100 in-house lawyers via Lawyers for Net Zero's ‘Leaders Programme’, including the global GCs from Rolls Royce, WPP, BUPA, Centrica, National Grid and Specsavers. Hear all about the programme which focusses on supporting GCs to generate action via their role through peer-to-peer networking and training. You can find out more about the programme here.
Fancy a giggle? Check out Adam’s sustainable stand up on YouTube where he purports to be Head of Sustainability for the Death Star! Watch it here.
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Alex Stephany on doing right and giving back
Lessons I Learned in Law
12/01/22 • 37 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law Scott Brown talks to Founder and CEO of Beam, Alex Stephany. Launched in 2017, Beam is an innovative tech platform supporting homeless people and refugees into stable jobs and homes. Before launching Beam, Alex was CEO of JustPark where he led the largest ever crowdfunding round for a tech startup at the time.
Alex explains the mission behind Beam and what motivated him to start it. He also shares some of the lessons he learned in law including:
· If you can, give back.
· Don’t underestimate the importance of attention to detail.
· Impress everyone. This is a small, interconnected world so try and do right by everyone you come across.
An expert on the sharing economy, Alex is the author of The Business of Sharing.
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Jonny Parker on developing outside interests to make you a better lawyer
Lessons I Learned in Law
11/17/22 • 26 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law Scott Brown speaks to Jonny Parker, Legal Counsel at what3words. Jonny trained at international law firm Taylor Wessing and is also the co-founder of a challenger beer brand - YABBA which launched in May 2021.
Jonny shares some of the lessons he learned in law including:
· The ‘right time’ might not be the right time for you. You can deviate from the traditional routes through legal training to explore different options and find what works best for you.
· Appreciate the value of your passions and outside interests, in terms of how they can make you a better person and a better lawyer.
· Don’t get bogged down in the finishing touches. Sometimes that extra time to make a project ‘perfect’ can be too costly and inefficient.
Jonny also reveals that his favourite pastime is surfing, and explains how he finds time for that in and around a demanding career in law. He also talks through the work that went into launching his beer brand.
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Alex Su on his escape from Big Law
Lessons I Learned in Law
12/16/21 • 31 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law Scott Brown speaks with TikTok sensation Alex Su.
Alex is a former lawyer who now works at the cutting edge of legal technology. He is currently Head of Community Development at Ironclad, a contracts technology company backed by Accel, Sequoia, and other leading investors.
He is also @legaltechbro on Tik Tok, where he makes hilarious videos observing and poking fun at the legal industry. A must follow for in-house lawyers! He started his career as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell and clerked for a federal judge.
Alex shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:
- Know your strengths and weaknesses, and find yourself a role that best compliments them.
- Keep your eyes open for opportunities.
- Be aware of what the world is telling you in terms of feedback. Follow what works for you!
Alex also talks about his jump from BigLaw into the world of legaltech and sales!
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Daniel Glazer on why a career in law is like launching a start-up
Lessons I Learned in Law
11/04/21 • 26 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Daniel Glazer.
Daniel is an American technology lawyer, strategic business advisor, and the Managing Partner of Wilson Sonsini's London office.
Dan advises high-growth UK/European technology and life sciences companies on raising capital in the US and UK/Europe, expanding their businesses into US markets, and connecting with investors, corporates, and advisors.
Daniel shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:
- Building a career in the law is like building a start-up.
- Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
- Strive to find a career at the intersection of what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, what allows you to earn sufficient compensation and what creates value for society.
Dan was appointed as a GlobalScot trade advisor by the Scottish Government. Scott and Dan have a bit of fun discusising all things Scottish Football related!!
Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.
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Lawyer to Fintech Founder: Aki Hussain on Small Lessons, Big Impact, and Betting on Yourself
Lessons I Learned in Law
12/05/24 • 50 min
In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, we welcome Aki Hussein, a seasoned legal professional turned founder / entrepreneur. As Chief Legal Officer and Co-Founder of TerraPay, Aki shares his unique journey from Big Law to the bustling streets of Nairobi and eventually to founding an international payments company.
His career exemplifies the intersection of law and entrepreneurship, showcasing how legal expertise can drive impactful innovation.
We delve into how lawyers can harness their training to succeed beyond traditional roles, with actionable insights for legal professionals considering a shift in their career paths.
Key Lessons from Aki:
Focus on the Fruit Flies:
Aki shares how small, seemingly insignificant experiments in life can teach profound lessons.
Bet on Yourself:
Aki encourages legal professionals to trust their instincts and take calculated risks. Drawing from his decision to co-found TerraPay, he highlights how betting on oneself opens doors to creativity and professional growth.
Love vs. Fear:
Aki reflects on how decisions are often rooted in either love or fear. He challenges lawyers to overcome fear-driven mindsets and embrace opportunities for growth and connection.
This is real practical advice for lawyers considering non-traditional career paths, including the importance of incremental steps and self-reflection.
Book and Podcast Recommendations from Aki:
Book: High Output Management by Andy Grove – A tactical guide to systems thinking and team optimisation.
Podcast: The Professor G Podcast by Scott Galloway – An engaging resource for understanding complex topics like AI and market trends, with a dose of humour and practical insights.
About Heriot Brown:
Lessons I Learned in Law is brought to you by Heriot Brown, the in-house legal recruitment specialists dedicated to helping lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Our mission extends beyond job placements, fostering a vibrant community that connects legal professionals with valuable insights and opportunities.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Lessons I Learned in Law have?
Lessons I Learned in Law currently has 84 episodes available.
What topics does Lessons I Learned in Law cover?
The podcast is about General, Attorney, Lessons, Management, Law, Legal, Podcasts, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Lessons I Learned in Law?
The episode title 'Jonny Parker on developing outside interests to make you a better lawyer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Lessons I Learned in Law?
The average episode length on Lessons I Learned in Law is 33 minutes.
How often are episodes of Lessons I Learned in Law released?
Episodes of Lessons I Learned in Law are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Lessons I Learned in Law?
The first episode of Lessons I Learned in Law was released on Apr 16, 2021.
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