Studying Law Around the World

Episoder

• The Entrepreneurial Leap, Strategic Lawyering, and Human Skills with Daniel Maffessoni Passinato Diniz 06.07.2026 9min

  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. He generously shared the invisible mechanics of what it actually takes to build a practice and become a deeply trusted business partner.What you will learnStrategic vs. Operational Lawyering: How to transition from simply executing assigned legal tasks to operating as a high level advisor who helps clients make their most critical business decisions.The Power of Plain Language: Why Daniel's experience as a professor taught him that the absolute highest compliment a lawyer can receive is that they "do not sound like a typical lawyer."Mastering Human Skills: Why emotional resilience, relationship building, and clear communication are your ultimate competitive advantages in an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.Why this mattersFor many junior lawyers, the idea of starting a firm or building a book of business feels impossible because law schools heavily emphasize technical skills while completely ignoring sales, relationship building, and strategy. Daniel's journey proves that technical excellence is only the baseline. If you cannot confidently communicate your value or translate complex legal jargon into plain language, you will struggle to win trust. By shifting your mindset from a mere task executor to a strategic business partner, you can command higher value, secure better clients, and build a career that is built to last.Three takeawaysEmbrace the strategic level. Do not just wait for a client to tell you to draft a contract or file a lawsuit. Position yourself as the trusted advisor they call to ask if they should take those actions in the very first place.Prioritize human skills. As AI continues to automate routine legal work, your ability to listen, negotiate, and empathize will become your most valuable professional assets. Learn to speak the language of your clients, not just the rigid language of the law.Play the long game. Building a world class reputation takes time, immense consistency, and a willingness to always remain teachable. Do not rush the process. Focus intensely on taking care of your people and your clients, and the commercial success will follow.Guest: Daniel Maffessoni Passinato Diniz, founding partner at Passinato & Graebin and professor of corporate law. He specializes in M&A, arbitration, and guiding companies through complex corporate transitions.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Firm Realities, Authentic Networking, and Sustainable Careers with Murray Gottheil 03.07.2026 29min

  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 learnThe Power of Connection: Why establishing relationships and taking clients out to lunch is often far more effective than trying to prove you are the smartest person in the room. Clients assume competence; what they want to know is if they actually enjoy working with you.The Expectation vs. Reality Gap: Why hiding in your office to churn out perfectly drafted memos will not secure your future in a firm. Murray explains why technical brilliance must be paired with visibility, relationship building, and cultural fit.Defining Your Own Success: Why you must actively define what a successful career looks like for you before the profession defines it for you, often at the severe expense of your health and personal life.Why this mattersFor a young lawyer stepping into a firm, the pressure to produce billable hours can easily overshadow the need to learn how the business of law actually functions. Murray's insights highlight a critical truth: there is no single right way to market yourself. Whether you excel at one on one lunches, public speaking, or consistently delivering excellent follow up service, you must lean into your authentic personality to build your practice. Learning to communicate effectively and prioritizing your personal well being are not distractions from your career; they are the very foundation of its longevity.Three takeawaysClients assume competence. Do not waste valuable networking time explaining how smart you are or how hard your firm works. Focus on learning about the person across the table. People ultimately hire the professionals they like and trust.Define success on your own terms. If you do not actively decide what success means for your life, the legal profession will happily impose its definition on you. Be intentional about your goals, your boundaries, and your health.Find your own marketing style. You do not need to mimic the senior partner's golf game or cocktail party networking style to succeed. Lean into your own personality and find a method of connecting with clients that feels natural and sustainable for you.Guest: Murray Gottheil, retired business lawyer, former managing partner, and founder of Law & Disorder Inc. He is a passionate mentor and a vocal advocate for sustainable career planning in the legal profession.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• AI Governance, Privacy Placebos, and the Global Legal Career with Tainá Baylão 29.06.2026 26min

  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 Tainá Baylão. Tainá is a dual qualified lawyer from Brazil and Portugal who successfully navigated her career through Canada and Germany before landing in Switzerland, where she currently serves as Global Privacy Counsel for Roche.In this episode, she generously shares the invisible mechanics of moving across borders, mastering AI governance, and navigating the dynamic world of data protection.What you will learnThe Global Legal Career: Why practice areas heavily influenced by international conventions, like privacy and data protection, offer incredible flexibility to cross borders and work in completely new jurisdictions.Avoiding Privacy Placebos: Why meaningless consent flows and excessive checkboxes offer zero real compliance value and actually harm the overarching goals of the business.Becoming a Business Enabler: How gaining a basic understanding of technical tools prevents you from becoming a "business blocker" and turns you into a highly valued strategic partner for IT and marketing teams.Why this mattersFor junior lawyers looking to move abroad, the path can often feel impossible. Tainá proves that with the right niche and a focus on adaptability, borders become entirely manageable. Furthermore, she highlights an unspoken rule of corporate practice: technical knowledge alone is never enough. If you cannot explain complex privacy or AI regulations in plain language to the developers building the product, you will struggle to gain visibility. By dropping the legal jargon and focusing on practical solutions, you transform compliance from a corporate burden into a true competitive advantage.Three takeawaysEliminate privacy placebos. Do not implement compliance steps just for the sake of looking busy. If a checkbox or a forced policy agreement does not offer real legal protection or genuinely benefit the user experience, it is a meaningless point of friction.Embrace technical curiosity. You do not need to be a software engineer, but you must understand the basics of the technology you are advising on. Use AI tools to translate complex technical concepts into plain language before you walk into a meeting with your tech team.Build your personal brand. Technical excellence is expected, but visibility is what actually drives your career forward. Do not quietly wait to be noticed. Share your accomplishments, network actively, and find mentors who will champion your work in the rooms you are not yet in.Guest: Tainá Baylão, Global Privacy Counsel at Roche. Tainá is a privacy and data protection specialist, AI governance expert, and a passionate advocate for building international legal careers.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• From Risk Minimization to Value Creation: The Human-Centric Legal Leader with Jonathan Cullen 25.06.2026 37min

  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 lawyers make because no one explained this? They assume their only job is to be right.In this week's episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Jonathan Cullen. Jonathan is a former corporate lawyer and executive coach who spent 18 years at Pfizer, eventually leading legal teams across Canada, France, and Latin America. He generously shared the mechanics of unlearning the strict "lawyer mindset" to become a true business leader.What you will learnThe Transition from Lawyer to Leader: Why technical excellence is necessary but not sufficient. Jonathan explains why lawyers must "unlearn" their reliance on analysis paralysis and extreme risk aversion in order to prioritize the speed and value creation required in business.The Power of a Varied Diet: How intellectual curiosity and reading outside of the law (such as history, psychology, and biographies) trains your brain to connect seemingly unrelated dots, allowing you to see commercial opportunities your competitors miss.Why this mattersWe are heavily rewarded in law school and early practice for spotting risks and avoiding mistakes. But if your only contribution is identifying problems, the best you will ever do is return your client to yesterday's status quo. To truly accelerate your career, you must shift your mindset from merely protecting the organization to actively identifying new commercial opportunities. This requires learning to communicate with clarity, brevity, and deep empathy for the people working alongside you.Three takeawaysUnlearn to level up. The meticulous attention to detail and intense focus on finding the "perfect" answer that got you through law school will actively slow you down in a business environment. You must learn when to let go of the caveats and prioritize speed and commercial reality.Read outside the law. Do not limit your intellectual inputs to legal texts and industry updates. Having a varied diet of learning gives you the unique ability to approach problems from unexpected angles, making your advice vastly more valuable to your clients.Everybody is dealing with something. True leadership requires recognizing that every single colleague is navigating their own personal challenges behind the scenes. Providing grace and support during those times is not just compassionate; it builds an incredibly resilient and dedicated team.Guest: Jonathan Cullen, Executive Coach and Consultant. Jonathan is a former regional legal lead at Pfizer, dedicated to supporting individual lawyers in their career growth and helping law firms develop their talent systems.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario, for approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:⁠ https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• From Big Law to Juice Bars to General Counsel: Embracing the Builder Mindset with Heather Stevenson 23.06.2026 24min

  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" is actually your greatest competitive advantage.What you will learnThe Builder Mindset: Why the most successful lawyers operate as proactive business partners rather than a risk averse "department of no."Learning to Learn: How reading broadly outside of the law, including history and biographies, builds crucial professional judgment so you do not have to learn every lesson the hard way.Humanizing the Profession: Why being authentic, approachable, and letting go of professional stiffness makes colleagues more comfortable seeking your advice.Why this mattersWhat mistake do junior lawyers make because no one explained this? They assume they have to know exactly where their career is going. Heather proves that the most valuable professional experiences often come from unexpected pivots. Whether you are navigating the rapid implementation of AI tools or trying to secure a role in a completely new industry, your ability to communicate effectively and build genuine trust will open doors that a perfect resume simply cannot.Three takeawaysRethink your professional brand. Joy is a competitive advantage. You do not need to be the stiffest, most formal person in the room to be respected. Bringing your authentic self to work builds stronger, more honest client relationships.Embrace casual mentorship. Do not wait for formal mentorship programs to save you. Reach out to peers and professionals just a few years ahead of you. The Legal Mentor Network is a perfect example of how accessible and vital these informal relationships are.Protect your physical health. The early years of a legal career are heavily focused on learning, but that hustle should never come at the expense of your body. Prioritizing sleep and exercise is a non negotiable requirement for long term career survival.Guest: Heather Stevenson, General Counsel at Red Cell Partners and Founding Board Member of the Legal Mentor Network. Heather is dedicated to filling mentorship gaps for junior lawyers and advocating for a more human approach to the practice of law.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Law Firm Realities, The Generational Gap, and Building a Portable Reputation with Susan Van Dyke 17.06.2026 21min

  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 nearly 30 years of experience in law firm management and as the founder of Lawyer Launcher, she has had a front row seat to how firms actually evaluate, hire, and promote talent.She generously shared the invisible mechanics of bridging the gap between law school and private practice:What mistake do junior lawyers make because no one explained this? They wait for instructions. Susan explains why partners are often overworked and deeply value juniors who anticipate needs, take initiative, and contribute to strategic thinking out loud.What is the unspoken rule of firm survival? Law firms are businesses first. You cannot rely on partners to feed you work forever. You must eventually take responsibility for developing your own practice and building authentic client relationships.What question should a new lawyer ask when starting out? How can I prioritize learning over earning? Susan shares why focusing on finding the right environment for your professional development will naturally lead to long term financial rewards, and why protecting your portable reputation is your greatest asset.If you want to understand how leadership actually views associates and how to position yourself for a sustainable career, this conversation is exactly what you need.Listen to the full episode, "Law Firm Realities, The Generational Gap, and Building a Portable Reputation with Susan Van Dyke," out now.Where to listen and how to support the show:Search Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Human Rights Advocacy, International Law, and Finding Your Calling with Wissam al-Saliby 16.06.2026 18min

  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 assume their personal values and their professional skills must exist in completely separate spheres.In this special installment of our Lawyers of Faith series, I sat down with Wissam al-Saliby, the president of 21 Wilberforce. Wissam transitioned from studying international law in Lebanon and France to leading a global organization dedicated to protecting human rights and freedom of belief.He generously shared the invisible mechanics of finding your calling and using your legal skills to serve others:What you will learnThe Origins of Humanitarian Law: How the foundations of the International Committee of the Red Cross were deeply rooted in a Christian ethical framework focused on the sanctity of life.Navigating Global Human Rights: Why the majority of the global population still struggles to fully enjoy freedom of belief, and how legal advocates work to expand these protections worldwide.Integrating Personal Values: Practical steps for corporate lawyers and law students to incorporate human rights advocacy and meaningful pro bono work into their everyday practice.Why this mattersIt is easy to believe that meaningful human rights work is reserved exclusively for those working at the United Nations or massive non profit organizations. Wissam proves that the exact opposite is true. Finding a way to integrate your core values into your legal work is the ultimate key to a sustainable and fulfilling career. Whether you are actively seeking a role in international human rights or simply looking to take on pro bono work at a corporate firm, your unique background is a powerful tool for advocacy.Three takeawaysExplore the intersection of values and practice. You do not need to abandon a traditional career path to do meaningful work. Taking short courses in humanitarian law or reading about refugee protection can help you identify pro bono opportunities that align with your personal calling.Volunteer your legal skills. Organizations dedicated to human rights and the protection of vulnerable populations are constantly looking for skilled legal professionals. Reach out and volunteer your time. Your ability to navigate complex systems is incredibly valuable to those in need.Listen to your calling. The most fulfilling careers are rarely linear. Remain open to unexpected pivots and unique opportunities. Letting your values guide your professional decisions will often lead you to places you never expected to go.Guest: Wissam al-Saliby, President of 21 Wilberforce. Wissam is an international legal expert and advocate dedicated to supporting global human rights, religious freedom, and peacemaking.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Open Source Law, Omni Jurisdictional AI, and AI Agents with Zacharie Laïk 11.06.2026 18min

  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 globe, effectively creating the world's first open data layer for omni jurisdictional legal research.What you will learnThe Shift to Scalable Work: How to transition from ephemeral legal tasks, like drafting memos that may never be read again, to building reusable and automated systems.Omni Jurisdictional AI: How open source AI agents are breaking down the fragmented silos of national legal databases to democratize access to the law.Redefining Legal Technology: Why treating artificial intelligence merely as a tool for cost reduction is a massive trap and why imagination is now your most valuable professional skill.Why this mattersFor junior lawyers and legal innovators, the fragmentation of global legal data has always been a massive barrier. Historically, comparing laws across borders required a huge budget and an international team of practitioners. Now, open source infrastructure is making that level of research accessible to everyone. Zacharie's journey proves that the future of our profession is not just about practicing within the strict confines of a single jurisdiction. It is about leveraging technology to build scalable tools that transcend borders and completely change what is possible in your daily practice.Three takeawaysAvoid the cost reduction trap. If you only view AI as a way to do your current job faster and cheaper, you will eventually find the work boring and unfulfilling. The real opportunity lies in asking yourself what you can achieve today that was completely impossible just six months ago.Build lasting solutions. Traditional legal work is often ephemeral. Learning to leverage AI agents allows you to build repeatable workflows and automated systems that continue to generate value long after you create them.Your imagination is the only limit. With open source platforms like Legal Data Hunter, multi jurisdictional research is no longer prohibitively expensive. The barrier to global comparative law is no longer data access. The only true barrier remaining is your own creativity.Guest: Zacharie Laïk, CEO of Goodlegal and maintainer of Legal Data Hunter. Zacharie is a dual qualified lawyer who is passionate about organizing the world's legal data through autonomous AI agents.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Troubled Project Rescue, High Stakes Negotiation, and the Value of Being Wrong with Rob Pattison 09.06.2026 41min

  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 learnThe Reality of P3 Projects: Why public private partnerships are inherently designed to transfer risk and how wishful thinking often leads contractors to underprice bids.Troubled Project Rescue: How the solution to a failing project is often found within the problem itself. Fixing broken deals requires acknowledging the limitations of legal rights and looking for mutual design or scope changes to fill financial holes.The Power of Humility: Why the secret to success in litigation and negotiation is walking through the world prepared to be wrong.Why this mattersFor junior lawyers, it is easy to hide behind the literal words of a contract or fall into the trap of becoming a commodity. Rob's insights prove that true professionals step back and look at the broader interests, reputation, and reality of the business. To have a real impact in this profession, you need the courage to tell your own team when they are wrong and the foresight to provide a level of strategic thinking that no artificial intelligence can replicate.Three takeawaysLook beyond the page. All contracts are inherently incomplete. Taking a rigid position based purely on financial pressure rather than the actual commercial context destroys trust. You must consider the broader relationship and your long term reputation when navigating a dispute.Be your own toughest skeptic. If the only question you ask in litigation is how to win, you are setting yourself up for a terrible surprise. You must constantly ask how you could lose. The best lawyers are far more skeptical of their own team's narrative than they are of the opposing side's story.Do what only you can do. In an era of predictive computing and AI, anyone who provides replaceable work will eventually be replaced. Avoid becoming a commodity. Accept your weaknesses, focus intensely on your unique strengths, and do what only you can do in a way that only you can do it.Guest: Rob Pattison, Consultant specializing in troubled project rescue, high stakes negotiation, and pre transaction due diligence.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:⁠ https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• The Diversity Principle, The Marketplace of Ideas, and the "Brandeis Brief" with Professor David Oppenheimer 07.06.2026 25min

  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 Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea, exploring how the concept of diversity has evolved over two centuries, how social science influences legal strategy, and why practicing law requires an open heart.What you will learnThe Educational Value of Diversity: Why diverse environments, including differences in nationality, religion, age, and background, consistently lead to better decision making and increased innovation.The Historical Roots of Diversity: How the concept of diversity in higher education actually dates back to 1810 with Wilhelm von Humboldt, eventually influencing the Mills and shaping Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.'s interpretation of the First Amendment.The Power of the "Brandeis Brief": Why incorporating social science and multidisciplinary research into legal advocacy can help you build far more effective and holistic arguments.Why this mattersFor junior and international lawyers, it is easy to feel like an outsider or worry that your distinct background is a disadvantage. Professor Oppenheimer flips this narrative completely. Your diverse perspective is not a liability; it is precisely what drives better, more innovative legal solutions. Furthermore, he reminds us that legal advocacy is not strictly confined to traditional case law. By thinking outside the box and drawing upon diverse disciplines, as seen with the historical "Brandeis brief", you can craft strategies that change the course of legal history.Three takeawaysSeek out diverse environments. To build a truly impactful career, actively pursue opportunities to engage with and learn from diverse groups and perspectives. This will enrich your understanding of the law and make you a more creative problem solver.Embrace multidisciplinary research. Do not limit your arguments to strict legal precedent. Modern legal history, including the foundational arguments in major civil rights cases, was built by lawyers who integrated social sciences into their advocacy.Practice law as a healer. Legal practice is fundamentally a helping profession. Clients come to us when they are in pain or facing complex problems. Approaching your work with sensitivity, an open heart, and genuine care for your clients is the key to being both effective and deeply fulfilled in your career.Guest: Professor David Oppenheimer, Clinical Professor of Law at UC Berkeley Law, Faculty Co-Director of the Pro Bono Program, and author of The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC). For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Hidden Loyalties, the Peacock Metaphor, and Why Lawyers Feel Stuck with Lora McInturf 03.06.2026 30min

  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 legal professionals: hidden loyalties. We explore why so many highly capable lawyers feel unable to make a career change—even when it logically makes perfect sense—and how our unconscious commitments keep us anchored to the past.Guest: Lora McInturf, Founder of The Inner Advocate. Lora is an international lawyer turned executive coach who specializes in constellations and systems work, helping lawyers navigate complex career transitions globally.Where to listen and how to support the showSearch Studying Law Around the World on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC). For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:⁠ https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Taking Charge, Introversion, and Career Pivots with Norman Bacal 01.06.2026 30min

  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 undistinguished law student to the leader of one of Canada's most prestigious law firms, Norman's career is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.In this episode, we unpack the hidden curriculum of building a successful legal career. We discuss:The Interviewer Technique: What mistake do people make with networking? They try too hard to be interesting. Norman explains how introverts can master small talk by interviewing the person next to them.Building an Organizational Culture: What is the unspoken rule of firm leadership? Successful organizations are tribal. We discuss why strong cultural values and shared mythology are essential.Processing Failure: What question should a junior lawyer ask about setbacks? Norman shares how he navigated the collapse of his former law firm, processed his anger through journaling, and pivoted toward an entirely new career as a speaker and author.Guest: Norman Bacal, Author, Motivational Speaker, and former Managing Partner. Norman is the author of Take Charge and Breakdown.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit: ⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes
• Aiming for the Sun: Rebuilding and Reinventing Your Legal Career Across Borders 29.05.2026 30min

  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 France, currently working in the US), and Jorge Barona (a Colombian attorney with multiple European master's degrees, specializing in consultancy for EU-financed projects).In this episode, we discuss the reality of starting over, the undeniable translatability of legal skills, and how to reinvent your professional identity when moving across borders.What you will learn:The Reality of Starting Over: How to navigate the "grieving process" of realizing you must rebuild your professional identity and start from scratch when moving to a new jurisdiction.Skill Translatability: Why core skills like problem-solving, effective communication across time zones, and adaptability are highly translatable, even when the black letter law is local.Career Reinvention: How to look beyond traditional law firm partnerships and utilize a legal background to excel in compliance, finance, or administrative leadership roles.Why this matters For junior lawyers, the prospect of moving abroad can feel insurmountable. You leave behind a network where you are recognized as a competent local attorney to enter an environment where you are largely unknown and must prove your value tenfold. As our guests highlight, an international move forces you out of your comfort zone, humbling you while simultaneously demanding that you become incredibly resourceful. You learn to translate your value beyond your original degree, discovering that a legal background can unlock powerful leadership roles across various industries.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show on your platform of choice. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC). For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:⁠https://law-learn-link.base44.app/Episodes⁠
• The Business of AI, Infrastructure, and the T-Shaped Lawyer with Saad Minhas 25.05.2026 24min

  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 builders to our city to celebrate the future of technology, it is the perfect time to look at the physical engine powering this entire AI revolution.There is an unspoken rule in the legal profession that no one teaches early enough. Legal careers are shaped far less by credentials and much more by communication. When you are working on massive infrastructure projects, your ability to clearly explain risk across different disciplines is what actually gets things built. I want to make that invisible part of the profession visible today.In this episode, we discuss:The Unspoken Rule of High Stakes Deals: Why legal expertise is only the baseline. To be a true advisor, you must understand your client's profit incentives and how their business actually serves its customers.The T-Shaped Lawyer: What mistake do early career professionals make because no one explained it? They focus solely on their legal specialty. Saad explains why you must develop deep expertise in one area while maintaining the versatility to communicate across parallel fields like construction and power.Navigating Different Environments: What question should a junior lawyer ask but does not know how? How do I translate my skills across different sectors? Saad shares how he successfully transitioned between public agencies, global banks, and tech startups by staying true to his core values and clearly communicating his value to stakeholders.Guest: Saad Minhas, Managing Counsel, Infrastructure and Canada Lead at Cerebras Systems. Saad leads the legal function for Canada and heads commercial and infrastructure matters globally, with a focus on AI data center development and hyperscale infrastructure transactions.If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show. Leaving a rating and review is the best way to support the podcast, helping us continue to grow and bring these invisible rules of the legal profession to more junior lawyers around the world.Selected episodes of Studying Law Around the World are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE/CPD) credit with the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC).For approved episodes, accreditation details, and participation information, please visit:https://law-learn-link.base44.app/EpisodesPlease retain your confirmation email as proof of attendance in the event of an audit.Please note that the Barreau du Québec no longer directly accredits external CPD providers. Québec lawyers must self report eligible hours under the Regulation respecting compulsory continuing education for lawyers. Programs accredited by the LSO or LSBC are generally accepted when the content is relevant to legal practice and aligns with Barreau standards.For specific eligibility questions, please consult the Barreau du Québec website directly.
• Career Reinvention, Japanese Business Culture, and the Fractional GC Model with Catherine O'Connell 22.05.2026 20min

  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 the launch of her very own boutique law firm.In this highly inspiring episode, we discuss the evolution of a global legal career, the nuances of Japanese business culture, and why your unique background is your greatest professional asset.Guest: Catherine O'Connell, Principal and Founder of Catherine O'Connell Law. Catherine is a trailblazing foreign lawyer in Japan, an experienced corporate board member, and the host of the Lawyer on Air podcast.During our conversation, Catherine shared insights about board work and career reinvention that she expands on heavily in her own work. I highly recommend checking out her award-winning show:Lawyer on Air PodcastA Pathway to Board Success: Catherine's insights on leadership with guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 1 of 3)Advice for aspiring board members at every level of their legal career with Catherine and guest host Akiyo Inoko Hewett (Part 2 of 3)
• Navigating the AI Ecosystem, Ethics, and the Future of Law with Cristiano Therrien 18.05.2026 30min

  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 why career paths are networks rather than straight lines, how to practically integrate AI into your daily workflows, and why reading science fiction might just make you a better lawyer.
• Trial Advocacy, Navigating Structural Barriers, and a 40 Year Career in Justice with Kenneth J Kunken 15.05.2026 23min

  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 quadriplegic student to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell.Ken went on to earn a law degree from Hofstra University and built a formidable 40-year career as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County, ultimately rising to the position of Deputy Bureau Chief. In this episode, we discuss his journey to the prosecutor's office, the reality of inaccessible courtrooms, and his high-level advice for navigating trial work.
• Geopolitics, Mediation, and the Legal Frontier: A View from Pakistan with Hasan Mandviwalla 14.05.2026 18min

  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 paths, Hasan provides a candid look at how the geopolitical role of a nation directly dictates the volume and nature of its legal work. We specifically discuss the recent April 2026 peace talks in Islamabad and what it means for lawyers when a country acts as a regional mediator.
• The Addiction to Speed and the Power of Slowing Down with Lora McInturf 13.05.2026 31min

  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 law school trains us to equate immediate answers with competence, the hidden costs of chronic urgency, and why learning to slow down is the ultimate competitive advantage in the age of artificial intelligence.This episode is proudly sponsored by The Inner Advocate® with Lora McInturf, supporting lawyers and other business leaders around the world to transform important aspects of their work to realize more impact in their careers and feel more fulfilled in life. Visit theinneradvocate.com to book an exploratory call.
• Communication Matters More Than Credentials in Law | Interview on Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar with Susan Van Dyke (Crosspost) 11.05.2026 27min

  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 World, where I speak with lawyers about real career paths across jurisdictions.In this conversation, we focus on what actually matters when you start your legal career. We talk about why communication often matters more than credentials, how networking works in practice, and what law firms expect from new lawyers but rarely explain.We also discuss building a career across countries, dealing with early uncertainty, and why there is no single path to success in law.If you are a law student or a new lawyer, this is a practical and honest look at the transition from law school to practice.This is only part of the conversation. To hear the full episode, search for Lawyer Launcher – Behind the Bar wherever you listen to podcasts. https://lawyerlauncher.buzzsprout.com/