Tom Platts, Head of Corporate at Stephenson Harwood — On Building Out a Niche From Challenging Emerging Markets

Future Trainee Series: Dana Altunisi

Dana Altunisi, Future Trainee Solicitor at Dentons — From Professional Ballet to Securing a Training Contract In this episode, Dana Altunisi shares her journey securing a training contract at Dentons, explaining how she navigated the solicitor vs barrister decision, leveraged her international background and found ways to stand out in one of the most competitive graduate recruitment markets. Dana reflects on entering law without always knowing commercial law was the right path. Through university, mini pupillage and vacation schemes, she gradually realised that the intellectually challenging, collaborative and international nature of commercial law was a far better fit for her personality and long-term ambitions. The conversation explores why she ultimately chose the solicitor route after completing seven mini pupillages. Dana compares life at the Bar with working in commercial law firms, discussing the importance of teamwork, cross-border work and building long-term professional relationships. Dana also shares practical advice for students deciding between becoming a solicitor or barrister, explaining why speaking to junior lawyers, gaining real work experience and understanding the realities of both application processes is far more valuable than relying on common misconceptions. The episode dives into the differences between mini pupillage and vacation schemes, highlighting how the two experiences develop different skills and why vacation schemes provide a much broader insight into life inside a commercial law firm. A major focus of the discussion is standing out as an international candidate. Dana explains how speaking Arabic, English, French and Spanish became much more than a line on her CV by demonstrating cultural awareness, adaptability and her ambition to build a future career working across the Middle East. The conversation also explores how candidates can differentiate themselves during applications. Rather than focusing solely on legal knowledge, Dana explains why her background as a professional ballet dancer became one of the strongest parts of her interviews, allowing her to demonstrate discipline, resilience and performing under pressure in a memorable way. Dana also shares detailed insights into Dentons' direct training contract assessment centre, explaining why she preferred the assessment centre format over vacation schemes and offering practical preparation strategies, including building a master document of competency questions, learning commercial terminology and practising interview answers out loud. Finally, Dana reflects on the inevitable rejection that comes with applying for training contracts. She encourages aspiring lawyers to accept setbacks as part of the process, remain resilient and remember that success often comes after many unsuccessful applications. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Dana Altunisi   01:00 Why Commercial Law?   02:00 Solicitor vs Barrister   03:00 Seven Mini Pupillages Later   04:00 Mini Pupillages vs Vacation Schemes   05:00 Using Languages to Stand Out   06:00 Building an International Career   07:00 Professional Ballet & Transferable Skills   08:00 Standing Out in Applications   09:00 Dentons' Direct Assessment Centre   10:00 Preparing for Assessment Centres   11:00 Commercial Awareness & Technical Questions   12:00 Practising Interview Technique   13:00 Dealing with Rejection   14:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

Future Trainee Series: Heidi Daryanani

Heidi Daryanani, Future Trainee Solicitor at RPC — On Paralegal Experience, Training Contracts and Standing Out in Applications In this episode, Heidi shares her journey from growing up between India, Ireland and the UK to securing a training contract at RPC, offering practical advice for aspiring lawyers navigating the increasingly competitive route into commercial law. Heidi reflects on discovering commercial law through years of study and practical experience rather than following a predetermined plan. She explains why spending time inside law firms, working alongside lawyers and reflecting on what genuinely interests you is often the best way to determine whether a legal career is the right fit. The conversation explores Heidi's experiences working as a paralegal at both a leading US law firm and a specialist human rights practice. She discusses working on the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, helping prepare witness questions and submissions, before moving into high-value international arbitration and complex commercial litigation at a US firm. Heidi explains why paralegal experience can provide far more than legal knowledge. From drafting documents and managing clients to understanding billing, communication and the commercial realities of legal practice, she highlights how these experiences build confidence long before starting a training contract. A major focus of the episode is the competitive paralegal job market. Heidi shares the challenges of applying after graduation, the importance of persistence and how working with recruitment agencies, remaining open-minded and being willing to start in document review helped launch her legal career. The discussion also explores how candidates can use paralegal experience effectively during training contract applications. Heidi explains how she linked her practical experience to the firm's strengths, demonstrated genuine interest in litigation and arbitration, and used conversations with trainees and recent judgments to show commercial awareness and preparation. The conversation offers valuable insights into how law firms assess candidates beyond academic performance. Heidi explains why understanding how firms operate as businesses, appreciating client relationships and recognising the commercial pressures faced by lawyers helped strengthen both her applications and interviews. Throughout the episode, Heidi emphasises the importance of resilience during the application process. She discusses how rejection is an inevitable part of pursuing a training contract and why candidates should focus on objective self-improvement rather than assuming every rejection reflects their ability. Finally, Heidi shares practical advice for aspiring lawyers: stay persistent, keep building experience wherever possible, remain open to unexpected opportunities and remember that it only takes one firm to recognise your potential. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Heidi Daryanani   01:00 Why Commercial Law?   02:00 Working as a Paralegal   03:00 The COVID-19 Inquiry Experience   04:00 Human Rights vs US Law Firms   05:00 Skills You Gain as a Paralegal   06:00 Finding Your First Paralegal Role   07:00 Recruitment Agencies & Document Review   08:00 Standing Out in Applications   09:00 Using Paralegal Experience in Interviews   10:00 Litigation, Arbitration & Commercial Awareness   11:00 Understanding Law Firms as Businesses   12:00 Building Practical Legal Skills   13:00 Dealing with Rejection & Staying Resilient   14:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

Future Trainee Series: Yusuf Serang

Yusuf Serang, Future Trainee Solicitor at Fieldfisher — From India to a Training Contract in the UK In this episode, Yusuf shares his inspiring journey from Mumbai to securing a training contract at Fieldfisher, offering practical advice for aspiring lawyers on networking, academic success and standing out in competitive applications. Yusuf reflects on moving to the UK as an international student to study law at Swansea University and explains how he approached university with an open mind, exploring different areas of legal practice before discovering that commercial law best matched his interests in solving business problems and helping clients achieve their objectives. The conversation explores how gaining experience at a high street firm, an international in-house legal team and across different commercial practice areas helped him refine his career goals and develop a genuine understanding of what commercial lawyers actually do. Yusuf also discusses the challenges of building a professional network from scratch in a new country. From travelling across the UK to attend networking events to finding mentors and even securing legal work experience through conversations at his part-time job, he explains why curiosity and consistently asking questions opened doors throughout his career. A major focus of the episode is academic excellence. Yusuf explains how a chance conversation during his first year at university transformed his mindset and ultimately led him to graduate top of his cohort with the highest overall average. He breaks down the four key ingredients of a first-class law essay and shares practical advice that any law student can apply to improve their grades. The conversation also explores interview preparation, with Yusuf explaining why self-awareness became his greatest advantage. Rather than memorising model answers, he reflects on how analysing every work experience, identifying lessons learned and understanding his own strengths enabled him to answer unexpected interview questions with confidence. Yusuf also challenges one of the biggest myths surrounding training contract applications—that only legal work experience matters. Drawing on his experience working in a timber yard, he explains how transferable skills such as communication, attention to detail, organisation and problem solving can be just as valuable when presented effectively in interviews. Throughout the episode, Yusuf emphasises the importance of reflecting on experiences rather than simply listing responsibilities, showing how any role can demonstrate commercial awareness, resilience and client-focused thinking. Finally, Yusuf shares practical advice for aspiring lawyers, encouraging students to stay curious, take every opportunity available, build meaningful relationships and remember that consistent self-reflection is often the difference between a good application and an exceptional one. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Yusuf Serang   01:00 Why Commercial Law?   03:00 From India to Swansea University   04:00 Building a Network from Scratch   05:00 Finding Mentors & Work Experience   06:00 What Yusuf Would Do Differently   07:00 Graduating Top of His Cohort   09:00 The Four Ingredients of a First-Class Essay   10:30 Developing Critical Analysis   11:00 Self-Awareness for Interview Success   12:30 Preparing for Assessment Centres   13:00 Why Non-Legal Experience Matters   14:00 Transferable Skills from a Part-Time Job   15:00 Turning Timber Sales into Interview Success   16:00 Practical Advice for Aspiring Lawyers   17:00 Final Reflections

Ian Bagshaw, Managing Partner at Perkins Coie London — The Future of Law Firms, AI & Training the Next Generation

In this episode, Ian Bagshaw shares his remarkable career journey from accidental lawyer to Managing Partner of Perkins Coie London, offering a fascinating perspective on how technology, talent and culture are reshaping the legal profession. Ian reflects on working his way into law through an unexpected route and beginning his career at Eversheds before becoming one of the youngest partners at Clifford Chance. He went on to lead Private Equity at Linklaters, serve as Global Head of Private Equity at White & Case and after four years outside private practice, returned to launch Perkins Coie’s London office. The conversation explores the evolution of private equity over the last three decades, from management buyouts to today's private capital market and how client relationships and business development have always been at the heart of successful legal careers. Ian explains why he believes the future belongs to lawyers who build trust rather than simply provide technical advice, arguing that AI will make legal expertise more accessible while making judgement, relationships and commercial awareness even more valuable. A major focus of the episode is Perkins Coie's innovative approach to training junior lawyers. Ian discusses the firm's Legal Business Analyst programme, which accelerates qualification while teaching not only legal skills but also the business of law, client service and relationship building from day one. The discussion challenges many traditional assumptions about legal training. Rather than expecting trainees to learn through repetition and low-level tasks, Ian argues that simulation, on-demand learning and AI-powered coaching can dramatically accelerate development and create more confident, capable lawyers. He shares how Perkins Coie is using technology to transform legal education, from gamified learning platforms and virtual internships to AI avatars that coach communication, emotional intelligence and business skills. Drawing comparisons with professional sport and aviation, Ian questions why lawyers should continue learning primarily "on the job" when other industries rely heavily on simulation and structured training. The conversation also explores how AI is changing legal practice beyond document review. Ian explains why the biggest opportunity is not simply using tools like Harvey or Legora but redesigning legal workflows, creating scalable playbooks and removing repetitive tasks so lawyers can focus on higher-value client relationships and strategic advice. Beyond private practice, Ian discusses his time helping build Zero Gravity, the social mobility organisation founded on the principle that "talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't." He explains how technology is being used to create virtual internships that could give thousands of aspiring lawyers access to meaningful legal work experience regardless of their background. Throughout the episode, Ian returns to a central theme: that the future of law belongs to firms which prioritise talent development, embrace innovation and create cultures where collaboration, coaching and continuous learning replace hierarchy and repetition. 00:00 Introduction   00:30 Meet Ian Bagshaw   01:00 An Accidental Route Into Law   02:30 From Eversheds to Magic Circle   04:00 Discovering Private Equity   05:30 Cold Calling & Early Business Development   07:00 Why Client Relationships Still Matter   09:00 Building a Network & Origination   12:00 The Importance of Being Relevant   13:00 Life After Big Law   14:00 Launching Perkins Coie London   17:00 Building a Startup Culture Inside a Law Firm   18:30 The Legal Business Analyst Programme   21:00 Teaching the Business of Law   24:00 AI, Sales & The Future Lawyer   27:00 Innovation Beyond Harvey & Legora   30:00 Productising Legal Services   33:00 Why NDAs Shouldn't Take Hours   36:00 Client Experience Starts With Talent Experience   38:00 Rethinking Junior Lawyer Training   40:00 Simulators vs Learning on Live Matters   42:00 Gamified Learning & Virtual Training   44:00 AI Avatars & Emotional Intelligence Coaching   47:00 Why Traditional Training Is Changing   48:00 Measuring Talent Instead of Attrition   50:00 Homegrown Lawyers vs Buying Talent   52:00 Building Zero Gravity   54:00 Social Mobility & Legal Careers   55:00 Virtual Internships for Thousands of Students   57:00 The Future of Legal Education

Catherine Casazza, Senior Legal Counsel at Fidelity International — From Wall Street to the Buy Side

In this episode, Catherine Casazza shares her remarkable journey from aspiring actor to senior legal counsel at Fidelity International, offering an honest look at life across private practice, international opportunities and the investment management industry. Catherine reflects on growing up in Rhode Island before heading to the University of Southern California, initially pursuing acting before discovering mock trial and later the law. After graduating, she worked as a paralegal at Davis Polk in New York, where she was unexpectedly thrown into the world of derivatives and structured products. The conversation explores her experiences at the SEC, Cahill Gordon & Reindel and Sidley Austin, including relocating to Sydney to practise US capital markets law abroad. Catherine shares what it was really like working in offices overseas, balancing demanding workloads with the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures. Catherine discusses joining Kirkland & Ellis and transitioning from representing banks and financing sources to advising private equity-backed issuers. She reflects candidly on why she decided private practice was no longer the right fit and how she knew it was time to move in-house. A major focus of the episode is her current role at Fidelity International. Catherine provides a fascinating insight into life as buy-side counsel, sitting directly on the trading floor and advising investment teams on debt investments, high-yield bonds and restructurings. The discussion highlights how in-house lawyers often move beyond black-letter law to provide practical, risk-based guidance to internal stakeholders. Catherine also reflects on the cultural differences between private practice and in-house roles, including abandoning the billable hour, adapting to hot-desking and learning to thrive in a collaborative environment where colleagues become both teammates and internal clients. The conversation explores how AI is changing legal practice, with Catherine sharing how she uses Microsoft Copilot and Harvey AI in her day-to-day work. From drafting emails and improving clarity to reviewing lengthy offering memoranda, she explains how these tools are enhancing efficiency while raising important questions about training the next generation of lawyers. Beyond her legal career, Catherine discusses co-founding Muses in the City, a network bringing together women across London's professional community through arts, culture and heritage experiences. She reflects on the importance of finding your tribe, creating leadership opportunities outside the office and building meaningful relationships through shared interests. Finally, Catherine shares thoughtful advice for aspiring lawyers and trainees: stay curious, avoid rigid career plans, embrace opportunities when they arise and approach networking as an extension of friendship rather than a transactional exercise. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Catherine Casazza & Her Route Into Law   01:00 From Acting to Political Science   02:00 Working at Davis Polk as a Paralegal   03:00 Discovering Derivatives & Structured Products   04:00 Studying for the LSAT & Cornell Law School   05:00 The US Route to Qualification Explained   06:00 Summer Associateships & The SEC   08:00 Mock Trial, Acting & Communication Skills   10:00 Early Career Lessons in Authenticity   13:00 Moving to Sydney with Sidley Austin   15:00 Life in a US Satellite Office Abroad   18:00 Returning to New York   19:00 Relocating to London & Joining Kirkland   21:00 Transitioning from Sell Side to Buy Side   22:00 Moving In-House at Fidelity International   23:00 Life as Buy-Side Counsel   24:00 Understanding High-Yield Bonds   26:00 Investor Protections & Covenants Explained   28:00 Trading Floors vs Law Firms   30:00 Building Relationships with Internal Clients   33:00 The Benefits of Going In-House   35:00 Commercial Advice vs Black Letter Law   39:00 Risk Tolerance & Business Judgement   42:00 AI, Copilot & Harvey in Legal Practice   46:00 The Future of Junior Lawyer Training   52:00 Muses in the City & Leadership Outside Work   56:00 Advice for Trainees & Young Lawyers   59:00 Networking as Friendship   01:01:00 Awards, Recognition & Giving Back   01:03:00 What's Next for Catherine?