Lawsy Originals

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?

Eleanor Wilson, Associate at Mishcon de Reya — On Intellectual Property, Fashion Law and the Future of AI

In this episode, Eleanor Wilson, associate at Mishcon de Reya specialising in intellectual property litigation, shares her unconventional route into law and explains how an early fascination with copyright and creativity led her into the world of IP litigation. Ellie reflects on discovering intellectual property law while still at school through literature, theatre and music, including negotiating copyright permissions for a youth theatre production and later developing a deep interest in how law protects creative works and innovation. The conversation explores her non-linear career path through academia, policy and legal practice, including working at the Law Commission of England and Wales on intellectual property reform before qualifying as a solicitor. Ellie discusses the importance of staying open-minded early in your career, trying different practice areas and pursuing genuine interests rather than simply following traditional legal career paths. Ellie also shares the unusual story of how helping a family member with a motorcycle-related IP dispute ultimately led to her securing a training contract at a specialist boutique IP firm in Leeds. The conversation explores the differences between working in a small boutique firm, a major US law firm and a UK international firm, including the trade-offs between responsibility, scale of work, culture and work-life balance. The episode also provides a fascinating insight into the breadth of intellectual property law, from fashion and music to food, software, trademarks, patents and confidential information disputes. Ellie discusses some of the major cases she has worked on, including the high-profile trademark dispute between Adidas and fashion designer Thom Browne involving stripe branding and trademark validity. The conversation explores how intellectual property law affects industries people may not immediately associate with IP, including food and drink, luxury brands, retail, technology and pharmaceuticals. Ellie also explains concepts including passing off, geographical indications and trade secrets, while discussing famous examples involving champagne, halloumi, oat milk and even lemon-shaped juice bottles. A major focus of the discussion is AI and legal technology, including the growing disputes surrounding AI training data, copyright ownership and the future regulation of generative AI systems. Ellie shares her perspective on how lawyers are actually using AI tools in practice today, including document comparison, proofreading and research assistance, while warning against over-reliance on AI-generated writing and applications. The episode also explores blockchain technology, NFTs and the potential future role of distributed ledgers in recording ownership and protecting intellectual property rights. Finally, Ellie discusses her pro bono work supporting small businesses and students through legal clinics, reflects on the importance of clear communication in legal advice and shares advice for aspiring lawyers on authenticity, curiosity and finding the right career path. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Eleanor Wilson & Her Route Into IP Law   01:00 Discovering Copyright Through Dickens & Theatre   02:00 Negotiating Copyright Permissions at 17   03:00 Policy, Academia & The Law Commission   04:00 Keeping an Open Mind Early in Your Career   06:00 Working at the Law Commission   07:00 Unjustified Threats & IP Enforcement   09:00 The Motorcycle Dispute That Led to a Training Contract   11:00 Publishing Legal Writing & Building a Profile   14:00 Training at a Boutique IP Firm in Leeds   16:00 Moving to Kirkland & Ellis   17:00 US Law Firm Culture & High Performance Expectations   18:00 Joining Mishcon de Reya   19:00 Major IP Litigation & Confidential Information Cases   20:00 Adidas vs Thom Browne Explained   22:00 Fashion, Branding & Trademark Disputes   23:00 Why Food Law is Full of IP Issues   24:00 Champagne, Halloumi & Oat Milk Disputes   26:00 Patent Litigation & International Enforcement   29:00 AI, Copyright & Training Data Disputes   32:00 Blockchain, NFTs & Ownership Verification   35:00 Evergreening, Patents & Pharmaceutical IP   39:00 AI Tools in Legal Practice   42:00 Pro Bono Work & Supporting Small Businesses   44:00 Giving Clear Advice to Clients   46:00 Final Reflections & What’s Next

Tristan Dollie, Partner at Brown Rudnick — On Special Situations, High Net Worth Clients and the Evolution of Modern Dealmaking

In this episode, Tristan Dollie, partner in Brown Rudnick’s special situations team, explains what “special situations” actually means in practice and why some of the most interesting deals in the market sit outside conventional legal structures. Tristan breaks down the three broad categories of special situations work and explains how his team combines legal expertise with investment banking and commercial advisory experience to help clients structure and execute unconventional transactions. The conversation explores the types of clients Brown Rudnick works with, including high net worth individuals, family offices, entrepreneurs and opportunistic investment funds, as well as how these relationships differ from working with traditional institutional clients. Tristan shares insights into how the firm sources work and develops client relationships, including travelling internationally to meet investors in places like Monaco and Dubai and why face-to-face interaction remains essential in a relationship-driven market. The episode dives into how special situations lawyers often go beyond purely legal work — sourcing opportunities, introducing equity partners, speaking to lenders and helping clients identify off-market assets and investment opportunities. Tristan explains how this approach differs from the traditional image of transactional law and why entrepreneurial thinking, commercial awareness and creativity are becoming increasingly valuable skills within modern legal practice. Tristan reflects on the unpredictability of deals in the special situations world, sharing examples of transactions that evolved completely differently from how they were originally structured and why adaptability is essential when operating in this environment. Tristan also discusses what makes a successful special situations lawyer, including curiosity, comfort with ambiguity and the ability to think creatively across multiple disciplines rather than simply applying standard precedents. The conversation then turns to broader market trends, including the growing investor interest in healthcare assets, care homes and alternative real estate investments, as well as the evolving future of offices, retail and mixed-use developments. Tristan shares insights into how shopping centres and retail assets are adapting post-COVID, including the increasing focus on entertainment, food and beverage offerings and experiential destinations rather than traditional retail alone. Finally, Tristan reflects on the changing nature of legal careers, why some of the most interesting opportunities exist outside traditional law firm structures and how young lawyers can differentiate themselves through commercial thinking and relationship building. 00:00 Introduction   00:20 Meet Tristan Dollie & Brown Rudnick   01:00 What is a Special Situations Team?   02:00 Complex Transactions, Distress & Litigation-Linked Deals   03:00 Working with Difficult Jurisdictions & Sanctions Issues   04:00 How Clients Are Sourced   05:00 Monaco, Dubai & Relationship-Driven Business Development   06:00 High Net Worth Individuals vs Institutional Clients   08:00 Bringing Additional Value Beyond Legal Advice   10:00 Sourcing Deals, Assets & Financing Opportunities   12:00 Lawyers Acting Like Investment Bankers   13:00 Entrepreneurial Law Firms vs Traditional Models   14:00 Brown Rudnick’s Approach to Dealmaking   15:00 What Makes a Good Special Situations Lawyer?   17:00 Why Curiosity & Creativity Matter   18:00 Working with Ultra High Net Worth Clients   20:00 How Different These Transactions Really Are   21:00 A Real Deal That Completely Changed Structure   23:00 Flexibility, Negotiation & Commercial Thinking   24:00 Hiring Lawyers from Non-Traditional Backgrounds   25:00 Market Trends: Healthcare & Care Homes   26:00 Retail, Offices & Alternative Asset Classes   27:00 E-Gaming, Shopping Centres & Experiential Retail   28:00 Why Retail Isn’t Dead   29:00 Final Reflections & Career Advice