In this episode, Colin Gibson, who until recently was Head of Disputes at Fieldfisher, shares his journey from joining the firm as a trainee in 1997 to becoming a board member and one of its most senior litigators.

Colin reflects on what it takes to build a long-term career within a single law firm — from embracing early opportunities and finding the right practice area, to navigating partnership and leadership responsibilities over nearly three decades.

He discusses the evolution of Fieldfisher from a 40-partner London firm to a global business and what young lawyers often misunderstand about progression, mentorship and developing a reputation internally.

The conversation explores life as a disputes lawyer, including commercial litigation, arbitration and high-stakes client work — as well as the mindset required to handle pressure, uncertainty and complex client relationships.

Colin also shares candid views on hybrid working, law firm culture and why being physically present in the office still matters for junior lawyers developing their careers.

The episode dives into the impact of AI on the legal profession, from document review and pricing models to the broader question of how law firms will adapt in the years ahead.

Finally, Colin offers practical advice for trainees and junior lawyers — including how to deal with uncertainty early in your career, the importance of enthusiasm and resilience as well as why learning to take criticism well is essential for long-term success.

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Colin Gibson: Head of Disputes at Fieldfisher
02:00 Staying at One Firm for 30 Years
05:00 Training Contract and Early Career Experience
09:00 Mentorship and Learning as a Trainee
13:00 Choosing a Practice Area
17:00 Discovering Litigation and Arbitration
21:00 Early Responsibility and Client Exposure
25:00 How Law Firms Have Evolved
30:00 Becoming a Partner: What Changes?
34:00 Skills Needed to Succeed in Law
38:00 Life as a Commercial Litigator
42:00 Building a Client Base and Business Development
47:00 Law Firm Growth, Strategy and Mergers
52:00 Culture at Fieldfisher
56:00 AI and the Future of Law
01:01:00 Pricing, Efficiency and Changing Client Expectations
01:05:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
01:08:00 Career Reflections and Looking Ahead

In this episode, Adrianus shares his journey from starting his legal career in the Netherlands to becoming a partner advising on financial services, fintech and crypto across the Middle East.  

From the early days of domestic law firms to the rise of global legal networks, Adrianus explains how the industry has evolved — and what it’s like to be part of building financial centres from scratch in places like Dubai.  

He discusses his experience as a regulator, working on market infrastructure such as Euronext and how globalisation has reshaped both legal practice and financial markets.  

The conversation also explores the rapid development of the Middle East as a financial hub, including its approach to regulation, virtual assets and innovation in areas like crypto and payments.  

Finally, Adrianus shares practical advice for junior lawyers on taking ownership of their careers, embracing hard work and navigating long-term professional growth.  

00:00 Introduction  
00:30 Adrianus’ Early Career and Why He Chose Law  
02:00 Training as a Lawyer in the Netherlands  
04:30 Life as a Trainee in the Early 2000s  
07:00 The Rise of Big Law in Europe  
10:00 Becoming a Financial Markets Lawyer  
12:00 Moving into Regulation and Euronext  
15:00 Why Adrianus Moved to Dubai  
18:00 Building a Financial Centre from Scratch  
21:00 Life and Work in Dubai  
25:00 Working Across the Middle East  
28:00 Differences in Clients and Markets  
32:00 The Growth of Financial Services in the Region  
35:00 Crypto, Virtual Assets and Regulation  
40:00 Market Confidence and the Role of Regulators  
45:00 How Financial Markets Are Evolving  
50:00 Working at DLA Piper in the Middle East  
53:00 What Makes a Successful Lawyer Today  
57:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers  
01:01:00 Career Reflections and Looking Ahead  

In this episode, Martin Dowdall, a financial services regulatory partner at Taylor Wessing, shares his journey through the legal industry, specialising in payments, fintech, crypto and financial regulation.

From studying Russian at university to training at a Silver Circle firm and working across Magic Circle and US firms, Martin explains how he found his niche in financial services regulation and why non-law backgrounds can be a real advantage in the profession.

He discusses the differences between top-tier law firms, the rise of US firms in London and how the legal market has evolved over the past decade. Martin also shares insights into working with fast-growing fintech and crypto companies and how advising these clients differs from traditional financial institutions.

The conversation explores what clients actually value from lawyers, the importance of clear and practical advice and how reputation and network drive long-term success in private practice.

Martin also reflects on his first year as a partner — the challenges, responsibilities beyond legal work and the mindset shift required to succeed at that level.

Finally, he shares his perspective on AI in law, the future of crypto regulation and why experience, curiosity and strong communication skills remain critical in an evolving industry.

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Martin Dowdall: FinTech & FS Regulatory Lawyer
01:00 From Russian Degree to Law
03:00 Discovering Financial Services Regulation
06:00 Magic Circle vs Silver Circle
08:30 Rise of US Law Firms in London
10:00 Skills Needed to Succeed in Law
12:00 Mentors and Career Development
18:30 Moving into Payments, FinTech and Crypto
20:00 First Year as a Partner
23:00 Winning Clients and Building a Network
26:00 What is Financial Services Regulation?
27:30 FinTech vs Traditional Banking Clients
33:00 Working with Crypto Founders
37:00 The Future of Crypto Regulation (UK & EU)
41:00 AI in the Legal Industry
47:00 Career Highlights
53:00 Advice for Junior Lawyers
59:00 What’s Next in FinTech and Regulation

In this episode of the Legal Aura Podcast, Peter Jackson, former CEO of Hill Dickinson, shares his remarkable journey in the legal industry. 

From starting his career as a trainee in Liverpool to leading Hill Dickinson through exponential growth, Peter discusses his strategic decisions, the role of mentorship, cultural importance in mergers and the evolution of law firm operations. 

He also touches on personal challenges, such as almost leaving the firm early in his career and adapting to new media tools for modern legal practice. 

Finally, Peter reflects on his future post-CEO plans and the importance of adapting to change while maintaining core values.

00:00 Introduction to the Legal Aura Podcast
00:20 Meet Peter Jackson: Leading Hil Dickinson
01:02 Peter Jackson's Early Life and Education
11:48 Navigating Law School and Early Career Challenges
16:56 The Evolution of Law Firm Culture
18:42 Training and Mentorship in the Legal Profession
31:55 Acquisitions and Mergers: Growing Hil Dickinson
41:48 Investing in Business and Workforce
42:05 Evaluating Lateral Hires and Acquisitions
42:58 Challenges in Client Retention
43:31 Due Diligence and Client Feedback
47:32 Cultural Fit and Values in Hiring
48:52 Personal Career Reflections
52:09 Leadership and Mentorship
01:00:00 Media and Personal Branding for Lawyers
01:14:06 Summary and Future Plans