Lessons I Learned in Law

In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Steven Berry.

Steven is the Legal Director for the European Nuclear & Power and Aerospace, Defence, Security and Technology businesses of SNC-Lavalin. SNC-Lavalin is a Canadian headquartered company that provides engineering, procurement, and construction services across a variety of sectors. Steven qualified in private practice with Speechly Bircham (which is now part of Charles Russell Speechlys) before moving in-house to Atkins (now part of the SNC-Lavalin group). 

Steven shares the three lessons she has learned in law including:

• Be bold enough to follow opportunities that align with your career interests.
• It’s important that lawyers are people too, so bring your personality and your whole self to work.
• Be prepared to take action, if you think there’s room for improvement in an organisation.

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Rachael Carolan.

Rachael is currently General Counsel and Director of Policy at London Based technology company what3words. Rachael was the company's first lawyer and has been responsible for setting up and growing the legal function. She qualified at Herbert Smith Freehills and moved in-house on qualification to Accenture and also spent time at 2 of London’s hottest startups, GoCardless and Deliveroo.

Rachael shares the three lessons she has learned in law including:

• Create your own path, rather than trying to follow a traditional one.
• It’s possible to add value as an in-house legal counsel, beyond the traditional legal role.
• In a B2C company, try to make legal part of the brand identity.

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Tonia Lovell.

Tonia spent 21 years working at Unilever, including as their Chief Legal Officer. She now has a portfolio career in non-executive roles and as an Executive Coach to lawyers and company secretaries.

Tonia shares the three lessons she has learned in law including:

• You do not have to be perfect. Being part of a team is often about helping to solve problems by seeking answers, rather than knowing the answer straight away.
• If you know what career role you want, speak up!
• Take some time to know what your personal values are, and always make sure your employer aligns with those values.

You can find out more about Tonia’s coaching at tlcuk.coach

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Randal Barker.

Randal is Group General Counsel of Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects.

Randal shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:

• You should focus on what you want to achieve in your career and how that fits into your life. Law can offer a variety of roles to suit your lifestyle and work for you!
• Taking ownership of issues as an in-house counsel
• Often as a General Counsel, you have to take role as Statesman, enforcing the Company’s values and ethics

Randal reflects on his education and upbringing, including at an outward bound school in Canada!

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Rohan Paramesh.  

Rohan is general counsel for Habito the UK’s leading mortgage company.

Rohan shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:

• How having the confidence to let your true personality shine through at work can be a huge boost to your career.
• Always be open minded and don’t be afraid to take risks.
• Always be an entrepreneur in everything you do. Think of yourself as a business builder first and a lawyer second.

Rohan also talks about becoming a dad, why he thinks he would do a great job as Arsenal Manger and how he came to sing on MTV!

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown speaks to Sara Scott.

Sara is Senior Counsel, Regulatory Counselling and Litigation at British American Tobacco.

Sara shares the three lessons he has learned in law including:

• How to build a team and invest in people that can support you
• How you shouldn’t tolerate bad behaviour, and how best to challenge behaviour you’re not comfortable with
• You won’t know it all, and that is OK!

Sara also talks about her role in the Military Wives Choirs charity, and recognises the inspirational people in her life that have helped her in the course of her career.

Presented by Scott Brown of Heriot Brown Legal Recruitment.

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Welcome to Lessons I Learned in Law.

Each week I, Scott Brown, sit down with someone from the legal profession to explore their professional successes as well as the challenges they've faced in their legal career. Hopefully the lessons they've learned in law can help you in your career.