Lessons I Learned in Law

Daniel Winterfeldt, General Counsel for EMEA and Asia at Jefferies, shares his powerful journey from Wall Street to London and from capital markets partner to in-house legal leader and diversity champion.

In this candid conversation, Daniel opens up about his early experiences as an openly gay lawyer navigating the stark culture shock of moving from New York to London in the early 2000s — a time when being out in the legal profession was far from the norm. This culture gap eventually led him to found the Interlaw Diversity Forum, a not-for-profit organisation driving inclusion, equity, and culture change in the legal sector for the past 17 years.

Daniel’s lessons are deeply human and widely applicable: the importance of putting people first in any legal function; how knowing what you don’t know is just as important as what you do; and why every problem has a solution — even if it’s not the one you expected.

This episode is packed with insight for anyone navigating leadership, career growth, or the structural challenges of the legal industry. Daniel also shares details of Interlaw’s Inclusive Recruitment Toolkit — a free, open-source guide every hiring manager should read — and some great podcast recommendations to expand your thinking.

Guest Recommendations:

• The Rest is Politics: US — Behind-the-scenes takes on US politics with Anthony Scaramucci & Katty Kay
• Blow Up — A behind-the-scenes deep dive into 90s fashion magazine culture
• Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell — Thought-provoking takes on overlooked stories and misunderstood moments

About Heriot Brown:

 At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.

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Lessons I Learned in Law with Amos Carrington, General Counsel & Company Secretary at Low Carbon

 Amos Carrington, General Counsel at Low Carbon, talks to Scott Brown about making the leap from private practice to leading a mission-driven renewable energy legal team.

 In this episode, Scott catches up with Amos Carrington, General Counsel at Low Carbon, a fast-growing renewable energy company. Amos shares practical, candid lessons about trusting your instincts, prioritising workplace culture, and seeing feedback as a gift.

He reflects openly on his transition from Herbert Smith Freehills—including his pivotal secondment in Tokyo—to leading an expanding in-house legal team through Low Carbon’s scale-up journey. Amos highlights why culture and mission alignment have been essential to his career fulfilment and shares personal insights from his time abroad and his passion for music.

A great listen for anyone at a career crossroads looking for genuine insights into in-house leadership.

Amos’s Recommendations:

• Podcast: The Age of Longevity – Music industry insights from artists who've stood the test of time.
• Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – An entertaining, timeless cautionary tale on environmental responsibility.

About Heriot Brown:
 
At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.

Mike Sosso, EVP for Legal at BP, joins Scott Brown to discuss his transition from specialist competition lawyer to strategic global leader of a 400-strong legal team.

In this episode, Scott welcomes Mike Sosso, Executive Vice President for Legal (Group GC) at BP, overseeing a global legal team of over 400 professionals. Mike shares candid insights into his journey from an antitrust specialist to one of the most senior legal roles at BP, highlighting how curiosity, allyship, and commercial thinking shaped his leadership style.

Mike’s three powerful lessons focus on embracing curiosity over certainty, becoming genuinely commercial in approach, and proactively owning your career path. He openly discusses how stepping outside his comfort zone and seeking opportunities beyond his specialist background transformed his career trajectory, moving from deep subject expertise to strategic leadership roles across multiple business areas within BP.

Highlights from the conversation include Mike's reflections on the realities of leading a global team, the practical steps he recommends for lawyers aiming to become more commercially minded, and how a pivotal mentorship conversation changed his perspective on career growth. Mike also addresses the importance of allyship and diversity, sharing his personal experience as one of the few openly gay General Counsels at a global corporation, and how active allyship across different communities has influenced his leadership approach.

Mike closes the conversation with insightful recommendations:

Mike’s Recommendations:

• Book: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown – an inspiring story offering powerful lessons on teamwork, leadership, and overcoming perceived limitations.
• Podcasts: 
  • Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (NPR) – A humorous and informative take on current events. 
  • Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris – Practical mindfulness strategies for professionals seeking greater clarity and balance.

About Heriot Brown:

At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.

In the final episode of Season 6, Scott Brown is joined by Katja Roth Pellanda, Group General Counsel at Zurich Insurance. Katja shares her journey from a corporate law associate to managing a global legal function of 500+ lawyers.

Her story is a masterclass in career growth, highlighting how being visible, strategic, and vocal can elevate your career.

Key Lessons from Katja:

1. Visibility Matters:
   Early in her career, Katja focused solely on delivering exceptional legal work, believing it would be enough for recognition. However, she realised that visibility and storytelling were equally important for career advancement.
2. Learn to Market Yourself:
   Katja speaks about shifting her mindset to actively communicate her value—not just in the quality of her legal advice, but in demonstrating leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking.
3. Transforming Leadership:
   Katja’s focus on visibility, paired with her curiosity and willingness to tackle challenges, has propelled her into a leadership role, managing a global legal function that spans continents and cultures.

Standout Moments:

• How Katja balances being a strategic leader while fostering a collaborative team culture.
• The innovative initiatives her legal team is implementing, from secondments with UBS to internal leadership programmes.
• Her advice for legal professionals: Be more than a “working bee”—showcase your strategic value.

Katja’s Recommendations:

• Book: Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire by Rebecca Henderson – Insights into integrating sustainability with profitability.
• Podcast: Rethinking by Adam Grant – Thought-provoking conversations on leadership and innovation.

About Heriot Brown:
At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.

In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, we welcome Aki Hussein, a seasoned legal professional turned founder / entrepreneur. As Chief Legal Officer and Co-Founder of TerraPay, Aki shares his unique journey from Big Law to the bustling streets of Nairobi and eventually to founding an international payments company.

His career exemplifies the intersection of law and entrepreneurship, showcasing how legal expertise can drive impactful innovation.

We delve into how lawyers can harness their training to succeed beyond traditional roles, with actionable insights for legal professionals considering a shift in their career paths.

Key Lessons from Aki:

Focus on the Fruit Flies:

Aki shares how small, seemingly insignificant experiments in life can teach profound lessons.

Bet on Yourself:

Aki encourages legal professionals to trust their instincts and take calculated risks. Drawing from his decision to co-found TerraPay, he highlights how betting on oneself opens doors to creativity and professional growth.

Love vs. Fear:

Aki reflects on how decisions are often rooted in either love or fear. He challenges lawyers to overcome fear-driven mindsets and embrace opportunities for growth and connection.

This is real practical advice for lawyers considering non-traditional career paths, including the importance of incremental steps and self-reflection.

Book and Podcast Recommendations from Aki:

Book: High Output Management by Andy Grove – A tactical guide to systems thinking and team optimisation.

Podcast: The Professor G Podcast by Scott Galloway – An engaging resource for understanding complex topics like AI and market trends, with a dose of humour and practical insights.

About Heriot Brown:
 Lessons I Learned in Law is brought to you by Heriot Brown, the in-house legal recruitment specialists dedicated to helping lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Our mission extends beyond job placements, fostering a vibrant community that connects legal professionals with valuable insights and opportunities.

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In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown is joined by Nick Raymond, General Counsel for Corporate and Group Functions at Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurers. Nick shares his unique career journey from private practice at Clifford Chance to leading a global team at Swiss Re, spanning legal functions like M&A, ESG, asset management, and more.

Nick’s reflections on embracing opportunities, lifelong learning, and prioritising team dynamics offer valuable insights for lawyers navigating career growth and leadership challenges.

Listen in as Nick discusses:

• The Role of Luck and Opportunity: Why recognising and seizing opportunities, even when they’re risky, can lead to career breakthroughs.
• Learning from Setbacks: How challenges and failures have helped him grow professionally, and why every experience is a learning opportunity.
• The Power of Teamwork and Fun: Why enjoying your work and fostering a positive team environment is key to long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Ride Your Luck: Nick shares how taking risks and being flexible have opened doors in his career, from private practice to managing a global team at Swiss Re.
• Continuous Learning: Adopting a mindset of curiosity and growth has helped Nick adapt and thrive in a complex, ever-changing legal environment.
• Have Fun Along the Way: Nick reflects on the importance of maintaining perspective, building strong team relationships, and not taking yourself too seriously in a demanding profession.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Podcast Recommendation: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
• Book Recommendations:
  • Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Amazon link
  • Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Amazon link

Whether you’re curious about what it takes to lead a large in-house legal function or seeking career advice on stepping outside your comfort zone, Nick’s journey provides practical and inspiring insights for legal professionals at all stages of their careers.

In this episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown is joined by Anoop Joshi, Chief Trust Officer at Trustpilot. Anoop's unique career journey from private practice to leading trust, transparency, and legal operations for one of the world’s leading review platforms offers insights for any lawyer looking to break new ground. With a background that blends law, tech, and business, Anoop shares the key lessons that have shaped his approach to legal practice, leadership, and career growth.

Listen in as Anoop discusses:

• Why project management is a powerful skill for any in-house lawyer, and his approach to making complex projects succeed.
• The importance of broadening one’s perspective and looking beyond traditional legal disciplines.
• The value of defining and sticking to personal principles, even when navigating the complex intersection of law and ethics in tech.

Whether you're curious about the evolving role of legal leadership in the digital age or seeking practical advice on career management, Anoop's journey is filled with valuable takeaways for any legal professional.

Key Takeaways:

1. Project Management as a Career Supercharger: Anoop shares how developing project management skills can set lawyers apart in in-house roles and why empathy and understanding stakeholder needs are vital.
2. Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon: The impact of exposure to various disciplines is a recurring theme, as Anoop reflects on how his non-traditional career path has shaped his approach to law.
3. Stick to Your Principles: Learn why Anoop believes defining and adhering to personal values and professional "red lines" is essential, particularly in high-stakes roles that blend legal and ethical considerations.
4. Bringing Tech to Law: From his days in software engineering to leading Trustpilot’s legal operations, Anoop discusses the benefit of blending tech with legal for greater impact.
5. The Chief Trust Officer Role: Dive into what it means to head up trust and transparency for a platform like Trustpilot, managing everything from content integrity to compliance.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Connect with Anoop Joshi on LinkedIn
• The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
• Lex Fridman Podcast

This week on Lessons I Learned in Law, Scott Brown sat down with Sandrine Auffret, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, and Company Secretary at ASML. Sandrine invited Scott to ASML’s podcast studio on their impressive Eindhoven campus—a city with a rich legacy in tech and innovation.

Sandrine’s journey from healthcare law to tech is packed with insights. She’s been leading ASML’s legal team as it grew from 37 to over 100, all while adapting to one of the most rapidly evolving industries in the world. They dive into what it takes to lead legal in such a high-stakes environment, her approach to balancing growth and well-being, and why staying curious has been her superpower.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adapting to New Challenges: Sandrine moved from healthcare to high-tech and learned the value of adapting and growing with each role.
2. Building a Strong, Strategic Legal Team: From 37 to 100+—Sandrine shares what it took to transform ASML’s legal function into a proactive partner in the business.
3. Authenticity in Leadership: Leading with integrity is non-negotiable for Sandrine, and she talks about the importance of keeping her team motivated and supported.
4. Navigating Cultural Shifts: Moving to a new country and industry brought challenges, but it’s shaped her unique approach to leadership.
5. Preparation and Resilience: Sandrine is big on preparation and resilience, encouraging her team to think ahead and tackle challenges together.

In this episode of 'Lessons I Learned in Law', Scott Brown interviews Kelly Young, General Counsel and Executive Director at Marie Curie, one of the UK's biggest charities. 

Kelly shares her journey from private practice to in-house counsel, emphasising the importance of authenticity, curiosity, and understanding risk and governance in the legal profession. She discusses her role in building teams and navigating challenges in getting to that position, while also providing practical advice on personal development and setting oneself up for success in a demanding career.

If you're considering a transition from private practice to in-house, you won't want to miss this episode!

On this week’s show, Scott Brown is joined by David Lancelot, Chief Legal Officer and EVP for Advocacy at LawVu. 

With over 20 years of experience building and optimising international in-house legal teams, David is a real leader in legal innovation. In this episode, they explore his career journey—from traditional legal roles to his work at LawVu, a company transforming legal operations through technology.

David shares insights on the evolving landscape of in-house legal functions, highlighting the need for modernisation and a shift in mindset. They discuss how legal teams are moving from risk management to becoming key business partners, and the importance of aligning your career with what really motivates you.

They also cover leadership, managing teams, and how legal operations can help scale efficiency. David’s advice on networking, self-reflection, and embracing non-traditional career paths—such as privacy or legal operations—are just some of the key takeaways from this engaging conversation.

If you’re interested in the future of in-house law and want to hear from someone shaping the industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!