This week in Episode 11 of the Legal Genie podcast, your host, Lara Quie is in conversation with legal tech evangelist, Giles Thompson of document automation, negotiation and analytics company, Avvoka. It has offices based in London and Singapore. 

As Avvoka's Head of Growth based in London, Giles works with leading law firms, in-house legal teams, and businesses to help them draft documents, negotiate them, and leverage data insights from that process to draft better documents, and get to “yes” faster.

He also spends lots of time designing and creating bespoke document automation solutions for clients and making Avvoka’s core product offering better for users.

Before joining Avvoka, Giles worked as a city lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills and Kirkland & Ellis and also has in-house experience working for BP’s in-house legal team and in the regulatory division of PAX Labs.

 

In this episode Giles shares:

·         His childhood growing up on a farm in Norfolk.

·         His degree at Bristol University and why he chose to go into law.

·         How he reached out to people asking for their advice.

·         His experience of law school.

·         His legal training contract at Herbert Smith Freehills in London and how he managed dyslexia and dyspraxia.

·         Doing a 6-month secondment at BP in their technology, media, and telecoms division. 

·         What he qualified into and why.

·         His time as an associate in the intellectual property group. 

·         How legal technology first entered his universe and how he saw himself being able to add value.

·         His role as Head of Growth at Avvoka.

·         About the Avvokka Academy and why it was setup. 

·         How small and mid-sized law firms and in-house teams can take their first steps into document automation.

·         What his dream is for legal documentation automation. 

Learn more about Giles Thompson:

You can connect with Giles here: 

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gilesathompson

https://avvoka.com/

Also:

·         If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

·         Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie as follows:

·         On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

·         If you have a question or guest idea, please do drop Lara a line at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Send us a text

Lara Q Associates
A boutique business and executive coaching consultancy

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 10 of the Legal Genie podcast, your host, Lara Quie is in conversation with Daniel Lo. Daniel is a private equity lawyer and is triple-qualified in Canada, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands. 

He was born in Hong Kong, and proudly calls Canada his home. He is currently working as a legal counsel in-house at UBS in Singapore and is focusing on investment funds and asset management. 

Outside of his day job, Daniel is a passionate community creator and provides mentorship and career coaching to law students and junior lawyers from around the world, assisting with international career pivots and personal branding strategies.

He is the creator of LegalGrounds, an online platform created for the Singapore legal community to encourage collaboration and mentorship.

He is also the head of legal for Voices of Asia, a Singapore-based social enterprise that supports mentorship with youth and young professionals, 

Daniel is an executive committee member of the Canadian Alumni Network Singapore, a professional association that promotes continued relations between Singaporeans and Canadians.

Daniel is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion and is proudly a founder of Global Lawyers of Canada, a national professional association that supports internationally trained lawyers and diversity in the Canadian legal profession. 

In this episode Daniel shares:

·         His international background 

·         His multiple studies and reason for going into law

·         His reasons for studying abroad

·         His first job as an ISDA negotiator

·         Getting a training contract with Dentons LLP in Calgary, Canada

·         Qualifying into energy law as an Associate 

·         Moving back overseas and finding an in-house role at an asset management firm in Hong Kong

·         Having mentors and giving back

·         Moving to offshore firm, Walkers LLP in Singapore

·         His advice on when to move in-house

·         Moving back in-house at UBS

·         His passion project: LegalGrounds – its community and mission

·         Lawyers of the future and how they need to focus on building their technological acumen and personal brand

 

Learn more about Daniel Lo:

You can connect with Daniel here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danlo/

https://www.legalgrounds.asia/

Also:

·         If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

·         Look out for the next episode coming soon.

 

You can connect with Lara Quie as follows:

·         On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Website:

Send us a text

Lara Q Associates
A boutique business and executive coaching consultancy

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 9 of the Legal Genie podcast, your host, Lara Quie is in conversation with Kai Schneider, Singapore Managing Partner of Clifford Chance, one of the global elite law firms. We talk about his career journey and what he has learnt along the way. 

Kai is the head of the Funds and Investment Management group in Singapore. With over 20 years of experience as a US qualified lawyer, Kai has particular expertise in the funds sector, advising clients on fund formation and investment in a wide variety of private investment funds. He regularly advises sponsors on accessing the US and EU markets as well as on regional licensing and securities laws.

He has been ranked as a recommended lawyer in Chambers Global and the Legal 500 since 2012.

In this episode Kai discusses:

·         His background and love of basketball

·         Why he became a lawyer

·         His law studies and training at Weil Gotshal

·         Joining Clifford Chance as an associate

·         Opening the Dubai office of Latham & Watkins and becoming a partner

·         Moving back to Clifford Chance in Singapore

·         Leading by example

·         Being a team player

·         Advice for young lawyers

 

Learn more about Kai:

You can connect with Kai here: https://www.cliffordchance.com/people_and_places/people/partners/sg/kai-niklas_schneider.html

 

Also:

·         If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

·         Look out for the next episode coming next week 

 

You can connect with Lara as follows:

·         On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

·         If you have a question or guest idea, please do drop Lara a line at [email protected]

 

Send us a text

Lara Q Associates
A boutique business and executive coaching consultancy

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week on Episode 8 of the Legal Genie Podcast with me, your host, Lara Quie, I am delighted to have “the happy solicitor” himself, Jay Sahota, Owner and Senior Partner at Jarmans Solicitors.

Jay read law at Cambridge University and trained at Allen & Overy in London. After qualification, he specialized in dispute resolution and worked at several firms including city and regional firms such as Howrey, Lawrence Graham, Pittman’s, Fisher Meredith and DMB law. 

In 2015, he set up his own firm and later moved on to take over Jarmans Solicitors based in Sittingbourne in Kent. He has been there for the past three years managing and leading the firm. He enjoys complex litigation and the tactical challenges and variety of commercial practice.

Jay is a passionate networker and connector. He loves bringing people together and collaborating with others. In his spare time Jay enjoys doing magic and showing his children new tricks. 

Jay talks about the following topics:

·         The inspiration for his journey into law.

·         What he enjoyed at law school.

·         His time as a trainee at Allen & Overy.

·         The transition from corporate law into dispute resolution at Howree.

·         Moving from Lawrence Graham and The City to regional firm, Pittman’s in Reading.

·         The importance of having mentors.

·         Being a “networking king” and why he so enjoys it.

·         The challenges of being a business owner, especially during COVID times. 

·         His three “Hs”: honest, humble, and hungry.

·         Mental health and remaining connected at Jarmans.

·         Why he got into magic and why he still loves it. 

Learn more about Jay Sahota:

·         Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysahota/

·         His firm’s website: https://www.jarmanssolicitors.co.uk/

Also:

·         If you liked this episode, please do rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

·         Look out for the next episode coming next week and have a great day.

·         You can connect with Lara on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

·         If you have a question or guest idea please do drop Lara a line at [email protected]

 

Send us a text

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 7 of the Legal Genie podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Adam Freeman, who recently stepped down after 15 years as a senior partner in the banking practice of the London office of Linklaters LLP. 

After 25 years as a hard-working finance lawyer advising on financing transactions principally relating to acquisitions, Adam decided that he was ready to find more of a balance in his life and prioritize his health and wellbeing. 

Since September 2019 he has also been part-time Chairman of the Bransford Trust and of Lateral Life, an exclusive travel design business, of which he has been a fan since taking a sabbatical trip with his family in 2013. 

We discuss Adam’s 10 KEY LESSONS for lawyers that he put in a LinkedIn post on his retirement:
 
 1. Culture is not what you preach, it is what you tolerate.
 2. Always see the funny side.
 3. Earn your partnership every day.
 4. Even clever lawyers need decisive leaders.
 5. Be honest with yourself and each other: strengths and weaknesses.
 6. Each cog is important: spend time talking to everyone in the firm.
 7. Don't be afraid to push outside your comfort zone.
 8. Be the best version of yourself that you can be.
 9. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
 10. Celebrate all successes, however small.

We also talk about:

·         His journey into law. 

·         His path to partnership.

·         Having personal values.

·         Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. 

·         His advice for young lawyers.

·         His new life after law.

Learn more about Adam Freeman:

·         E-mail: [email protected]

·         Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-freeman-393b099/

·         http://www.laterallife.com/

·         http://www.bransfordtrust.org/

 Also:

If you liked this episode, please do rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

Look out for the next episode coming next week and have a great day.

You can connect with Lara:

·         on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Via her Website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

·         Or if you have a question or guest idea please do drop Lara a line at [email protected]

 

Send us a text

Lara Q Associates
A boutique business and executive coaching consultancy

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 6 of the Legal Genie Podcast, your host, Lara Quie, is in conversation with a sister and brother team of legal recruiters. Annie Tang and Chris Tang are the co-founders and co-Managing Directors of the Star Anise Group, a specialist legal and compliance recruitment agency, flexible outsourcing company, and leadership and training provider based in Hong Kong. 

Annie and Chris are both former practising lawyers and working parents. 

Annie read English at the University of Lancaster in the UK and qualified as a solicitor specialising in dispute resolution with an international law firm in Hong Kong. After practising for a number of years she switched into legal recruitment in 2005. 

Chris read law at the University of Exeter in the UK and qualified as a corporate solicitor with Irwin Mitchell. He went on to practice in corporate M&A and private equity until he moved to Hong Kong in 2010 and co-founded Star Anise with Annie. 

In this episode we discussed:

·         Chris and Annie’s background

·         Their journey into law and training

·         Moving to Hong Kong

·         Their legal career and subsequent switch into legal recruitment 

·         Starting Star Anise 

·         The main challenges of being business owners

·         Developments in legal recruitment and what firms are looking for

·         Lateral hiring

·         Advice for young lawyers

 

Learn more about Annie and Chris:

·         Connect with Annie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-tang-0374892/

·         Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangchris/

·         Their website: https://www.staranise.com.hk/about-us/team.html

Also:

·         If you liked this episode, please do rate the show and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

·         Look out for the next episode coming next week and have a great day.

·         You can connect with Lara on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

·         Website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

·         If you have a question or guest idea please do drop Lara a line: : [email protected]

 

 

Send us a text

Lara Q Associates
A boutique business and executive coaching consultancy

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 5 of the Legal Genie Podcast, your host, Lara Quie, is joined by Sara Carnegie, Director of Legal Projects at the International Bar Association.

Sara has spent the bulk of her career working with the public sector in collaboration with influential government ministers, officials, the senior judiciary, lawyers, and law enforcement on a range of issues. 

She was the Director of Strategic Policy, at the Crown Prosecution Service and Legal Advisor to the Senior Presiding Judge, which involved leading the judicial team and working with the Lord Chief Justice, Government, and key stakeholders to implement broadcasting in the Court of Appeal.

She has also led the legal teams for two high profile and sensitive public inquiries (the Detainee Inquiry and the Baha Mousa Enquiry), resulting in far-reaching change across relevant government departments. 

She sits in a judicial capacity on the council of the Inns of Court Disciplinary Tribunal and the Advisory Board for the National Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse.

Her current role as Director of Legal Projects at the International Bar Association involves working in a global capacity leading a legal team who research, develop, and implement innovative projects relevant to business, the rule of law, the global legal profession and wider community. 

Significant projects include bullying, sexual harassment, and addressing mental wellbeing in the legal profession, modern slavery and cybersecurity. 

Sara is currently a member of the IBA Diversity and Inclusion Council and Rule of Law Forum and plays a central role in running initiatives and events to support both entities.

In this episode she shares:

• Her background and why she became a barrister
• Her pupillage and challenges at the criminal bar
• Moving into the civil service and prosecuting for Revenue & Customs prosecutions office
• Motherhood and juggling a legal career
• Working in the civil service and public enquiries 
• Her role as Legal advisor to the Senior Presiding Judge and bringing broadcasting into the Royal Courts of Justice
• Her fascination with crime
• Her role as Director of strategic policy at the Crown Prosecution Service and having a resilient mindset
• Moving into the not-for-profit sector and her work at the International Bar Association
• The importance of building relationships
• The importance of mental health and wellbeing 
• Having passion and purpose 
• Her key advice for young lawyers 

You can connect with Sara Carnegie on her LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-carnegie-93942898

 

You can connect with Lara Quie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

Email: [email protected]

Or her website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

Please subscribe and review the podcast so that others can find it. 

You may also enjoy Lara’s other podcast, The Coach Potatoes, which can be foun

Send us a text

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week in Episode 4 of the Legal Genie podcast, Lara Quie interviews John van der Luit-Drummond, former editor of The Legal 500. 

Episode Notes

This week on the Legal Genie Podcast, our host, Lara Quie, was delighted to be joined by John van der Luit-Drummond. 

Many of you will be familiar with John’s name due to his former role as the Editor of the Legal 500’s UK Bar and Asia Pacific directories, and as the Editor of its magazine, fivehundred. 

John read law at the University of Kent and went on to do the Legal Practice Course at The University of Law in London.

After working in both City and regional law firms as a paralegal, John embarked on a career as a legal journalist and reporter writing extensively on personal injury, criminal justice reform, human rights, and intellectual property issues.

He spent time at World Trademark Review and then the Solicitors Journal, where he became the Deputy Editor. In 2016 he was shortlisted for the Halsbury legal journalism award and his work has appeared in publications including GC Magazine, New Law Journal, Managing Partner, Young Lawyer, and Private Client Adviser.

John joined the Legal 500 in 2017 and this month he has taken on an exciting new role as the Editor-in-Chief of Portobello Legal Media, a boutique publishing house, specialising in the provision of news, information, and analysis to the international legal market.

In the conversation John discusses:

·         Why he chose to study law.

·         What he did after the LPC.

·         Why he moved into legal journalism.

·         His time at the Legal 500.

·         fivehundred and the Legal 500 podcast.

·         Mental health and diversity in the legal profession.

·         The launch of Portobello Legal Media.

 

You can connect with John van der Luit-Drummond on LinkedIn at
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvdld

Or his personal website: www.jvdld.com

 

You can connect with Lara Quie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

Email: [email protected]

Or her website: https://www.laraqassociates.com

 

 

 

Send us a text

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week on the Legal Genie Podcast, our host, Lara Quie, speaks to Katie Lipp. 

Katie is the owner of The Lipp Law Firm, PC and Law Practice Queen, LLC consultancy in Washington DC and Virginia. She has practiced as an employment attorney for more than a decade. Stressed out and suffering from post-natal depression and anxiety, Katie sought help and discovered a new path. She opened her own firm in July 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. In addition, she set up a consulting practice called Law Practice Queen to help other lawyers start firms, get clients, and expand their legal practice. 

In this episode Katie and Lara discuss:

·         Katie’s route into law through law school and early career in US Government agencies.

·         Her move into the private sector and the restrictive nature of traditional law firms.

·         Her experience of working as an employment lawyer in a large firm.

·         Discovering coaching and changing her mindset to design her ideal life.

·         Taking the leap and setting up her own firm.

·         Starting Law Practice Queen to support other women lawyers.

·         How she builds her book of business and advice for other lawyers.

You can connect with Katie Lipp:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katielippemploymentlaw

Websites: www.lipplawfirm.com and www.lawpracticequeen.com

You can connect with Lara Quie:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

Website: www.laraqassociates.com

Email: [email protected] 

If you enjoyed this episode, please Subscribe and Review the podcast so that others can find it. 

Send us a text

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

This week on the Legal Genie Podcast, our host, Lara Quie interviews Terri Mottershead, innovator, podcaster, author, and the Executive Director for the Centre for Legal Innovation at the College of Law in Australia. 

Terri is based in Brisbane, Australia, and has been a thought leader in people centered legal practice innovation for more than 25 years. She works internationally with leaders and managers of law firms, legal departments, community legal centres, alternative legal service/product providers, legal associations, legal incubators and accelerators, legal tech entrepreneurs, law schools, business schools, business professionals and lawyers, supporting their contribution to the transformation of legal practice. 

Prior to joining the Centre in 2016, Terri was a practising lawyer specialising in corporate/commercial and environmental law. She subsequently transitioned into leading the in-house talent management departments for firms and associations including Lex Mundi, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) and DLA Piper LLP (US). She also led or taught on practical legal education initiatives in law schools in Asia, Australia and the US.

 In 2010, Terri founded Mottershead Consulting in the US, and later expanded it to Australasia, to focus on supporting lawyers, legal business specialists and law firms in identifying, developing and transforming their capabilities and practices to a new way of delivering legal services/products to the market.

 Terri has served on more than 50 boards and committees for not-for profit, for profit, legal associations and organisations. Terri’s work in legal practice management globally was recognised with her appointment as a Fellow of the US College of Law Practice Management. Her work in legal innovation has likewise been recognised through invitations to judge legal industry awards including the Professional Development Consortium Innovation Award (US), The Legal Forecast/QUT Starters Queensland Disrupting Law Hackathon, and the ALPMA/LexisNexis Innovation Thought Leadership Award. 

Terri was recently appointed as the representative for Australia on the Asia-Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association Advisory Board and profiled as a legal industry thought leader by McCullough Robertson for its Year 101: Women in Law initiative.

Terri is a frequent keynote speaker at legal industry events and contributes regularly to legal industry publications on the future of legal profession, practical legal education and law firm talent management.

In this episode Terri talks about:

·         Her background and journey into law

·         Her move from private practice into professional development

·         Her subsequent move into pracademic consulting

·         Her passion for thinking about how to do things differently

·         How technology has impacted law firms

·         How the legal ecosystem includes talented specialists in other fields

·         The billable hour vs. fixed fees

·         Use of the term “non-lawyer”

·         How coaching has helped her develop a growth mindset

Please support the Legal Genie podcast and help others find it by rating and reviewing it 

Send us a text

Support the show

Also:

· If you liked this episode, please rate the show, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts to help the Legal Genie reach a wider audience.

· Look out for the next episode coming soon.

You can connect with Lara Quie:

· On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie

· Website: The Legal Genie Podcast (buzzsprout.com)