Studying Law Around the World

Hasan Mandviwalla spent 11 years in the UK legal system before returning to Pakistan to practice in a jurisdiction where enforcement is a daily challenge. In this episode, I sit down with Hasan (Partner at Mandviwalla & Zafar) to discuss why "adaptability" is the most important skill for a modern lawyer and why longevity is the only real metric of success. He shares his golden rule for career growth, "Always do instead of don't", and explains why waiting until you are ten years into your career to start networking is a mistake you can't afford to make.

This week on Studying Law Around the World, I sat down with Jorge Barona, an international lawyer based in Colombia who has spent the last decade supporting European Union-funded research and innovation projects. Jorge’s story is a testament to resilience. After a career setback and an injury in Colombia in 2013, he moved to France, reinvented his career, and carved out a unique niche supporting over 25 Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects. We discuss the cultural clash between traditional Latin American legal formalism and European practicality, the art of "Regulatory Mapping," and why he founded The Legal Explainer to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and attorneys.

In this episode, I sit down with Gary Mitchell, the founder of OnTrac Coach, who has spent over 20 years helping lawyers unlock their potential. We discuss the clash between the "Lawyer Mind" and the "Entrepreneur Mind," why perfectionism prevents freedom, and how to avoid the common burnout that hits around the 5-to-7-year mark. Gary explains his "AND Approach," showing how firm owners can achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment by learning to let go of control and build a trusted team.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Brett Colvin, the Co-founder and CEO of Goodlawyer. Brett began his career at Canada’s largest law firm, BLG, but his entrepreneurial spirit eventually hit a wall with the traditional billable hour model. In 2019, he left the firm to build a platform that reimagines how legal services are delivered.We discuss why the "Three D's" of law school (Duty, Deadlines, and Drudgery) are outdated and how AI and new business models can eliminate the "drudgery". Brett explains the rise of the Fractional General Counsel, a model that fills the massive gap between expensive external firms and hiring a full-time in-house lawyer.If you are a lawyer feeling stuck in the traditional path, or a business owner looking for flexible legal talent, this episode is a blueprint for the future of the profession.In this episode, we cover:The "Mo" Story: How a coffee shop owner inspired the name and mission of Goodlawyer.The "In-Between" Gap: Why companies need a solution that sits between expensive law firms and full-time employees.Killing the Drudgery: How technology is removing the mindless document review so lawyers can focus on strategy.The Fractional Revolution: Why top-tier legal talent is choosing flexibility and autonomy over the partnership track.The Retention Crisis: Why so many lawyers opt out of the profession after 5-10 years and how to fix it.About the Guest: Brett Colvin is the Co-founder and CEO of Goodlawyer, a platform connecting businesses with fractional legal talent. He practiced corporate law at BLG for over 4 years before launching Goodlawyer, which has since served over 5,000 clients and was recognized as one of Canada's "Top Growing Businesses" by the Globe and Mail.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Felicia Harris Hoss, a distinguished mediator and arbitrator who spent over 28 years as a complex commercial litigator before pivoting her practice from the courtroom to the "conference room".We discuss why less than 1% of cases actually go to trial and why the smartest lawyers are now prioritizing Early Dispute Resolution (EDR). Felicia explains the critical difference between serving as an "Advocate" versus a "Neutral" and breaks down the "Four C's of Mediation" (Confidentiality, Control, Creativity, and Certainty) that make it a superior alternative to traditional litigation.Felicia also shares her experience spearheading ABA Resolution 500, which urges lawyers to pursue voluntary resolution early rather than waiting for court orders, and offers advice for young lawyers on why "street cred" in the trenches is necessary before becoming a mediator. Whether you are a law student interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or a litigator looking to serve your clients better, this episode is a masterclass in conflict management.In this episode, we cover:The reality of court backlogs and why trials are delayed for years.The "Four C's" of Mediation: Confidentiality, Control, Creativity, and Certainty.The difference between an Advocate and a Neutral.How ABA Resolution 500 is changing the landscape of Early Dispute Resolution.Why employment disputes benefit specifically from early mediation to save reputations and morale.Career advice for lawyers who want to become mediators.About the Guest: Felicia Harris Hoss is an Independent Mediator and Arbitrator at Harris Hoss PLLC based in Houston, Texas. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN), and currently serves as Chair of the Houston Bar Association ADR Council. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for both Commercial Litigation and Mediation.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Jumi Odepe, the Principal at Jode Law Firm. Jumi is a dual-qualified lawyer (Canada & Nigeria) who describes herself as "the lawyer that stays with you", guiding founders from their first incorporation all the way to their exit.We discuss her incredible career pivot from practicing Criminal Law in Nigeria to becoming a Corporate Lawyer in Canada. Jumi breaks down the critical legal pillars every startup needs, why "DIY" incorporations often fail when raising capital, and why assigning Intellectual Property (IP) immediately is non-negotiable.If you are an internationally trained lawyer planning a career pivot, or a founder looking to protect your business, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Lameck Kefala, a Recruitment Consultant at Smith Legal Search. Lameck shares his unique journey from articling at a firm and working in legal tech to becoming a legal recruiter.We break down the current state of the Toronto legal market for 2026, revealing which practice areas are heating up (Infrastructure & M&A) and which are cooling down (Litigation). Lameck also explains the "3 to 5 Year Sweet Spot" for making a lateral move and offers a controversial take on why starting your career on Bay Street is like working at a fast food giant.If you are thinking about moving in-house, lateraling to a new firm, or just want to understand how headhunters evaluate your resume, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, we speak with Mónica Mora, an associate at Basham, Ringe y Correa in Mexico City, about building a meaningful legal career in corporate law and cross-border practice.Mónica shares her professional journey from working in-house at Nike to private practice, and how that experience shaped her approach to corporate law, M&A, foreign investment, and real estate transactions in Mexico. She explains how international companies enter the Mexican market, the regulatory and compliance issues they face, and the practical role lawyers play in supporting global business.The conversation also covers nearshoring in Mexico, foreign investment rules, anti money laundering compliance, labor considerations, and the growing expectations placed on corporate lawyers advising multinational clients.Beyond technical law, Mónica offers honest advice for law students and early career lawyers. She speaks about career development, patience, mentorship, sponsorship, soft skills, and the importance of building long-term professional relationships. She also discusses her involvement with the International Bar Association, teaching legal ethics, and supporting the next generation of lawyers.This episode is ideal for anyone interested in corporate law, M&A, foreign investment in Mexico, international legal careers, or realistic insights into the legal profession.Studying Law Around the World is a podcast focused on legal education, global legal careers, and cross-border perspectives from lawyers around the world.Subscribe for more conversations with legal professionals from different jurisdictions.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Aneka Jiwaji, a commercial and securities litigator who defied the status quo to build a brand on her own terms. Aneka was literally born into the profession, arriving just one day before her father's constitutional law exam, and she has navigated every corner of the legal market.We trace her journey from national insurance defense and "Big Law" to the BC Securities Commission and now to founding Jiwaji Law alongside her sister. Aneka explains why building a women-led firm is a cold, hard business decision rather than just a value statement and how young lawyers can reclaim agency over their careers.🎙️ About the Guest: Aneka Jiwaji is the Co-Founder and Litigation Counsel at Jiwaji Law in Vancouver. She holds an LLM in Securities Law from Osgoode Hall and previously served as Litigation Counsel for the British Columbia Securities Commission. She was long-listed for Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in 2023 and 2024.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Camila Motta, the founder of Revive Law. Camila shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to Canada and navigating the NCA process to launching her own firm during the height of the pandemic.We dive deep into the reality of "Fee Splitting" arrangements, why she chose the Law Practice Program (LPP) over traditional articling, and why she is now transitioning her practice to Collaborative Law, a model where lawyers sign a contract promising never to litigate the file.If you are interested in Family Law, starting a solo practice, or understanding the alternative pathways to licensing in Ontario, this episode is for you.About the Guest:Camila Motta is the Founder of Revive Law. She is a Brazilian-trained lawyer and Osgoode Hall LLM graduate who focuses on Family Law and Estate Planning. She advocates for helping clients "grow through their separation" by using collaborative methods that reduce conflict and cost.