Toronto lawyer Yonida Koukio works at Oziel Law helping startups from idea to exit. She blends corporate, tech, and IP work with hands-on legal innovation. In this episode, Yonida shares her path from Athens to Toronto, how she carved a hybrid role as a corporate tech lawyer and innovation lead, and what founders really need from counsel beyond templates. We talk about fixed fees, productized services, automation that actually helps clients, and how to scale legal support as a startup grows. Yonida also explains common cross-border gaps she sees when civil law founders enter the Canadian market, and why young lawyers should master core corporate work before picking a niche.

In this episode, Billy Rusteen, a former Microsoft, GitHub, and Databricks lawyer, shares how he transitioned from litigation to in-house and built My In-House Coach to help others do the same. Billy explains what hiring managers really look for, how to write resumes that stand out, and how to make your first 90 days as an in-house counsel count.

We discuss in-house legal strategy, career pivots, tech industry growth, and practical tips for lawyers moving from law firms to corporate teams.

What you will learn:

• How to move from firm to in-house successfully

• Resume tips that attract real interviews

• Product counsel and commercial contract insights

• Why curiosity and learning agility matter more than pedigree

• First 90 days: what to focus on for early wins

• Building credibility in tech and global companies

• Career advice for new and mid-level lawyers

Keywords for search:
in house lawyer, product counsel, tech law, Microsoft legal, GitHub legal, Databricks legal, legal career transitions, legal resume, in house playbook, law students, legal mentorship, how to go in house, My In-House Coach, Billy Rusteen, legal careers podcast

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and early career lessons
06:40 From litigation to in-house
14:10 Resume mistakes and how to fix them
22:00 The 90-day in-house roadmap
34:00 Lessons from Microsoft, GitHub, and Databricks
42:00 Coaching lawyers to succeed
50:00 Building authentic visibility online

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, host Claudio Klaus speaks with Carlos Romero, University of Chicago Law LLM graduate and international arbitration fellow at White & Case in Washington, D.C.

Carlos explains how international lawyers can use an LLM to build real professional experience in the United States. He shares his story from Mexico to UChicago, the process of joining White & Case, and his return to Chihuahua to grow new ventures.

Topics covered:

• LLM scholarships and application strategies

• Fellowship and foreign associate programs at U.S. law firms

• Networking during the LLM year

• Legal writing for arbitration practice

• Building a professional network on LinkedIn

• OPT, H-1B, and TN visa pathways (general overview only)

Keywords: LLM, University of Chicago Law, White & Case, international arbitration, legal networking, foreign associate program, Latin America law, legal writing, cross-border law careers, business development for lawyers, OPT visa, H-1B visa, TN visa, Mexico lawyers, U.S. legal careers, international lawyer podcast.

Guest: Carlos Romero, LLM (University of Chicago Law), International Arbitration Fellow at White & Case LLP, Washington, D.C.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X

Managing Partner at Loopstra Nixon, former Shearman and Sterling associate, corporate lawyer focused on transactions and healthcare, U of T Law grad.

Peter Saad joins me to unpack a career that began in New York during the 2008 financial crisis and led to firm leadership in Canada. Peter explains how the capital markets freeze shaped his approach to execution, why soft skills determine client trust, and how bringing Wall Street level standards to Main Street delivers results. He shares insights on corporate healthcare, regulated professions, business development for lawyers, and the simple rule that respect never goes out of style.

What you will learn

• Starting practice in New York during 2008, what froze, what returned, and how to learn by doing

• The mindset behind Wall Street execution, Main Street service, and client outcomes

• Makers versus fakers, why execution wins

• Corporate healthcare deals, consolidators, and working with regulators in Canada

• Why young lawyers should read prospectuses and risk factors, not only case law

• Building a book, planting seeds, and growing with your peers

• Strategic marketing, leadership, and firm culture built on character and consistency

Keywords (SEO):Peter Saad, Loopstra Nixon, managing partner, Shearman and Sterling, New York 2008, financial crisis, capital markets, investment grade debt, Canadian law firm leadership, corporate healthcare M and A, regulated professions, transactional law, securities, client service, soft skills for lawyers, business development, build a book of business, OCIs, U of T Law, legal career advice, respectful leadership

Chapters:00:00 Intro and Peter’s journey03:10 New York in 2008, lessons from a freeze10:20 From slow to surge, learning by fire15:30 Wall Street execution for Main Street clients22:00 Makers, fakers, and the soft skills that matter28:40 Sector focus, why healthcare chose him35:20 Read the risk factors, speak business41:00 Strategic marketing, leadership, and culture48:30 Two currencies in law, hours or book55:00 Final advice for students and young lawyers

About the show
Studying Law Around the World shares global legal journeys and practical playbooks for students and early career lawyers.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X

Appellate Litigation, Motion Practice, Legal Writing that Wins

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, Toronto litigator Gabriel Latner breaks down a decade of motion-heavy practice across jurisdictions.

We cover:

• US vs. Canada litigation culture: page and time limits, deadlines, and how procedure shapes strategy

• How to simplify complex facts: causation chains, narrative clarity, and cutting non causal noise

• Issue selection: “If their facts are true, how do we still win” plus the one fact flip framework

• Charter vs. US constitutional cases: interpretive approaches vs. fact bound trials

• Practical training for juniors: watching court in person and online, reading factums, contacting counsel, and seizing speaking opportunities

• Career and wellness: hobbies, networks outside law, and why joy beats performative balance

Who this is for: law students, articling students, junior litigators, appellate specialists, and anyone who wants tighter factums, sharper issues, and stronger oral advocacy.

Keywords: Gabriel Latner, appellate litigation, motion practice, factum writing, legal writing, Canadian civil procedure, Ontario litigation, deadlines, summary judgment, motion to strike, Charter litigation, constitutional law, advocacy skills, watch court, Oyez, legal careers, Studying Law Around the World.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X

Rebecca Lockwood is a lawyer, mediator, educator, and founder of Grammatika International, an organization dedicated to helping lawyers and law students worldwide improve their legal writing and professional skills.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, Rebecca shares her journey from articling under Barbara Jackman and appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada, to building her own refugee and immigration practice, to leading legal skills programs at Osgoode Hall and the University of Law in Manchester, and now teaching, mediating, and raising a family in Australia.

We cover:

• The origin story of Grammatika International and why legal writing is the lawyer’s most valuable skill

• Practical strategies to improve clarity and persuasiveness in written advocacy

• The challenges internationally trained lawyers face and how targeted skill development can help

• Lessons from practicing law in Canada, the UK, India, and Australia

• How humility, adaptability, and clarity can shape a sustainable legal career

This episode is ideal for law students, junior lawyers, internationally trained lawyers, and anyone looking to strengthen their writing and advocacy skills.

Sponsored by ⁠Grammatika⁠ and ⁠Emond Exam Prep⁠.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, host Claudio Klaus speaks with Tomas Ballarati, an Argentinian and American lawyer licensed in both Argentina and California.

Tomas shares his journey from studying law in Córdoba, Argentina, to earning an LL.M. at George Mason University, passing the California Bar Exam, and building a unique cross-border legal practice.

We discuss:

• How to practice law across multiple jurisdictions

• The importance of language skills for international lawyers

• Building a career that bridges Argentina and the U.S.

• Cross-border business formation, contracts, tax, and immigration issues

• Balancing firm work with an independent practice

• How publishing on LinkedIn and running a newsletter (Cross-Border Insights) helped expand his career

This episode is a must-listen for law students, internationally trained lawyers, and anyone interested in international business law and cross-border practice.

Sponsored by Grammatika and Emond Exam Prep.

Law Society of Ontario Accreditation: This program contains 25 minutes of Professionalism Content. This program contains 10 minutes of EDI Professionalism Content.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, Claudio Klaus speaks with Emil Abedian, founder and CEO of Council CPAs, an accounting firm dedicated to serving law firms. Emil shares his journey from Ernst & Young in Sweden to building a specialized practice in California that helps lawyers run their firms like businesses.

We discuss:

• How Emil built Council CPAs and why he chose to specialize in law firms

• The difference between seeing your firm as a “practice” versus a “business”

• Why putting on the investor hat is essential for scaling a law firm

• Common financial mistakes lawyers make when starting their firms

• How systems, delegation, and specialization create long-term success

This episode is essential listening for law students, junior lawyers, and law firm owners who want to understand the business side of legal practice.

Keywords: law firm business, Emil Abedian, Council CPAs, law firm accounting, law firm growth, law practice management, scaling a law firm, delegation in law firms, specialization in legal practice, running a law firm as a business, Studying Law Around the World podcast.

Law Society of Ontario Accreditation: This program contains 30 minutes of Professionalism Content.

Subscribe to Studying Law Around the World for more conversations with lawyers shaping global careers. Listen to past episodes and learn from professionals building cross-border legal paths. ISSN 2819-733X