Adriana Aguena is the Assistant Director of Graduate and International Programs at McGeorge School of Law. A Brazilian-trained lawyer and McGeorge alum, she has built her career supporting LLM, SJD, and exchange students from around the world.

In this episode, we talk about McGeorge’s new online LLM in U.S. Law and Policy and what it means for global legal education. Adriana shares:

• Why online programs are making U.S. legal study more accessible

• The flexibility of customizing courses for career or bar exam preparation

• How international students can stay engaged, network, and succeed in online study

• The practical support McGeorge offers in career services, wellness, and faculty access

This episode is especially valuable for international students, foreign-trained lawyers, and anyone curious about how legal education is adapting to a digital, global future.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I speak with Tom Macintosh Zheng, former commercial litigator and co-founder of Courtready.ca. Tom shares his journey from studying at King’s College London, to training as a solicitor in England, to working as a litigator in Toronto, and finally to becoming a legal tech entrepreneur.

We discuss:

• The professional and cultural differences between England and Canada

• Why he left private practice to build tools that improve access to justice

• How Courtready.ca helps reduce delays and frustrations in the civil litigation system

• The personal and professional challenges of practising law

• Advice for law students, junior lawyers, and internationally trained lawyers entering the Canadian market

This episode highlights the power of innovation, resilience, and a clear vision for how the legal profession can evolve.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Andrew Bowyer, Founder and CEO of ADB Insights and the driving force behind the Legal Innovation Forum.

Andrew shares his journey from the Financial Times in London to Bloomberg in New York, and now to leading one of Canada’s most influential platforms at the intersection of law, business, and technology.

We discuss the role of global experience in shaping innovation, how AI and the pandemic have accelerated change in the legal profession, and why events and communities are essential for building ideas and impact.

This conversation is valuable for law students, early lawyers, and experienced professionals who want to understand how law connects with business, risk, and opportunity in a rapidly changing world.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, Claudio Klaus speaks with Pauline Chan, Head of Lawyer Experience and Lawyer-in-Residence at Goodlawyer. Pauline shares her journey from big firm associate to in-house counsel, to entrepreneur running a fitness studio, and back to law as a fractional GC and legal tech leader.

We talk about:

• Why flexibility and variety are top priorities for lawyers today

• How fractional in-house roles create more freedom and complex work

• The role of technology in building lean, efficient legal practices

• Resilience after setbacks and why failure can fuel reinvention

• Practical advice for young lawyers designing careers with purpose

Pauline’s story is about curiosity, resilience, and building a sustainable path in the profession. Whether you’re a law student, an early-career lawyer, or rethinking your career path, this conversation will inspire you to imagine new ways forward.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Gary Kalaci, lawyer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Alexa Translations. Gary shares his journey from growing up in Albania and working as a court interpreter to building one of North America’s leading AI-powered translation companies.

We talk about the early days of founding Alexa, how AI is reshaping translation and legal communication, and why relationships and networking are central to business success. Gary also reflects on leadership, giving back through Junior Achievement, and the skills young lawyers need to thrive in today’s fast-changing world.

This episode is for anyone interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of law.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Neil Montgomery, Founder and Managing Partner of Montgomery in São Paulo. Neil shares his remarkable journey from studying law at the University of São Paulo to becoming one of Brazil’s most recognized international lawyers.

We discuss his bold “London Roadshow,” where he transformed a $5,000 self-funded trip into $50,000 in client work, the lessons that shaped his business model of “Lean Full Service,” and why visibility, consistency, and humility are the keys to building lasting relationships.

Neil also reflects on balancing an intense international practice with family life, leading by example, and creating a firm culture where young lawyers thrive.

This is a must-listen for law students, early professionals, and anyone interested in determination, vision, and growth in the legal world.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This season is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠⁠

Grammatika helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Lotus Menezes, an Osgoode LL.M. graduate with a legal career spanning Tanzania, South Africa, and Canada. Lotus shares her journey from boarding school in Kenya to practicing corporate and commercial law in Toronto, with experiences in mining, natural resources, and entertainment law along the way.

We talk about adapting across jurisdictions, staying grounded through change, and the importance of community and mentorship. Lotus also reflects on giving back through her work with organizations like the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and Artists’ Legal Advice Services.

This is a great episode for internationally trained lawyers, law students, and anyone interested in how adaptability, connection, and service can shape a meaningful legal career.

This season is sponsored by: Rev is the top AI transcription and speech-to-text platform trusted by thousands of legal professionals and researchers worldwide. Rev helps you quickly transcribe, organize, and analyze case materials with high accuracy using secure and easy-to-use tools. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rev.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

⁠⁠⁠Grammatika International⁠ helps lawyers around the world succeed in their careers through legal writing courses and coaching. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠www.grammatika.co⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Studying Law Around the World, I sit down with Jacob Murad, President of KPA Lawyers and Managing Partner at Blue Star Equity. Jacob shares his journey from law school in Michigan to building a multi-office law firm in Ontario and leading private equity transactions.

We talk about the future of law firms, the power of integration and innovation, and what it takes to lead at the intersection of law, business, and community. Jacob offers straightforward advice for law students and young lawyers looking to build a career that’s both meaningful and entrepreneurial.

This is a great episode for anyone thinking long-term about their legal career or curious about how the legal profession is changing.