Segun Osuntokun, senior partner at BCLP, joins the podcast to discuss leadership, firm strategy and what it takes to run a global law firm while continuing to practise as a partner. Having held senior leadership roles at the firm for more than seven years, he reflects on BCLP's recent return to growth and the long-term strategy behind it.
The conversation covers insights from the merger between Berwin Leighton Paisner and Bryan Cave, why Osuntokun believes successful integrations must start with clients rather than firm economics, and his views on the current wave of transatlantic law firm combinations reshaping the market.
We also discuss mental health, sustainable leadership and the demands of modern legal practice. Osuntokun shares his perspective on resilience, the importance of wellbeing in a people business, and the comments that sparked debate across the profession about sending non-urgent emails at weekends.
Chapters
00:01 Introduction
01:36 From Nigeria to City law and becoming BCLP senior partner
04:26 BCLP's return to growth and the strategy behind it
07:35 How BCLP positions itself in the transatlantic legal market
09:12 Lessons from the Bryan Cave and BLP merger
13:34 US versus UK law firm culture: more similar than different?
15:47 Life as senior partner and balancing leadership with client work
18:19 Weekend emails, mental health and sustainable leadership
24:01 The future of Big Law, scale and BCLP's growth plans
