The Story Behind the Mission
The Legal Changemaker
Growing up in England, my favorite show was L.A. Law. The excitement, the drama—I was hooked. I decided then and there, at age ten, that I wanted to be a litigator in California.
And that’s exactly what I became.
I studied law at Oxford University and was selected for a program that allowed me to spend a year as a law clerk at a firm in Los Angeles. It felt like stepping onto the set of my childhood dream: high-stakes cases, real-world pressure, and a seat at the table where serious decisions were made.
After that, I returned to the UK and completed bar school, followed by a rigorous hands-on apprenticeship known as pupillage. I became a barrister, was invited to join chambers, and was offered tenancy.
I reached out to the firm I had clerked for, and they offered me a full-time position. I passed the California Bar and never looked back. I dove into trial work, learning from some of the best. I had criminal trial experience, civil plaintiff work, and I was hungry for one more dimension— defense experience at a top-tier global firm.
Eventually, after multiple rejections, I was invited to join one of the top five law firms in the world.
A few years in, a colleague-turned-friend, Marc Lewis, and I had a casual chat about starting a firm. Then he sent a text that changed everything:
“L&L. Think about it.”
We founded Lewis & Llewellyn with one goal: to build a boutique litigation powerhouse that delivers elite results and cultivates a better way to practice law.
I’ve seen the toxicity of traditional firms, the burnout, the ego, the outdated hierarchies. We decided ours would be different. We prioritize kindness, collaboration, and real joy in the work. No one is above anyone else.
That vision paid off. Over the years, I’ve been named twice as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California by The Daily Journal, a U.S. Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, and an Elite Boutique Trailblazer by The National Law Journal.
But I knew I could do more. I realized that if I wanted to change the culture of law,
I had to step forward as a Changemaker.
That’s why I wrote Unshackled. Why I speak publicly. Why I take on tough cases that others turn away.
The legal profession is broken, and I believe we can fix it.
We need better training. More hands-on experience. Less aggression, more integrity. We need lawyers who understand both the business and the humanity of law.
I’ve tried cases on both sides— civil and criminal, in the US and UK. That allows me to deliver results with unmatched perspective. But more than that, it gives me a platform to lead.
I’m not just here to win cases. I’m here to reshape the profession for the people we serve, and the lawyers who serve them.
What Drives Me
Excellence
Holding myself and the profession to the highest standards. Excellence isn’t just about winning cases; it’s about raising expectations for the legal system and everyone it touches.
INTEGRITY
Doing what’s right — even when it’s hard. Integrity defines how I show up in court, in business, and in reforming the profession.
Innovation
Unshackling the old model. I push boundaries, embrace change, and am not afraid to rethink how law is practiced and led.
Tenacity
Disciplined, driven, and built to go the distance. I don’t flinch in high-stakes moments. I thrive in them.
Mental Toughness
Clear under pressure. Composed in chaos. True mental toughness means leading with grit and presence, even when challenging a system that resists change.
Flexibility
Success shouldn’t come at the cost of self. I believe in building a culture where excellence and personal priorities can coexist.