S2: E8 | Glen Waters | Fundraising, term sheets, and scaling: practical advice for early-stage founders from HSBC’s Head of Early Stage Banking

How do you start using AI for contract review - without overwhelming your team or your tech stack?In this episode of Brief Encounters, Juro’s Richard Mabey talks to Nate Kostelnik, attorney and one of LinkedIn’s most original voices on AI in contracting.Nate explains why “playbook maximalism” holds teams back, how to approach AI reviews one clause at a time, and why thoughtful setup matters more than scale.They cover:What “further apart faster” means for negotiationThe “drafter’s” and “reviewer’s dilemmas” of AI contractingWhy fairness and context still matter - even with automationThe future of AI-to-AI negotiationIf you’re exploring how AI fits into your legal workflow, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Brief Encounters, Richard is joined by Glen Walters, Head of Early Stage Tech and Life Sciences at HSBC Innovation Banking.They cover:Why “why you’re raising” matters as much as “how much”What an investor-ready data room should includeHow legal teams can act as business partnersUnderstanding market standards in term sheetsTrends in valuations, structures, and fundraising termsWhy financial modeling and profitability are essential for startupsA practical guide for founders navigating early-stage fundraising.

Patty Corey, Legal Operations Manager at Aspen Aerogels, joins Brief Encounters to talk about the future of legal ops and AI adoption. She explains how legal ops serves as the bridge between business, law, and technology, and why trust and relationships matter just as much as process and tools.Patty covers:The evolving responsibilities of legal operationsHow to evaluate and implement generative AI toolsThe importance of building a minimum viable playbookWhy community and experimentation are vital in legal techEscaping the “AI shame spiral”A must-listen for legal ops professionals and in-house teams exploring AI.

Legal ops pioneer Lucy Bassli joins Brief Encounters host Richard Mabey for a sharp, honest conversation about how AI is really landing in legal.They dig into why legal shouldn’t control the full contract lifecycle, what went wrong with CLM, and how the AI shift, while real, is being drowned by the hype.With insights from both sides of the table, Lucy and Richard explore what it actually takes for legal teams to keep up with the pace of change.Useful links:Lucy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucybassli/‍InnoLaw Group: https://innolawgroup.com/Richard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmabey/Juro: https://juro.com/

In this episode of Brief Encounters, Richard speaks with Alfred Biehler ,former Head of Innovation at Google, about how legal teams can thrive in the age of AI.With experience at Microsoft and Google, Alfred shares how innovation isn’t just about tech, but culture, leadership and communication. They dive into what legal teams risk by ignoring AI, and why rethinking how lawyers spend their time is key to staying relevant.You’ll hear:• Why innovation starts with process, not just product• How leaders can build a culture that encourages feedback• What AI means for the future of legal work• Why lawyers should protect their most valuable time• How appreciation and vulnerability drive innovationLinks:Alfred on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredbiehler/Juro’s Legal AI Hub – https://juro.com/legal-ai

What changed in the legal world after the 2008 crash - and where is it heading now?In this episode of Brief Encounters, Richard speaks with legal strategist Reena Sengupta about the evolution of legal innovation, the rise of in-house teams, and why the next decade might belong to the GC.Reena shares her take on workplace AI, industry burnout, and how law firms must stay relevant in an era defined by global uncertainty.

In this episode of Brief Encounters, Richard is joined by Daniel Glazer, Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in London and a leading advisor to UK tech companies expanding into the US.Together, they explore the realities of scaling across the Atlantic — from the cultural divide in venture capital and the complexities of US fundraising to the legal hurdles founders face when hiring or contracting stateside.Daniel shares hard-won insights on US market entry, including what UK companies often underestimate, how to approach litigation risk, and why understanding market norms is essential to avoid costly missteps.The conversation also touches on aligning with US investors, adapting business practices for American customers, and how to plan expansion strategies with intention - not urgency.Whether you're a founder looking at your next potential move or a legal leader advising high-growth clients, this episode is packed with practical guidance for going global.Daniel’s links:Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com/en/people/daniel-glazer.html#experienceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcglazer/

In this episode. Richard is joined by Mark Austin CBE, Partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, former Chair of the Listing Authority Advisory Panel, and an expert voice on the evolving landscape of public markets.Together, Mark and Richard unpack the transformation of UK listings, recent reforms, and what’s being done to make London a more competitive destination for companies going public. If you're a founder, legal leader, investor, or just curious about the future of UK capital markets, this one’s for you.Mark’s links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-austin-2673a414/UK Listings Review: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-listings-review

In the first episode of a brand new season, Richard is joined by Tom Hambrett, Partner and Chief Legal Officer at Revolut.During his tenure, Revolut has grown from a startup to a giant with a $45 billion valuation, 50 million customers worldwide, and a team of 160+ lawyers.We cover: Revolut’s journey from 1 lawyer to 160+The power of a data-driven legal function The potential AI can unlock for your team How legal teams can demonstrate their value beyond being a necessary evil…and so much more!Tom’s links: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashambrett/Website: https://www.revolut.com/en-US/careers/team/legal/

In the final episode of this series, Richard is joined by Daniel Hulme, CEO of Satalia and Chief AI Officer at WPP.  The pair discuss the evolution of AI, its impact on knowledge workers, and the future of machine consciousness. They dive into the importance of understanding AI's applications, the ethical considerations surrounding its development, and the potential risks and challenges that come with it.  Reflecting on our last episode, Richard asks Daniel all about the skepticism surrounding AI and the role of government in regulating its use, advocating for a proactive approach to harnessing AI's capabilities for societal benefit.  Daniel’s links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielhulme/ Website: https://www.satalia.com/