Defining Legal’s Value: James Sullivan on Leadership, Risk and Reinvention in the Crypto Era

Lessons I Learned in Law

Season 8 of Lessons I Learned in Law continues in partnership with Wordsmith AI, the legal-AI platform built for in-house teams.

This week, Scott is joined by James Sullivan, an experienced General Counsel and business leader who most recently served as Group General Counsel at Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges.

James shares an inside look at what it’s like leading legal in the fast-moving world of digital assets — an industry that blends rapid innovation with complex regulation. With a background spanning GC, Chief Risk Officer, COO, and compliance leadership roles, he reflects on how stepping beyond pure legal work has shaped his perspective on what makes an effective in-house function.

His lessons are refreshingly practical. He explains why every GC should define their own role and make legal’s work matter to the business, how to know your own value and bring the right version of yourself to each organisation, and why it’s vital to own your career path — being brave enough to change direction when it no longer fits.

From negotiating a global remit to completing an executive MBA, James’s story blends commercial thinking with curiosity, adaptability, and a deep sense of purpose.

Guest Recommendations

📘 What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith – A must-read for senior lawyers transitioning into leadership roles.
🎧 Political Currency with Ed Balls and George Osborne – Smart, balanced political debate across perspectives.
🎧 The Rest is Politics and The Rest is Politics: US – Insightful and entertaining political commentary.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Wordsmith AI — visit https://wordsmith.ai

to learn more.

About Heriot Brown:
Heriot Brown is a leading global recruitment business specialising in the in-house legal market. We help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers by matching them with exceptional in-house opportunities, while fostering a thriving community of legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth.

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