New Year, New Beginnings
After a year away, I’m officially back. As of this week, I’ve joined GPS Legal LLP.
This time last year, I had no idea I would be joining a completely new firm, practicing a new law to me and completely changing the type of work I would be doing. But that’s just the beginning!
Even looking back at some of my first posts on the revamped browngeek.net website back in August/September 2025.
Why not offshore again?
When you step out of a traditional partnership role, you have options. You can choose the obvious path: another offshore firm, another partnership opportunity, another version of the same thing. Or you can ask yourself what you actually want.
For me, that meant looking for a platform where I could build a practice on my own terms. GPS offered that. They’re innovative and creative, but they don’t compromise on service quality. There’s no politics—just good people doing serious work.
I’ll be continuing my banking and finance practice, but I’m also expanding into advising SMEs and funds. Also I’ll probably be focusing more on borrower side work. Oh, and I’m going to start practicing Hong Kong and English law. It’s a deliberate shift. After 20+ years focused on offshore work, institutional clients and mega-deals, I want to work with businesses at different scales. The problems are often more complex because the stakes are different, and the clients tend to know exactly what they need.
The power of connections
I wouldn’t be here without connections. A friend connected me with his friend, who in turn connected me with GPS. That chain of trust—three people taking a chance on each other—is how this happened.
It’s a reminder that your network isn’t just useful. It’s everything. The people who know you, trust you, and are willing to vouch for you—they’re the ones who open doors that don’t exist on job boards.
What’s next
GPS is the first piece. But I didn’t step away from law for a year just to slot back into the same groove. I’ve been thinking about what a sustainable career looks like in 2026—one that isn’t built on billable hours or partnership politics, but on delivering real value to clients who actually need it.
There are other projects in the works. Some are still taking shape. Some are just ideas right now. But they’re all part of a bigger picture I’m building.
I’ll be sharing more as things develop. But for now, GPS is where I’m putting my energy. It’s solid, it’s right, and it gives me the platform to build what comes next.
The invite
If you need legal or business advice, or you know someone who does—reach out. If you’ve been through a career shift and want to talk about what that looks like—I’m here for that conversation too.
2026 is shaping up to be interesting. Glad to be back.