From Specialist to Strategic Leader: Mike Sosso on Curiosity, Courage, and Career Growth at BP

Mike Sosso, EVP for Legal at BP, joins Scott Brown to discuss his transition from specialist competition lawyer to strategic global leader of a 400-strong legal team. In this episode, Scott welcomes Mike Sosso, Executive Vice President for Legal (Group GC) at BP, overseeing a global legal team of over 400 professionals. Mike shares candid insights into his journey from an antitrust specialist to one of the most senior legal roles at BP, highlighting how curiosity, allyship, and commercial thinking shaped his leadership style. Mike’s three powerful lessons focus on embracing curiosity over certainty, becoming genuinely commercial in approach, and proactively owning your career path. He openly discusses how stepping outside his comfort zone and seeking opportunities beyond his specialist background transformed his career trajectory, moving from deep subject expertise to strategic leadership roles across multiple business areas within BP. Highlights from the conversation include Mike"s reflections on the realities of leading a global team, the practical steps he recommends for lawyers aiming to become more commercially minded, and how a pivotal mentorship conversation changed his perspective on career growth. Mike also addresses the importance of allyship and diversity, sharing his personal experience as one of the few openly gay General Counsels at a global corporation, and how active allyship across different communities has influenced his leadership approach. Mike closes the conversation with insightful recommendations: Mike’s Recommendations:Book: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown – an inspiring story offering powerful lessons on teamwork, leadership, and overcoming perceived limitations.Podcasts: Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (NPR) – A humorous and informative take on current events. Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris – Practical mindfulness strategies for professionals seeking greater clarity and balance. About Heriot Brown: At Heriot Brown, we help lawyers find fulfilment in their careers. Beyond recruitment, we foster a thriving community of in-house legal professionals who share insights, experiences, and growth opportunities.