Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network
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The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network explores the myriad issues, challenges, trends and opportunities facing legal professionals in Australia. Produced by Australia’s largest and most-trusted legal publication, Lawyers Weekly, the four shows on the channel – The Lawyers Weekly Show, The Corporate Counsel Show, The Boutique Lawyer Show and Protégé – all bring legal marketplace news to the audience via engaging and insightful conversations. Our editorial team talking to legal professionals and industry experts about their fascinating careers, ground-breaking case work, broader sociocultural quagmires, and much more. Visit www.lawyersweekly.com.au/podcasts for the full list of episodes.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
13 hours ago
Protégé: From police prosecutor to law student
Here, an ex-police prosecutor turned law student discusses why he has decided to swap ends of the bar table.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jess Feyder speaks with Joshua Kelly, who has spent two decades as a cop and held the role of police prosecutor, about why he decided to begin a law career.
Mr Kelly discusses why his role in the police force has aided his understanding of the law and why it gives him a unique perspective to practise from.
He discusses cases during his time as a prosecutor that impacted him and motivated him to make the change to law.
Mr Kelly also talks about where he sees his legal career going and where Australia’s prosecution system might be flawed.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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1 day ago
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Investing in relationships
Given how much the legal landscape is modernising, relationships are more essential than ever before. As Gabriella Pomare says, “it’s who you know, it’s who you get to know, and it’s about putting yourself out there”.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with The Norton Law Group partner Gabriella Pomare about becoming a leader in the firm set up by her father, what leadership means to her in the context of their family law firm, and the challenges involved in being a good leader in the age of COVID-19.
Ms Pomare also details her thoughts on good relationship management, instilling the right mentalities in junior staff, navigating idiosyncratic needs and personality differences within a team, building and maintaining relationships with various external stakeholders, what constitutes a good investment of time and energy in relationships, why it is more important than ever before, and balancing such management on top of all other responsibilities for boutique law firm leaders.
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2 days ago
The Corporate Counsel Show: Managing a cost-cutting environment
On this special episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, produced in partnership with LOD, we explore how law departments can successfully navigate cost-cutting in these economically uncertain times.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by LOD head of market insights Mark Dodd and senior legal counsel Helena Kolenbet to discuss what in-house legal teams are currently grappling with when it comes to cost-cutting, the impact of such fiscal constraints on those teams, how Australian law departments might be faring compared to overseas counterparts, and whether cost-cutting is at, or near, the top of in-house leader’s list of urgent priorities.
Mr Dodd and Ms Kolenbet also outline practical ways that law departments can thrive amid a cost-cutting environment, including ruthless prioritisation, eliminating waste, avoiding over-involvement so as to better manage given tasks, being pragmatic about what can be achieved, and boosting team morale, and how those in-house teams can and will benefit from implementation of such approaches.
To learn more about LOD, click here.
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5 days ago
A Namibian Supreme Court judge on driving human rights
Justice David Smuts of the Supreme Court of Namibia shares how he has helped shape Namibia’s laws and legal system to imbed human rights into the country.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jess Feyder speaks with Justice David Smuts about the changes he’s been instrumental in in Namibia’s legal system and how he went about securing those changes.
Justice Smuts discusses how he challenged laws and aspects of the constitution, at a time when the country gained independence and its constitution and legal framework were being formed.
His Honour also discusses how he has presided over court cases and worded judgments, aiming to influence the law and broader society to move towards equality and rights for both humans and animals.
Justice Smuts discusses his career path, his motivations, and the methods he’s used to challenge laws and drive change, reflecting on how Namibia’s society has changed and how the judiciary has played a role in moving the country towards equality.
His Honour also muses on the significance of the judiciary in its role of upholding moral principles and human rights for a country and gives advice to Australian lawyers who are passionate about driving positive legal and social change.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 24, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: My experience as a ‘fractional’ GC
Becoming a parent did more than reshape Matthew Hodgkinson’s personal life — it also changed, for the better, his professional pathway, leading him to become a “fractional” general counsel and have a greater appreciation for the need for “forgiving” advice and perspective as an in-house lawyer.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Papillon Lawyers principal and managing partner Matthew Hodgkinson about how and why he ended up being a “fractional” general counsel, what that means and how it differs from being a freelance GC, the familial circumstances that mean operating as a fractional counsel is suitable for his needs.
Mr Hodgkinson also unpacks how his vocational journey has shaped his thinking on what it means to be a good general counsel, the need for “forgiving” legal guidance and business advice, how fractional GC life is compatible with the post-pandemic world, whether he thinks the number of fractional GCs will increase in the future, and what excites him about that prospect.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 23, 2023
What lawyers get wrong about leadership
Historically, Simon Tupman muses, the legal profession has associated strong performance as a practitioner with leadership capabilities. In an ever-changing professional services marketplace, he says, leadership in law must have a more all-encompassing approach — because good lawyers don’t necessarily make good leaders.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Simon Tupman — a consultant, speaker and mentor to law firms — about what he believes law firms and legal teams are getting wrong when it comes to identifying leaders and why, whether poor leadership can cancel out any financial benefits that arise from promoting successful practitioners, and whether a revamp of business models in law will be required to better elevate certain leaders.
Mr Tupman also reflects on how flexible and adaptable leaders in law have been since the onset of the global pandemic and what they are getting right in the new normal, the need for leaders in law to be more holistic in their approaches, and the key principles he has identified that will constitute effective leadership in the legal profession moving forward.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 21, 2023
Protégé: One law student’s argument for lowering the voting age
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, Sydney-based law student Niki Nojoumian talks about why Australia should lower the voting age, and the legal and societal changes that would surround it.
Host Jess Feyder speaks with Niki Nojoumian, a law student whose essay on lowering the voting age in Australia has gained recognition.
Ms Nojoumian discusses the changes that should come with Australia adopting a voting age of 16, why it is especially relevant for this change to happen now, and why she found it important to advocate for a lower voting age.
She also talks about why she decided to formulate the essay and the influential role her mentors have played in the project, discusses how law students can become engaged with the topic, and gives advice on how to successfully pursue research projects.
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May 19, 2023
Implications arising from employers’ Voice positions
Across Australia, corporate entities have taken a stance on the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. But what happens if a lawyer in a firm has a different view from their employer?
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Swaab partner Michael Byrnes to discuss why so many corporate entities, including law firms, have decided to take a position on the Voice, the market factors driving such corporate positioning, and the potential implications for their employees — particularly those who might have opposing views.
Mr Byrnes details the various employment and workplace relations scenarios that will have to be worked through, how employees can reasonably express their views if they are in conflict with their employer’s position, the dangers of overstepping in publicly contradicting one’s employer, and the steps both sides may need to take to ensure freedom of expression is balanced against corporate interests.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 18, 2023
LawTech Talks: Outsourcing 101 in the new normal
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with law image, we explore how and why the legal profession is outsourcing much of its non-core work and what leaders in firms and businesses need to know to drive efficiency and productivity in an ever-volatile market.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with law image innovation and technology lead Tim Hall and head of commercial and corporate services Michael Wrobel to discuss what we mean by outsourcing and managed services, the market and workplace circumstances driving law firms and in-house teams towards outsourcing, whether the post-pandemic new normal has accelerated movement towards outsourcing, and existing barriers to meaningfully outsourcing the non-core work of one’s firm or team.
Mr Hall and Mr Wrobel also detail their longer-term predictions for outsourcing against the backdrop of the current state of the market, the headline concerns and problems needing resolution for firms and teams, the extent to which proactivity with outsourcing is required, and whether those not outsourcing could be left behind.
To learn more about law image, click here.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 17, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Providing advice in extraordinary legal matters
As an experienced GC, David Cosgrave has learnt that — when determining legal advice in scenarios one will not see every day — appreciating the motivations of people and how to balance risk and goals will help in-house lawyers best serve their clients.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with longstanding general counsel, lecturer and risk governance adviser David Cosgrave about why he gravitates towards litigators when hiring for in-house roles, the importance of having a real-world understanding of risk, how to formulate advice in sensitive and/or unique legal issues and find amicable, acceptable resolutions.
Mr Cosgrave details for the listeners his experiences providing advice in such extraordinary scenarios, from speaking to family members of persons on life support to athletes refusing to undergo drug tests, the unique perspective that one gleans from providing advice in such scenarios, and the overarching importance of flexibility and agility in the development of such a holistic approach to in-house life.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 15, 2023
Why part-time lawyering works for me
Working part-time as a lawyer can often be associated with caring responsibilities. However, as Meg Crawford details, there is a multitude of personal or lifestyle factors that may lead a lawyer to pursue other vocational pathways while maintaining a part-time practice — lawyers always, she believes, have such options in front of them.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Justitia Lawyers and Consultants special counsel Meg Crawford about her journey as a lawyer and the ups and downs she has experienced in her life, how those experiences have led her towards other pursuits, and how her perception of what she wanted to do vocationally has evolved over time.
Ms Crawford also details what her three-day working week set-up looks like and how she makes it work with her firm, changing views on what it means to be a legal professional, how those coming through the ranks can explore part-time working arrangements with their employers if they have other pursuits in mind, shaking off traditional mindsets of the volume of work required of lawyers, and how she feels optimistic about the sustainability of her more holistic approach to her career.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 12, 2023
The ‘fixed-rate cliff’, and other mortgage concerns
Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia made the surprise decision to increase the cash rate — the 11th time in 12 months it has done so — given that inflation isn’t coming down. The current economic landscape and subsequent property market offer much food for thought for lawyers.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Legal Home Loans director of sales Cullen Haynes and legal lending specialist Rachael Massoud to discuss why the RBA raised the cash rate this month, the circumstances giving rise to such a decision, the challenges that lawyers looking to buy are now facing, and whether any particular demographic of lawyers is being hit hardest right now.
Mr Haynes and Ms Massoud also explore the impact that rate rises are having on lawyers, how to interpret the record profits being made by the big banks at present, the “mass migration” currently being seen in the property market, and detail practical steps to take at this juncture, including refinancing, the questions to be asking one’s broker, escaping “mortgage prison”, and their advice for lawyers wanting to buy right now.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!
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May 11, 2023
Why jobseekers should better prioritise wellness
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Naiman Clarke, we explore the myriad impacts of a high-stress environment on lawyers and why prioritising one’s health and wellbeing when seeking a new role is not only necessary but also puts one in the best position to then satisfy their vocational and financial goals.
Host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Naiman Clarke owner and managing director Elvira Naiman to discuss why mental health concerns remain such a pertinent factor in any conversation about legal recruitment, the current state of affairs for jobseekers and how they are prioritising wellness as a consideration when looking for new legal roles.
Ms Naiman also reflects on some of the new-age professional challenges and scenarios that lawyers are dealing with that both impact wellness and influence thinking about vocational pathways, how recruiters can and do look to navigate conversations about wellness with jobseekers in law, how best to…
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May 10, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: The value of litigation experience for in-house teams
There is a presumption, among some legal professionals, that transactional experience is preferable for those working in-house. As Belinda Wong demonstrates, however, bringing a litigation background to a corporate legal role can be just as valuable, particularly in an ever-changing market.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Laing O’Rourke corporate counsel Belinda Wong about her litigation background and experience to date, the upskilling she has done since moving over from BigLaw to an in-house role, her perception of litigation experience and how it has shaped her abilities as a lawyer, and how her skills have been transferrable to her new in-house role.
Ms Wong also outlines how perceived requisite skills may be evolving in the post-pandemic landscape, whether there’s an increased demand for litigators in-house, other trends she sees in the market, whether we will get to a point where litigators are preferred to transactional la…
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May 9, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: What’s your firm’s vision, and why?
By his own admission, Nick Mann was naïve about the practicalities of founding a law firm. Because of that, however, he was forced to focus more intensely on his vision for a new practice. Setting and abiding by such a vision, he says, is integral for success.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Polaris Lawyers founder and director Nick Mann about how and when he made the decision to start his own practice, the various considerations he undertook in getting from A to B, identifying what one wants one’s firm to look like, and the difficulty of staying true to that vision.
Mr Mann also details the importance of being able to identify if and when a firm owner has erred in the formulation of direction and how best to get back on track, the lessons he has learnt on this front, and what other boutique law firm owners can take away from his experience in thinking about where they want themselves, and their businesses, to be in years to come.…
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May 8, 2023
Protégé: Planning your career direction from an early stage
Andrew Raad is only in his early 30s and is already an equity partner at his firm. Having a clear understanding, when he was at law school, of what he wanted to do helped put him on the path to achieving his vocational goals. Figuring out how to pave your own way, he says, is key.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Speirs Ryan partner Andrew Raad about his journey since graduating from law school, reflections on the culture of the tertiary environment and how it can influence students’ thinking about career direction, how he garnered insight and self-awareness into who he was and what he wanted, and how others can best balance those considerations.
Mr Raad also delves into the construction of one’s day-to-day, how those coming through the ranks can start asking themselves pertinent questions to better define their own career path, additional steps to take in a post-pandemic market, and how the next generation can and must be receptive to…
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May 5, 2023
What leaders in law can learn from elite AFL coaching
Firm owner Geoff Ebert has been coaching Australian rules football, including at the professional academy level, for nearly three decades. There are numerous lessons, he says, that senior lawyers can learn from his experience in nurturing the next generation.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Your Online Legal Group principal Geoff Ebert, who talks about his background and career in Australian football, why coaching was of interest to him, what his coaching regimen looks like for teams, as well as his mentality in leading players, and what he gets out of such a vocational pursuit.
Mr Ebert also outlines his journey as a legal professional and now firm owner, how he juggles his coaching commitments with his development as a lawyer and business manager, transferrable skills and traits between those two pathways, tackling various mental health challenges that arise with those in his charge, lessons he’s learnt, and what other lawyers can…
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May 3, 2023
Burnout and perception of what’s important in seeking a job in law
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with nrol, we delve into the proliferation of burnout among legal professionals in the post-pandemic environment and its impact on perceptions of the job market in law right now.
Host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back nrol director Jesse Shah to discuss the complexity of burnout and factors driving it in the current climate, recent studies detailing the extent to which lawyers are currently suffering, what is being seen on the ground right now with candidates, and what recruiters across sectors have to navigate as a result.
Mr Shah also explores some of the lessons coming out of conversations being had with candidates right now as it pertains to burnout in the profession, whether the current climate is making candidates rethink what they want in a legal job, what they are valuing right now, some practical steps that candidates can take to ask themselves the right questions in order to seek a suitable role, and…
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May 3, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: For in-house leaders, being a good lawyer is no longer good enough
The law is just one aspect of multifaceted decisions for businesses of all stripes, and for corporate counsel, being integrated as part of the DNA is fundamental in the post-pandemic marketplace.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Investa chief legal and risk officer Lesley Chan about what it means to be a good lawyer and how to achieve success in-house, how perceptions of being a good lawyer in-house have evolved since the onset of the global pandemic, and why juggling multiple hats may no longer be good enough in the current climate.
Ms Chan also discusses her views on what’s driving the need for in-house lawyers to be more than just good lawyers, who is driving that need for change, how law department leaders can upskill themselves and their teams, and what excites her about challenging herself and those around her to be better and do more than simply being a good legal professional.
If you like this episode, show your support by…
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May 2, 2023
Property Finance Uncut: RBA’s shock rate hike gives mortgage holders whiplash
With the Reserve Bank (RBA) delivering a shock rate decision for May, mortgage holders are left reeling on what steps to take to minimise the impact on their finances.
So in this episode, Smart Property Investments’ Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages’ chief executive, Paul Glossop, talk about the central bank’s surprising move to resume rate hikes after a month-long pause to check the economy’s pulse and unpack the data points that influenced the latest decision.
And while the duo acknowledged the latest cash rate increase will be the “nail in the coffin” for some borrowers due to higher repayments, they encouraged mortgage holders to reassess their current strategy and create a plan that can help them weather the latest rate hike storm.
They also unpack the various options available to borrowers, which include mortgage restructuring, refinancing to a fixed or variable rate, or switching to a different lender that offers a more competitive product.
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May 2, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: What I’ve learnt from setbacks
All SME law firm leaders and owners will face hurdles to overcome, both personal and professional. What matters is what one takes away from such trying times and how best you apply those lessons in moving forward.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Gale Family Law director David Gale about some of the setbacks he has faced in his life and why he chose to share those in the public forum of LinkedIn recently, the impact of those setbacks and how he has responded in order to move forward, both personally and professionally.
Mr Gale also reflects on the lessons that can and should be gleaned from experiencing certain setbacks, the practical approaches he has applied in navigating those setbacks and what works and doesn’t work, safeguarding one’s self and one’s business from future potential hurdles, whether boutique firm owners can be better at talking about the setbacks they’re facing, and how best he thinks they can discuss them wit…
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Apr 27, 2023
Ethics and regulation of tech creations and the role of the lawyer
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, we explore the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence and digital media, how Australia and the globe should go about regulating tech advancements, and the role lawyers play in this area.
Host Jess Feyder spoke with Shane Budden, special counsel in ethics at the Queensland Law Society, about the critical juncture point we are at in the need to regulate new and existing technological inventions, while ensuring doing so in a way that its benefits are not suppressed for individuals and society.
The pair discuss where Australia is at with regulating tech, the major harms facing Australian society, and how Australia can be at the forefront of understanding and regulating new tech creations.
They also talk about how Australia can navigate regulation on a global level and the need to bring tech companies “along for the ride”, delve into the current look of prosecution against tech companies, and how the area may evolve.…
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Apr 25, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Crafting your own adventure
Being boxed in to a particular area of practice has “never really appealed” to Virginia Crawter. Instead, she has looked to pave her own way in law, allowing her — as a senior legal counsel — to operate in ways that make sense to her, thereby allowing her to provide as much benefit to a business as possible.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Main Sequence head of legal and company secretary Virginia Crawter to discuss the lessons she’s learnt from her varied legal career, whether moving in-house has better allowed her to tick the vocational boxes that are most important to her, the day-to-day of in-house government roles and well as what life looks like for in-house VC lawyers, as well as the headline challenges faced by such professionals.
Ms Crawter also outlines what crafting her own adventure means to her, how and why she realised such a mindset would be so important for her journey, how to communicate with colleagues an…
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Apr 24, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Don’t be afraid to get into the detail
For SME law firms operating in emerging practice areas, ensuring that you and your business meaningfully understand the work being undertaken by your clients — rather than simply having a surface-level appreciation — is critical to the longevity of that firm.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Celia Legal founder and principal Chris Elias to discuss growing a law firm in the spaces of fintech and web3, his perspective on building such a business in the current climate, the headline issues and challenges to be overcome and how he looks to be as across new and emerging technologies as he possibly can be.
Mr Elias also delves into how upskilling in new and emerging technologies not only helps grow his business but also makes him a better legal professional for clients, how and why lawyers must be better at client experience moving forward, and what boutique firm owners can learn from those practising in emerging areas, including and esp…
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Apr 21, 2023
In Focus: Reviewing the RBA review
A 294-page review of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has been released, putting forward 51 recommendations to improve the structure, governance, and decision-making processes of the central bank.
The review considered the RBA’s performance over the past 30 years and has recommended the biggest overhaul of the central bank in its 63-year history.
In this episode, Momentum Media managing editor of mortgages Annie Kane is joined by the managing editor of property and financial services Phil Tarrant to discuss why the RBA review is calling for two RBA boards, their thoughts on dropping to eight cash rate decisions a year, and Philip Lowe’s reactions to the review.
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Apr 21, 2023
The right to disconnect
Numerous overseas jurisdictions have implemented “right to disconnect” laws — recognising that workers should be able to switch off outside of working hours. What’s the likelihood that we’ll soon see such laws implemented here?
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by barrister Ian Neil SC to discuss what “right to disconnect” laws are and why they have been implemented in overseas jurisdictions, how such laws operate overseas, whether the need to disconnect has been heightened since the age of COVID-19, and lessons legislators can take from the experiences in other countries.
Mr Neil also outlines whether there is an appetite for introducing such laws in Australia (from legislators and employers alike), whether such rules against contacting staff outside of hours could even work in the post-pandemic professional services marketplace, and whether he thinks Australian lawyers will ever be able to do practice with such laws in place…
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Apr 19, 2023
LawTech Talks: Choosing the right systems for your firm
In this special episode of LawTech Talks, brought to you in partnership with PracticeEvolve, we provide invaluable insights into selecting the right practice management system for your law firm in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Join host Jerome Doraisamy as he interviews Adam Bullion, the General Manager of Marketing, and Anthony Bryce, the Sales Lead in Australia and New Zealand, from PracticeEvolve. In this episode, they delve into the world of practice management systems and the environmental considerations to keep in mind when selecting the right one for your law firm.
Listen in as Mr Bullion and Mr Bryce share their insights on how PracticeEvolve assists firm owners in navigating the complex decision-making process of choosing the best software for their unique needs. They also discuss the essential questions that firm owners should be asking when considering software selection and the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Additionally, the trio explores how software provider…
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Apr 18, 2023
Overcoming technophobia
The legal profession has, on the whole, been receptive to adopting new technologies for daily operations. Even among those who utilise tech, however, there remains an element of resistance to change — particularly if using a tech platform means giving over control over a given task, argues one lawyer.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with McLay Legal Consulting principal and consultant Fiona McLay about how prevalent technophobia is among Australian lawyers, why it is an issue for so many practitioners, what we mean by technophobia, and whether lawyers feel duty-bound to complete tasks as traditionally intended.
Ms McLay also delves into the most common reasons for technophobia, whether the age of COVID-19 has reduced the number of lawyers who resist using various technologies, the practical steps that lawyers can take to overcome any resistance they may have, how best to undergo a mindset shift in terms of your daily operations, and her br…
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Apr 13, 2023
‘Slow burn’ in economic downturn creating complacency
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Madison Marcus, we dive into how firms and practitioners alike can deal with the influx of insolvencies and bankruptcies that could occur if a recession comes to pass.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Madison Marcus director John De La Hoyde about his passion for commercial litigation and insolvency, how and why he came to practise in these spaces, where Australia is at with regards to insolvency against the backdrop of a looming recession and coming out of the pandemic, what clients are currently up against, and how and why it is so important for businesses to be planning ahead and not waiting until it is too late to restructure.
Mr De La Hoyde also outlines which sectors are at most risk in the near future and what kind of flow-on consequences there will be for litigators and insolvency lawyers, lessons to be taken from the last economic downturn, what will constitute best practice for lawyers m…
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Apr 12, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Briefing individuals, not firms
When selecting external providers, in-house teams may soon have to move away from thinking of certain firms as a “one-stop shop” and instead be more deliberate in choosing great lawyers to make up a legal services panel, argues one GC.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Sydney Fish Market (SFM) general counsel Michael Guilday to discuss SFM’s recent court success, why he looks more closely at individual lawyers in firms rather than the firms themselves when deciding who to brief, identifying the standout individuals with whom one might want to work, the existence of unconscious bias in briefing decisions and whether big firms have been allowed to rest on their laurels in remaining on legal services panels.
Mr Guilday also outlines market fragmentation and the proliferation of BigLaw lawyers starting their own boutique firms and how that can impact briefing decisions, his non-negotiables for the constitution of his legal services…
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Apr 11, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Best cyber practices for small firms
Protecting a boutique practice against cyber risks must be viewed in the same vein as any other business risk, and one will discover that dedicating such time and resources to preventative action is absolutely achievable amid so many other responsibilities, one award-winning practitioner argues.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Law & Cyber founder and legal practitioner director Simone Herbert Lowe — who last year won the Innovator of the Year category at the Women in Law Awards — about what innovation means to her and how she applies that within her own firm, the state of affairs for cyber attacks in Australia, and why boutique practices need to be just as worried about cyber attacks as multinational companies are.
Ms Herbert-Lowe also delves into why firms might be a target for different hackers, her practical guidance for boutique firm owners to ensure they are upholding their professional duties and are engaged in best practice,…
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Apr 4, 2023
Moving in-house 101: All your questions answered
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Naiman Clarke, we dive into what lawyers need to know when considering a vocational shift to corporate legal life, from salary expectations to requisite experience.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Naiman Clarke’s managing director, Elvira Naiman, about how life in-house has evolved over the last two decades and what change has been witnessed since the onset of COVID-19, evolving and emerging trends on the back of the pandemic, what roles law departments are most keen to fill right now, how much experience private practice lawyers should have before moving in-house, and additional skills they may need before doing so.
Ms Naiman also details the extent to which branding is important in making such a vocational shift, salary expectations and realities for those shifting to corporate legal roles, post-pandemic and/or recession-inspired fluctuations in in-house roles, and why in-house life may be so rew…
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Apr 4, 2023
Property Finance Uncut: Is the tide turning on rising interest rates?
With the Reserve Bank (RBA) announcing its policy decision for April, there is much speculation about whether the central bank has reached the peak of its current rate hike cycle or if there is still more pain to come for borrowers.
So in this episode, Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages’ chief executive, Paul Glossop, talk about the factors that will affect the bank’s decision-making process in the coming months before unpacking the current sentiment among consumers, particularly borrowers who are bearing the brunt of the rate increases.
With owner-occupier refinances hitting a record high, the duo discuss the importance of borrowers “looking under the hood” of their loans before looking into how mortgage holders can “sharpen the pencil” on their finances.
Lastly, they also share their opinion on where — and when — the RBA may choose to close out its rate rise cycle.
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Apr 3, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Grow and sell your firm for a handsome price
Succession planning is something that all boutique firm leaders must proactively prepare for. Knowing how and when is the right price to sell your firm for, however, may be eluding certain business owners.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with California-based practitioner Mike Chastaine about his journey as a firm owner, how and why he ended up selling that practice, adopting a state of mind whereby you’re a business owner providing legal services and the need for flexibility in getting a firm to a position where it can be sold for a price that the owner is happy with.
Mr Chastaine also details how to quantify the right price to sell at based on personal circumstances and one’s practice area, any black and white questions that must be answered in determined how and when to sell, realising that — one day — every firm will be handed over in some capacity, being more open to acquisition opportunities and meaningfully working on agile s…
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Apr 3, 2023
Protégé: Know your values before choosing career direction
Most people come to law, Matthew Endo says, because they are interested in solving problems. Understanding one’s values prior to entering the profession can be critical, he notes, so that emerging practitioners can be best placed to make a difference.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Squire Patton Boggs associate Mathew Endo about how, as a claims and contract specialist, he came to decide to study and practise law, what he’s learnt from working in multiple jurisdictions across the globe, having a holistic perspective on coming into legal education and his thoughts on the future of online learning for law students.
Mr Endo also discusses his views on balancing professional development and legal education, the importance of extracurricular activities in further developing one’s legal skills, how cultural issues in law will continue to play out, and his broader guidance to junior lawyers about how they can put their best foot forward i…
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Mar 30, 2023
What ChatGPT’s rise means for legal practice
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Legalwise Seminars, we dive into the rise of artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, the lawfulness of and issues surrounding such tech, and the broader implications for practitioners of all stripes.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Patrick Fair, adjunct professor at Deakin University and principal of Patrick Fair Associates, about ChatGPT and why its advent is so significant, how and why such technologies are only going to get better, the lawful considerations that practitioners have to take into account with these platforms and the need for legislative and regulatory frameworks to catch up to the pace of change.
The pair also discuss how platforms like ChatGPT can alter the ways in which practitioners operate day-to-day, the checks and balances that will have to be implemented in utilising such platforms, new skills that will have to be developed, and tasks to be undertaken, the broader impl…
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Mar 28, 2023
The criminalisation of cyber extortion payments
Any and all responses that businesses can make to a ransom demand are fraught with risk. Lawyers working with clients in the face of such cyber extortions must be able to navigate the legal and ethical issues arising from breaches and attacks and ensure they are continually upskilling against the threat of this evolving landscape.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Lander & Rogers partner Melissa Tan to discuss the state of affairs with cyber extortion payments, why mitigating factors surrounding the pressure of extortion payments aren’t taken into account by regulators, fueling the fire for potential class action proceedings, and how such ransom demands are fraught with risk, no matter how an extorted entity reacts.
Ms Tan also dives into where the law is at on the criminalisation of such payments, how strictly said laws are being enforced, any urgent legislative updates that might be required, mechanisms or frameworks that businesses…
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Mar 27, 2023
How damages could be assessed for data and cyber class actions
Relative to other jurisdictions, Australia is “very well prepared” for data and cyber breaches. However, the law remains “untested”, and how proceedings for such breaches will play out remains to be seen.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Professor John Swinson, who teaches privacy law and cyber security law in the School of Law at the University of Queensland, about growing awareness of data and cyber security issues and subsequent legal proceedings, where we’re at with such proceedings, how prepared Australia is compared to overseas jurisdictions and why.
Professor Swinson also delves into broader privacy issues, what’s happening in the United States and what lessons can be taken from that jurisdiction for Australia, particularly pertaining to the awarding of damages, how courts here might quantify damages for certain proceedings, whether arbitrary determinations will be needed moving forward, and predictions for what the fu…
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Mar 23, 2023
Hiring constraints in the current market
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with nrol, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with nrol director Jesse Shah about the gaps that legal employers are trying to fill, from practitioner to support positions.
Mr Shah details the hiring constraints he is currently seeing in the legal profession and why such constraints are in place, whether he thinks the prospect of a recession is having an impact on hiring for certain positions, the state of affairs for legal support roles and how issues can be overcome, and why he believes partners need to take urgent action in filling certain positions.
The episode also details Mr Shah’s views on the importance of retention for legal employers, why the current market is the hardest period of his career to date, why he perceives the candidate’s market remaining in place for a while longer, and how best he thinks employers and prospective employees alike can respond to what he’s seeing in the market.
To lear…
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Mar 21, 2023
Getting your CPD points before the deadline
With the CPD deadline fast approaching, many lawyers will be looking for ways to complete their annual requirements. On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with LawCPD, we discuss why legal professionals may find themselves scrambling to get their points in and how best they can manage in the home stretch.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LawCPD director Sarah Mateljan about the various circumstances facing lawyers that may impact their ability to accrue the requisite points, whether the post-pandemic new normal has made things harder for lawyers, pain and pressure points in finding time to get points, and practical steps that can and should be taken to avoid overwhelming one’s self in anticipation of the deadline.
The pair also detail how best lawyers can ensure they are ticking the right boxes in accruing points, balancing their education accordingly between capped and uncapped, how providers can help lawyers keep an account of their points…
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Mar 20, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: How and when to expand your firm’s directorship
Onboarding a new director in a law firm is a “really significant decision”. Staying true to the vision of your firm, and remembering what is most important, will help boutique leaders ensure that bringing new people into the fold is successful.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Polaris Lawyers principal and director Meg Caines about her own vocational journey towards directorship, whether it is something she had aspired to, the daily duties and responsibilities for directors of law firms, and what it’s like both personally and professionally.
Ms Caines also details what a law firm needs to consider in determining how and when to introduce a new director into the fold, the boxes to be ticked in getting from A to B, how it can be a case-by-case process, the need to be flexible in going through the motions, lessons learnt from previous experiences of bringing on new directors, and her advice to other boutique firm leaders considering…
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Mar 16, 2023
Cartel prosecutions, greenwashing and other ACCC priorities
Businesses of all stripes must adjust to the evolving economic and environmental landscape, especially with the competition regulator ramping up its focus on key areas, argues one BigLaw partner.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Maddocks partner Shaun Temby to discuss how and why he enjoys his work in competition and consumer law, how and why there have been so many more prosecutions pertaining to cartel activity in recent times, what such prosecutions mean for lawyers working in this space, and how best to advise clients with regard to such a regulatory focus.
Mr Temby also unpacks the state of affairs around greenwashing activity and how the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is viewing this (alongside other regulators), how best to liaise with in-house legal teams about such greenwashing and broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns, the other headline regulatory enforcement priorities that the co…
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Mar 14, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Overcoming challenges facing foreign-qualified lawyers
Foreign-qualified lawyers, both in-house and in private practice, can and do face myriad hardships practising in Australia. But, as Eimear Fitzmaurice can attest, overcoming those challenges is absolutely achievable.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with in-house property lawyer Eimear Fitzmaurice about her experience of moving to Australia from Ireland to practice, the hurdles that foreign-qualified lawyers have to overcome in new jurisdictions, and what she has learnt, both personally and professionally, since migrating.
Ms Fitzmaurice also dives into juggling vocational and financial hurdles as a foreign-qualified lawyer, pulling one’s self through challenging times, how best employers can support legal professionals who have come from overseas (especially in the new normal), why employers should welcome such practitioners, and why those facing such challenges must persist.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us o…
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Mar 13, 2023
Navigating a ‘signifcant’ year to come in cyber
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, we speak to an award-winning BigLaw partner about the state of affairs in cyber risk, data and technology practices, and how best the legal profession can steer businesses through ongoing volatility.
Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Commonwealth Bank national head of professional services Daniela Pasini serve as co-hosts, with Corrs Chambers Westgarth head of TMT James North joining, to discuss the key takeaways and reflections from 2022 in the practice of cyber risk, how lawyers must be navigating the legal minefield currently confronting them, and what will constitute best practice in the face of said issues and challenges.
Mr North also delves into how we should perceive the legislative framework and whether proposed changes will see Australia catch up to the realities on the ground, whether cyber insurance is worthwhile, building cyber capabilities in-house, and how the…
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Mar 10, 2023
Protégé: Putting emotion back into legal teaching
Most people study and practise law for emotional reasons, but as lawyers, we are trained to sideline those emotions and consider legal issues objectively and dispassionately. What kind of impact does this have, particularly with regard to LGBTI rights?
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Manchester Law School reader in human rights law Dr Senthorun Raj about a recent research paper he published on the mapping of emotional grammar as it pertains to LGBTI rights in law schools, why this is such an important topic, whether emotion is incompatible with blackletter law, and the extent to which law can or should be divorced from passion.
Dr Raj also discusses whether emotional grammar, particularly as it pertains to LGBTI rights, is even more critical in the post-pandemic new normal, the need to get the next generation of lawyers into good habits from day one, how best to incorporate emotional literacy into legal education (both for students and pr…
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Mar 7, 2023
Property Finance Uncut: Don’t let RBA’s latest rate hike land you in mortgage prison
Amidst another RBA rate hike in March, Australians are not only facing the looming threat of falling off the mortgage cliff but are also finding themselves trapped in a different kind of financial dilemma — a mortgage prison.
Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages’ chief executive Paul Glossop acknowledged the increased pocket pain that borrowers are burdened with, thanks to the central bank’s continued monetary policy tightening in 2023.
And while refinancing has become the go-to recourse for borrowers to deal with the blows, they shine a spotlight on borrowers who find themselves unable to switch lenders due to rate hikes negatively impacting their serviceability.
On that note, they unpack the “moving parts” that impact a borrower’s serviceability and delve into possible solutions to escape (or prevent) being stuck in mortgage prison.
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Mar 6, 2023
Living your best life as a lawyer
As a solicitor who is trusted to manage her daily routine as she sees fit — so long as the work gets done — award winner Phoebe MacDougall can’t think of a single reason why lawyers would not be able to perform better if they, too, were trusted to live and practice as they please, rather than in more traditional, cookie-cutter schedules.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back MacDougall & Hydes solicitor Phoebe MacDougall to discuss her firm’s unique approach to flexibility, what her day-to-day looks like, how she makes time rather than finds time for the things that matter to her while also succeeding as a practitioner, and the myriad benefits she (and her practice) gleans from such an approach.
Ms MacDougall also delves into how best lawyers and their employers can have substantive conversations about setting up such trusting relationships and schedules, how both parties can and will benefit, the ever-important need for meaningful…
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Mar 2, 2023
Inside the mind of lawyers
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Coaching Advocates, we explore the mindset of legal professionals and how best lawyers can reframe their thinking to better ensure personal and vocational success.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Coaching Advocates directors and co-founders Lara Wentworth and Katie Gray about why it is important to better understand and appreciate the mindset of lawyers, the nexus between mindset and mental health, the various traits of lawyers’ mindsets (including scarcity), how common such thinking is, and why it is critical to shift certain deleterious thinking.
Ms Wentworth and Ms Gray also explain whether scarcity and related thinking has been heightened in recent years, the consequences of getting stuck in certain mindsets, practical ways to shift detrimental mindsets for lawyers, whether black-and-white rules exist, the legwork that lawyers must undertake themselves in addition to seeking support, and why wo…
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Feb 28, 2023
‘The stakes are increasing’ in defamation law
In the wake of looming law reform in defamation, and given that it is “becoming harder and harder” to successfully sue for defamation, managing client expectations from the outset of proceedings is going to be especially pertinent for practitioners.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Bartier Perry partner Adam Cutri and associate David de Mestre to discuss the state of affairs in defamation law in Australia, lessons coming out of recent high-profile proceedings, where we’re at with the Stage 2 reforms, clarifications around the meaning of “serious harm”, and limitations on the amounts of non-economic loss.
Mr Cutri and Mr de Mestre also delve into the proactive and reactive measures that are looming that lawyers in this space will have to be across, how lawyers on the ground feel about the reforms as they presently stand, the headline issues and challenges that defamation lawyers will have to contend with in the coming 12 months…
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Feb 27, 2023
The nexus between confidentiality, NDAs and open justice
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Blumers director Noor Blumer about the state of affairs for confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and the extent to which such arrangements can come into conflict with the principle of open justice.
Ms Blumer details how confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements pertain to our understanding of justice, the extent to which they are prevalent in litigious proceedings, the increase in complainants publicly disclosing the offences allegedly committed against them, and recent cases — including the allegations against Dyson Heydon and the Fox News saga in the United States — that have led the charge on such public disclosure.
She also outlines the nexus of such conversations to defamation proceedings, community perceptions and how social media reinforces certain biases, and whether law reform is needed to improve justice proce…
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Feb 26, 2023
Protégé: ‘Be unapologetically yourself’
Given how much the working world has changed in recent years, emerging leaders in law have a greater capacity to redefine who and what they want to be in the profession. Ensuring that one always remembers the human element of practice, and is community-minded, will be critical, however.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back HWL Ebsworth solicitor and Voices of Influence Australia chief executive Taylah Spirovski to discuss the many hats she wears and how she juggles her various responsibilities, why her work with Voices is so important, why advocacy must be part of a young lawyer’s journey, and whether holistic success for those coming through the ranks has evolved in the age of coronavirus.
Ms Spirovski also delves into how shifts in power are redefining what emerging lawyers can or should look like, getting the best deal for one’s self, practical steps to take to glean broader perspectives, how and why being community-minded is essentia…
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Feb 21, 2023
NT A-G Chansey Paech on the Voice, law reform and life in the Top End
If being tough on crime worked, Attorney-General of the Northern Territory Chansey Paech says, then Australia would be the safest country in the world. What is needed, he argues, is better justice reinvestment and more substantive consultation — such as through the Voice — so that First Nations communities can be given a seat at the table and taken off the menu.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes NT A-G Chanston “Chansey” Paech to discuss his life and upbringing in the Top End, how his early life has informed his perspective and politics, the need to bring all Australians on the journey of sociocultural change, the pertinent suggestions from the Uluru Statement from the Heart that need implementing, and why the proposed referendum to institute a Voice to Parliament is so critical.
A-G Paech also talks about the passage of legislation in the NT to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years of age — the first jurisdiction…
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Feb 19, 2023
Skills needed to be a successful partner
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, we speak to two partners and practice leaders at BigLaw firms about the tools that those in the partnership will require if they are to succeed in a new-look professional services marketplace.
Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Commonwealth Bank national head of professional services Daniela Pasini serve as co-hosts, with Mills Oakley partner and head of cyber and insurance Jason Symons and Hamilton Locke partner and head of restructuring and insolvency Nick Edwards joining to discuss what are the most pertinent traits of partners who have been able to build and maintain successful practice groups, how they look to develop those skills in emerging firm leaders, and how emerging technologies can and will support the development of such skills moving forward.
Mr Symons and Mr Edwards also detail how to build out a team to manage client demand, addressing future risks, forward-l…
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Feb 16, 2023
The changing legal landscape of psychedelics in Australia
Peter Hunt AM has been a leading advocate for change to the legal classification of psychedelic medicines in Australia, with the hope that it will revolutionise mental healthcare and outcomes for those across Australia.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jess Feyder speaks with Mr Hunt, co-founder of the organisation Mind Medicine Australia, about psychedelic medicines and the changing legalities in Australia.
Mr Hunt discusses the mental health epidemic plaguing Australia and how psychedelic medicines such as psilocybin and MDMA can address the mental suffering of people with treatment-resistant depression, severe post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues.
Mr Hunt discusses the legal barriers and complications surrounding access for patients and speaks about the essential role lawyers can play over the coming years.
Editor’s note: After the episode was recorded, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced that certain psychedelic m…
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Feb 13, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Are ‘niche micro’ firms the best pathway to vocational purpose?
Much has been made of “niching down” and of running micro practices. For Rachael Bosnjak, operating a “niche micro” law firm provides the best pathway to build a purposeful practice from which she can serve clients and the community at large.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Passage Migration Consulting principal Rachael Bosnjak about how and why she became passionate about migration law, whether having an MBA under one’s belt is a prerequisite for running a successful SME law firm, her plans for her business, and what it means to have a niche micro firm.
Ms Bosnjak also delves into the need for purposeful practices, how she has established one, what sets a niche micro firm apart from other boutique practices, the headline benefits and opportunities that arise from having such purpose and running niche micro practices, whether this might be an emerging trend, and her guidance to those looking to implement such businesses.
If…
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Feb 13, 2023
Protégé: Writing better job applications 101
Many emerging legal practitioners find it difficult to meaningfully sell themselves to prospective employers. In an age in which hybrid working and virtual communication are rife, that proposition becomes even harder. Learning how to write a better job application, thus, is essential.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Herbert Smith Freehills graduate recruitment manager James Keane and senior associate Jason Feng about why there is a need for emerging lawyers to write better job applications, whether such writing doesn’t come naturally to new practitioners, and how the age of COVID-19 has made it harder for prospective lawyers to sell themselves.
Mr Keane and Mr Feng detail the headline dangers of not being able to write good job applications, discuss a white paper they wrote to help those coming through the ranks write better applications, the balance between showcasing what one has done versus what one has learnt, common mistakes that g…
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Feb 9, 2023
Reflections on the ‘collecting salary while sitting on your ass’ incident
As was recently evidenced in a US-based law firm, there remain misconceptions in legal services workplaces about taking parental leave. Here, Danielle Snell — who co-founded her award-winning law firm while seven months pregnant — discusses why such biases continue to exist and what we can do to overcome them.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell managing director and co-founder Danielle Snell (whose firm won Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the 2022 Australian Law Awards) to discuss why certain misconceptions are such a problem for legal workplaces, the extent to which progress has been made and why cultural shifts must keep pace with policy improvements.
Ms Snell also explores how prevalent comments about choosing between one’s career and family life might be, why individual women and men need to be better at supporting each other, whether the age of coronavirus has moved the needle at all in…
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Feb 8, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: This year, do things differently
Many in-house lawyers, Kate Sherburn says, “limped to the finish line” at the end of 2022. Now that the new year is in full swing, corporate counsel must make concerted efforts to better manage themselves and their workloads.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Who Gives A Crap legal beagle Kate Sherburn to discuss her reflections on 2022, how and why many in-house lawyers were exhausted by year’s end, the impact of such exhaustion and why a new approach in 2023 is so essential.
Ms Sherburn details what she will be doing this year to be more deliberate about her schedule, what she is most looking forward to (both personally and professionally), what she’s learnt from her own experiences and observations of others, and her guidance to other corporate counsel about best practice in the next 12 months.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and b…
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Feb 7, 2023
Property Finance Uncut: RBA serves up first 2023 rate hike – Stop overpaying on your mortgage
With the RBA serving up a 25-basis-point rate hike in February, can borrowers continue to hold the line? While the going is getting tough for property investors, these experts say it’s time to take control of their mortgage.
With the RBA set to continue its fiscal policy tightening in 2023, Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgage’s chief executive Paul Glossop look at the possibilities in front of investors to ‘finetune’ their mortgages.
As the financial landscape rapidly changes, the pair also unpacks how lenders are becoming more competitive with their offerings, sharing some of the strategies that are available to mortgageholders.
The duo also underlines the importance of being proactive in optimising their financial position as the RBA’s rate rise cycle continues in the coming months.
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Feb 6, 2023
3 key professional development trends for 2023
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with LawCPD, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back LawCPD director and co-founder Sarah Mateljan to discuss the most pertinent trends that legal professionals will need to be across if they are to keep their heads above the parapet in what promises to be a turbulent, uncertain 12-month period.
Ms Mateljan fleshes out why lawyers’ use of technology is shaping up to be such a significant trend in the coming year, including the myriad technological considerations for lawyers and why such duties must be seen as part and parcel of a lawyer’s obligations. She also talks about the need or otherwise to “master” hybrid work, the potential hurdles arising from mainstream, long-term flexible and remote working arrangements for legal teams and how best to navigate updated legislative frameworks, and addressing workplace safety in new-look workplace environments, and how best individuals can contribute to such suppo…
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Feb 3, 2023
Don’t make career decisions based on others’ journeys
Too many lawyers and law students fall into the trap of comparing themselves to their colleagues and classmates and make vocational choices based on a narrow view of what constitutes success and what they think they should be doing (something the host of this show has fallen into the trap of doing in years gone by). Instead, lawyers need to forge their own paths and be true to themselves.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Cassandra Heilbronn, a Queensland lawyer currently based in Saudi Arabia as the chief executive officer of a private family office, to discuss the pertinent issue of lawyers comparing themselves to others and making career decisions on others’ trajectory, the myriad ways in which this can manifest and how it plagues lawyers of all stripes.
Ms Heilbronn reflects on her own journey, the advice she offers lawyers she speaks to (as a mentor and as a public speaker), the consequences of falling into the trap of comparis…
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Jan 30, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: How to acquire another firm
At a time when it is much more difficult for SME law firms to grow organically, ensuring that a business can continue to thrive is more important than ever. Having a successful plan in place for firm acquisitions is one critical avenue that firm owners can take.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Justice Family Lawyers principal Hayder Shkara to discuss his firm’s performance during the age of coronavirus, how and why he had been on the lookout for an opportunity to acquire another practice to complement his first, how the chance to acquire Melbourne Family Lawyers in mid-2022 came about, and the practical steps he undertook to ensure — both personally and professionally — that it was the right move for him to make.
Mr Shkara also details the boxes he felt needed to be ticked to move forward on such an acquisition, when it can be advantageous to acquire another practice rather than start a new office from scratch in another city,…
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Jan 29, 2023
Protégé: Emerging lawyers must understand the criminal justice system
Tom Penglis understands firsthand what issues exist in Western Australia’s criminal justice system. Now the co-founder of the WA Justice Association, he — together with colleagues like advocacy director Steven Thiele — is on a mission to ensure that emerging and existing legal professionals better appreciate the shortcomings of Australia’s justice system and what they can do to improve it.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with WA Justice Association co-founder and non-executive director Tom Penglis and advocacy director Steven Thiele about Mr Penglis’ experience of incarceration, what he learned from his term of imprisonment and how it offered him perspective on the criminal justice system, what WAJA does and why, and how it involves law students in its important work.
Mr Penglis and Mr Thiele also discuss the flow-on benefits for emerging lawyers who broaden their understanding of the criminal justice system, why even senior pr…
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Jan 26, 2023
LawTech Talks: What will 2023 look like for e-settlements?
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with Sympli, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Sympli chief executive Philip Joyce to discuss the year that was and what we can expect in the new year in the e-settlements space.
Mr Joyce discusses what was learnt from 2022, particularly the impact of legislative developments, the need for more flexibility, choice and efficiency, any potential hurdles that may arise in ensuring ease of access and seamless operations of platforms moving forward, and navigating marketplace headwinds to ensure practitioners and clients can thrive in the coming 12 months.
He also delves into the most pertinent and exciting challenges that will be faced in 2023, what Sympli’s outlook for the new year is and what the disruptor is aiming to achieve, his predictions for progress by the year’s end, and what he is looking forward to in the broader e-settlements space.
To learn more about Sympli, click here.
If you like this episod…
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Jan 24, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Why companies are failing to comply with legal reporting requirements
A new report shows that almost half of companies are failing to identify clear modern slavery risks in their supply chains and that too many companies’ promises on corporate reporting remain unfulfilled. Why is this the case, and how can it be overcome?
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Human Rights Law Centre senior lawyer Freya Dinshaw about HRLC’s new report, Broken Promises, detailing corporate failures on reporting requirements, the headline findings from that report, why businesses are failing to meet their obligations, and how a lack of legislative understanding is contributing to said failures.
Ms Dinshaw also reflects on how and why blame should be distributed for the current state of affairs, whether there exists a disconnect between companies’ public ESG commitments and what is happening on the ground, why the law department needs to find new and better ways to engage different business functions on reporting requirem…
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Jan 23, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Niching down to serve certain clients
Many lawyers, over their career, will identify a vocational niche and stick to that practice area, such as mergers and acquisitions. For Kristen Porter, “niching down” means something else: identifying a sector she feels strongly about, and wearing multiple hats for those in that sector, so as to “really understand” specific businesses.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with O*NO Legal founder and legal strategist Kristen Porter, who refers to herself as “The Real Estate Agent’s Lawyer”, about how and why she came to work with those in real estate, her experience of starting a boutique law firm at the beginning of COVID-19, and why those who started such firms at the beginning of the pandemic have fared so well in the intervening years.
Ms Porter also discusses what niching down means to her, how she came by that strategy, why such a pathway is inspiring to her, whether there is and will always be work for those who niche dow…
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Jan 19, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Increasing efficiency amid emerging market trends
Against the backdrop of a still turbulent and uncertain professional services marketplace, finding ways to increase efficiencies in the law department must remain front of mind — especially as it will make all other urgent priorities much easier to navigate.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with head of legal, office of the general counsel at King & Wood Mallesons, Stacy Ford, about his varied legal career, what he sees as being the headline issues facing law departments right now and why, whether businesses like BigLaw firms are better placed than most corporates at identifying and tackling market challenges, and how his own department looks to manage such hurdles.
Mr Ford also discusses why finding ways to increase efficiencies is especially pertinent for in-house teams in the new year, why it is so important to re-evaluate those processes on a regular basis, how optimising a department’s processes makes all other urgent priorities e…
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Jan 18, 2023
What M&A will look like in 2023
Award-winning dealmaker Sandy Mak is optimistic about the M&A outlook in Australia this year. It will be critical, however, for practitioners in this space to take advantage of the fortuitous marketplace trends, she notes.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Corrs Chambers Westgarth partner and head of corporate Sandy Mak — who last year won the Dealmaker of the Year category at the Women in Law Awards — to discuss her headline reflections on the mergers and acquisitions market in 2022 and what lessons were learnt from the past 12 months, why she is an optimist about the market and, particularly, Australia’s position relative to other jurisdictions.
Ms Mak also discussed how energy, healthcare and tech sectors are creating fertile ground for M&A practitioners, how ESG considerations can and will dictate success this year, some of the challenges that lawyers will face this year, as well as the opportunities, and some best practice pri…
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Jan 15, 2023
Protégé: ‘I’ve overcome so much already’
Almost 13 years ago, Rebecca Bishop was in a horrific car accident, which she says she is lucky to have survived. Following this, she has not only overcome the physical and emotional trauma inherent in such an accident but has also emerged from it with pertinent life lessons for all legal professionals. (Editor’s note: This episode may be distressing for some listeners. Discretion is advised.)
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Elite Building Services co-founder and self-proclaimed Office Goddess and R U OK? Day community ambassador Rebecca Bishop about how and why she has learnt what is most important to her vocationally, her journey of coming to legal study and navigating that course whilst working, what it’s like being an off-campus student and why being a lawyer is the proudest achievement of her life.
Ms Bishop also details the car accident she experienced and the toll it had on her, how she began to move her life forward again,…
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Jan 12, 2023
The role of industry in legal education
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Leo Cussen Centre for Law, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Leo Cussen executive director Shirley Southgate to discuss the symbiotic relationship between the legal profession and education providers, and why it is so integral.
Ms Southgate details the need for such symbiosis, the history of such collaboration, how the age of coronavirus taught the profession new ways of working together on legal education, the importance of proactivity in communicating educational needs, and how best providers can meaningfully create substantive educational programs.
She also reflects on the partnerships that Leo Cussen has and how these have been successful, the lessons to be gleaned from 50 years in operation, looming challenges on the horizon, ways to take advantage of market opportunities, new offerings that Leo Cussen currently has, and why such offerings are so enticing as we move forward in the new year.
To…
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Jan 10, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Getting passionate about contracts
Not enough boutique firm owners appreciate that contracts are inextricably linked not only to the day-to-day success of a business but also to an optimal client experience. This has to change.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Checklist Legal founder and chief contract enthusiast Verity White about how and why she became fascinated with the importance of contracts, why having an intricate knowledge and understanding of contracts is so integral for lawyers, the common mistakes that lawyers make with their utilisation of contracts, and what they need to consider when designing contracts.
Ms White also details how best to tick the right boxes in contract design, best practice principles regardless of practice area, prioritising contract updates amid the triage or urgent priorities, getting started on the journey, and why those who ignore the need to improve their contract utilisation will be get left behind.
If you like this episode,…
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Jan 9, 2023
Legal Lightbulbs: Do we need to go beyond unconscious bias awareness to effect true societal change?
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, our hosts — Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd — speak with Shakti Legal Solutions founder and principal Sheetal Deo about whether the legal profession needs to move beyond conversations about unconscious bias if we really want social change.
Jerome, Sheetal and Fionn discuss the nature and prevalence of unconscious bias, where Australia’s legal profession is at in raising awareness of and addressing such biases, why it is exhausting to even still have such conversations, and why the profession may hesitate to explore other avenues of change.
The trio also flesh out the unique opportunity that the profession currently has to enact substantial change, what such change looks like, whether radical revolution or a quiet dismantling of existing structures is needed (or whether there is a middle ground to be chartered), the hurdles blocking change, and how best to navigate such movement in the post-pandemic…
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Jan 5, 2023
Sport’s influence on all areas of law
Lawyers don’t always appreciate just how pervasive sport is — not just in discourse and society but also in the operational practice of law. Those who aren’t paying attention should do so, particularly given how many lessons can be gleaned for best practice.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Thomson Geer partner Jacquie Seemann about the need for greater cognisance about the place of sport in shaping the direction of society and legal practice, the lessons to be taken from recent sporting controversies both in Australia and globally, the extent to which the community wants sportspeople to discuss important issues, the advent of sportswashing, and how integral sport is to the development and functioning of society and its lawyers.
Ms Seemann also discusses her lifelong participation in sport, winning medals at the Maccabiah Games, her involvement in community projects, why keeping up her personal investment in sport is so important t…
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Jan 4, 2023
The Corporate Counsel Show: Will 2023 see even more recruitment activity in-house?
The past two years have seen high levels of movement, inbound and outbound, for in-house lawyers in Australia. With market volatility and uncertainty set to continue in the new year, it is certainly possible, if not likely, that such busy activity will continue in 2023.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back G2 Legal Australian director Daniel Stirling to reflect on the year that was in in-house recruitment, whether predictions made this time a year ago have panned out, what occurred that wasn’t anticipated, and perceptions about the advent or otherwise of the Great Resignation for corporate counsel.
Mr Stirling also reflects on the challenges that are expected for the coming year, whether a potential recession will impact in-bound recruitment in certain practice areas, how in-house leaders can leverage resilience and shore up their resources, whether 2023 will see even higher rates of activity in recruitment, and what will constitute b…
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Jan 3, 2023
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Identifying innovative modes of practice
Emma Maxwell practises what she calls “NewFamilyLaw”. Operating a legal business in such innovative ways is critical, she believes, in order to not only deliver optimal services to clients but also to practise in ways that make more sense to the modern lawyer.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Anchored Family Law director Emma Maxwell to discuss the advent of “NewFamilyLaw” and why practising in such a way is critical in the post-pandemic new normal, how and why such non-traditional pathways are appealing to her, and the issues and challenges that give rise to a need to practise in different ways.
Ms Maxwell also discusses the hardship she has faced whilst practising, what she has learnt from her experiences, why making necessary changes to day-to-day practice benefits everybody, knowing how and when to switch off, what such an approach looks like in 2023, and what excites her about such practical innovation for lawyers in t…
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Dec 29, 2022
Leaving law to become an intimacy coach
Emily Hickman has always had, as she says, a “deep care” for humanity and strongly desires to contribute positively to the world around her. As a lawyer-turned-intimacy-and-sexuality-coach, she is determined to help others better connect with themselves and the world around them, which will — among other things — help them be better at their jobs.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with lawyer turned intimacy and sexuality coach Emily Hickman about how and why she entered the legal profession, her desire to do good in the world, the ups and downs she has experienced in changing vocational direction, and the path that led her to upskilling as a coach for intimacy and sexuality.
Ms Hickman also outlines the parallels between her former career in law and the work she now does, what an intimacy coaching relationship looks like, creating connections where people actually feel seen, whether lawyers will be more willing to be open about…
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Dec 28, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ‘You’ve got to find your voice and ask’
Too often, in-house lawyers are afraid that they won’t be seen as hardworking or committed. However, speaking up for what one needs in order to flourish actually demonstrates an ability to adapt and better manage the juggle.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Royal Melbourne Hospital chief legal officer and corporate secretary Fleur Katsmartin about her construction of a pseudo-maternity leave arrangement whereby she retains some work whilst being on leave, why such an arrangement works for her, how best to make such arrangements work in the post-pandemic new normal, and how in-house lawyers can ensure they are getting the best deal for themselves.
Ms Katsmartin also discusses her longstanding interest in the health sector, how she fared working as a sole in-house lawyer for a hospital during a global pandemic, the challenges arising during such an age, and lessons learnt for other corporate counsel from being at the coalface.
If yo…
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Dec 22, 2022
The changing face of foreign interference, with Senator James Paterson
In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, shadow minister for cyber security and shadow minister for countering foreign interference, Senator James Paterson joins Phil Tarrant (director - Momentum Media) and MAJGEN (retired) Dr Marcus Thompson to discuss the regulatory impediments preventing Australia from becoming a leader in cyber security.
The group begins the podcast discussing the cyber security threats facing Australia and the role of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
Senator Paterson then details how foreign interference and espionage have overtaken terrorism as the primary security concern for Australia.
The team wraps up the podcast in outlining the importance of attracting the right talent with the right skills to power Australian cyber security businesses.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twi…
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Dec 21, 2022
Reflections on 40 years in law
Maithri Panagoda recently celebrated four decades in legal practice. In that time, he has learnt many lessons — including and especially the importance of integrity.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Carroll & O’Dea partner Maithri Panagoda to discuss his journey from Sri Lanka to Australia, how and when he realised that legal practice was his vocational calling, his passion for justice and the rule of law, the most significant periods and experiences in his legal career, and his perceptions of injustice.
Mr Panagoda also details the landmark cases he has been fortunate enough to work on, the impact of those cases, his time working in regional Australia, the lessons he has learnt over the course of his storied career, his advice for lawyers in the current climate, and what excites him about the future of law in Australia.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Law…
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Dec 20, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Can lawyers innovate, or are they doomed by the traditional mindset?
Australia’s legal profession has made great strides, in recent years, in transforming day-to-day practice methodologies. However, are lawyers their own worst enemies when it comes to achieving true and lasting innovation?
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, our hosts — Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd — speak with ALTA president and Legally Yours chief executive Karen Finch about barriers to innovation for lawyers, but also the unexpected creativity of lawyers.
The trio also debate whether legal practice should be focused on innovation even with economic storm clouds on the horizon, and the disparity between box-ticking exercises and truly innovative mindsets. They also provide some practical advice to lawyers who believe that things should be done better, but they aren’t sure where to start.
To learn more about Fionn Bowd, click here. If you have questions you want to see answered on this show, reach out to Jero…
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Dec 19, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Clear, concise communication with key stakeholders
In-house lawyers need to be seen as an extension of business objectives. In order to build such an impression, counsel must learn how to effectively and clearly communicate across all business functions.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Airbus One Web Satellites deputy general counsel and University of Miami School of Law Adjunct Professor Krista Russell to discuss her passion for the business of law, the defined role she sees for in-house counsel, the gap in knowledge that law graduates have pertaining to legal practice, and why in-house lawyers need to be especially cognisant of the nexus between communication and business success.
Ms Russell also details why overcoming challenges in effective and clear communication is so integral to overcoming other department-wide challenges, the practical steps that in-house counsel can implement to ensure they are communicating in better ways, avoiding particular phrases or terms that might be…
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Dec 18, 2022
Supporting women lawyers into leadership positions
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with legalsuper, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with legalsuper executive manager of people and culture, Jessica Lancashire, in the wake of the inaugural Women in Law Forum about how best the profession can ensure female practitioners can thrive and secure their futures.
The pair reflect on the evolution of conversations about Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) over the years, the state of affairs for the advancement of D&I in Australia’s legal profession, how well or otherwise the profession is doing in promoting equality for women coming through the ranks, the fiscal imperative in doing so, and the prevalence of self-stigma in having such conversations.
Ms Lancashire also details how best existing leaders can support emerging leaders in their growth and development, the need to find new and creative ways to support the next generation, the Artesian Female Leaders Venture Capital Fund and its work to support wo…
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Dec 14, 2022
Innovation in legal education
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Leo Cussen Centre for Law, we explore the nexus between lawyers’ professional development and legal innovation, and why thinking differently about education in a post-pandemic market is so essential.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Leo Cussen mentor and lawyer Liz Chase and ANIKA Legal chief executive Noel Lim to discuss the state of affairs in legal innovation, how and why the importance of innovation has been heightened in recent times, the inextricable need to improve access to justice, and the place for partnerships for optimal delivery of legal education in the future, such as that between Leo Cussen and ANIKA.
Liz and Noel also delve into the need to develop a disruptive mindset that can heal a broken system, the broader benefits that those coming through the ranks can provide to broader society by thinking and practising differently, the need to avoid being left behind in such professional…
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Dec 13, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Mediation is now its own profession
Emily Barnes sensed, as an in-house lawyer, that there weren’t enough female mediators, with a glaring gap in the marketing being that certain voices weren’t being heard. Now working as a mediator, she feels it is “the best job I’ve ever had”.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Dewberry mediator Emily Barnes to discuss her varied career paths prior to finding mediation, why moving into this space was so personally and professionally important for her, whether there still exists an imbalance in the mediation space, and her perception of the state of affairs for mediation in Australia as we head into a new year.
Ms Barnes also outlines how and why mediation use is increasing and why it is now its own standalone profession as opposed to being a retirement plan for lawyers, the opportunities being created by increased demand for services, practical steps to get more involved in mediation work, best practice principles for mediators…
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Dec 9, 2022
How lawyers should view interest rates heading into 2023
Earlier this week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised interest rates for the eighth consecutive month. How should legal professionals who hold mortgages, and those who may hold mortgages in the near future, interpret the moves by the RBA and the economic climate around them?
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Legal Home Loans director of sales Cullen Haynes and legal lending specialist Josh Jaramillo mere minutes after the RBA’s December cash rate call about what the latest rise in interest rates means for lawyers with mortgages, the advent of the “fixed repayment cliff”, and whether lawyers should be looking at breaking their rates early.
The pair also detail how younger practitioners who are looking to get into the property market should interpret the current climate, the available good news amidst the pain points, including the incentives that lawyers have access to when borrowing money, what 2023 could have in store, part…
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Dec 7, 2022
Supporting the next generation of women in finance
Camilla Love started F3 — Future Females in Finance to bring more women into the financial services industry. The program — which won the Women’s Community Program of the Year award 2022 from the Women in Finance Awards 2022 — aims to educate young women about careers and finance and nudge as many of the next generation of female talent into financial services as possible.
In this episode of In Focus, partnered by Mortgage Choice, we catch up with the founder of F3 (and managing director of eInvest), Camilla Love, and Mortgage Choice's executive manager corporate communications, events & franchise marketing, Sally Chadwick, to discuss what more we can do to ensure greater female representation in finance.
Tune in to find out:
* The turning point that led Camilla Love to start F3
* What we can be doing to welcome more women into financial services
* What the future looks like for women in finance
And much more!
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Dec 6, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Being an outsider in law and later finding your calling
In a predominantly white corporate landscape, Australia’s legal profession can be a daunting place for those who don’t necessarily fit the preconceived mould. How best, then, can one identify one’s place as a lawyer?
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, our hosts — Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd — speak with lawyer turned high-performance life and business coach Rugare Gomo about his journey as a black, gay, migrant lawyer, the fronts on which he felt that he had to fight, and how and why he consciously left the law.
Rugare discusses feeling pressure from family and his community, working his way through the legal profession, the issues he felt he couldn’t ask about or discuss, making the decision to leave law and move into coaching, how all professionals can better utilise inclusive language and techniques, the pain points that lawyers have in being able to find their true callings, why mental health can be such a critic…
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Dec 6, 2022
Looming legislation for crypto, open banking and payments
The financial services regulatory regime is “designed to be technology agnostic, so it ought to keep pace as much as possible with new products and new ways of delivering those products”. However, given seismic shifts in recent times, the current regime “just doesn’t fit”.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with K&L Gates partner Daniel Knight to discuss how and why existing laws haven’t kept pace with the rapid evolution of cryptocurrency and changes in open banking and payments, why there is a need for a more tailored response, recent developments that have accelerated the need for new laws, and what such introduced legislation could look like.
Mr Knight also responds to questions about the reasonableness and likelihood of forward-looking legislation and regulation in this space, how such developments will impact upon the day-to-day work of lawyers in financial services, whether any fluctuations are likely if a recession hits, wh…
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Dec 6, 2022
Property Finance Uncut: RBA delivers Christmas rate rise pain — Here’s how borrowers should spend their holidays
With the Reserve Bank of Australia delivering a year-end rate pain and borrowers facing a dreaded “mortgage cliff” this Christmas, these experts recommend mortgage holders change up their holiday plans and take steps to strengthen their financial positions.
With the central bank pumping up the cash rate to its highest level in a decade this December, Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages chief executive Paul Glossop call on mortgage holders to review their loans and take proactive steps to weather the rate hike headwinds.
The duo also lay out strategies on how investors can strengthen their balance sheets, such as increasing their rental prices, extracting equity, repricing their existing loan or refinancing with a more pocket-friendly lender.
They also touch on the latest inflation data and give their take on when the worst will be over for Aussie borrowers.
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Dec 4, 2022
The nexus between recruitment and legal education
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Leo Cussen Centre for Law, we explore the “pivotal moment” in recruitment we are currently witnessing and why having a better understanding of how best to attract and retain top talent, by way of upskilling, is critical.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Leo Cussen manager of industry engagement and careers Alex Giannopoulos and Leo Cussen director of CPD Linda Baxter to discuss why the nexus between recruitment and legal education is so pertinent in the current climate, whether team leaders are more cognisant of the need to upskill, the current state of affairs for legal recruitment, and anticipated opportunities for such leaders moving forward into the new year.
Alex and Linda also outline their top tips for selecting the right candidate, how to navigate the interview process, getting candidates over the line, best practice principles that may not have been applicable pre-pandemic, and how best…
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Dec 1, 2022
‘There’s still that bamboo ceiling out there,’ says BigLaw managing partner
We “can’t change the world in one day”, says Squire Patton Boggs Perth managing partner Tony Chong. However, he can and is doing what he can to promote diverse workplaces and reduce discrimination in the broader community.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Mr Chong — one of the first non-white managing partners of a BigLaw firm in Australia — about his journey in law (including a background in accounting), whether he aspired to the leadership position he is now in, the value of being involved in community work and not-for-profit organisations, and how best lawyers can roll up their sleeves for such work.
Mr Chong also details his focus on diversity at Squire Patton Boggs, what he has observed over the years with regard to the bamboo ceiling, the presence of unconscious bias, what guidance he has for other law firm leaders around Australia, whether he is optimistic about the capacity for meaningful change in Australia’s legal p…
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Nov 30, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Creating a connected legal function
On this special episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, produced in partnership with LawVu, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LawVu chief legal evangelist Shaun Plant about empowering in-house lawyers to upskill and have more impact on their organisations.
Mr Plant details his legal career to date, why upskilling in-house is so critical, the nexus between such professional development and fulfilment as a lawyer, the four key pillars to a connected legal function (including a focus on productivity, optimising engagement, proactivity and focusing on impact), the evolution or otherwise of best practice principles during the age of coronavirus, practical steps needed, and how to learn the skills essential to becoming a high-performing in-house legal team.
To learn more about LawVu, click here.
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Nov 29, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Showcasing your worth to the profession and the public
Prospective clients, and the broader legal profession, will often have preconceptions about a lawyer’s capacity — particularly when it comes to working women with families. Professionals must, Alana Jacquet says, be confident in their own abilities and vocational pathways, and not let anyone get in the way.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Our Lawyers principal Alana Jacquet about her move from Sydney to the Southern Highlands of NSW, how and why the opportunity arose for her to assume the management of a boutique firm, the challenges she has experienced in running a business and managing a team, and how such experiences have shaped her sense of self as a lawyer.
Ms Jacquet also details the struggles she has faced in proving herself to the market given her juggling of family and professional responsibilities, how commonplace such experiences are for women lawyers, the approaches she has taken to push back against such perceptions,…
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Nov 27, 2022
Protégé: What makes a good advocate?
Advocacy is, arguably, the “purest form of lawyering”. Learning how to do it well, two senior practitioners argue, is fundamental.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Chamberlains Law Firm director James d’Apice and senior associate Hugh Smith to discuss why advocacy skills are so critical for the next generation of lawyers to develop, what it feels like to be an advocate, and why it is so important to them to better educate those coming through the ranks about best practice.
The pair also outline the holistic elements that shape a good advocate, balancing the competitive nature of advocacy against the need to look after one’s self, the non-negotiable tenets of good advocacy, how the age of coronavirus has reinforced or changed best practice principles, what advocacy looks like in the new normal, and how emerging lawyers can get more involved in such legal work.
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Nov 24, 2022
How lawyers can better engage neuropsychologists
When engaging an expert like a neuropsychologist, it is imperative that lawyers not only find the right expert but understand and appreciate why they are doing so and, therefore, what the right questions to ask will be.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back author and neuropsychologist Dr Hannah Korrel to discuss how and why lawyers would look to utilise the expertise of neuropsychologists and in what practice areas such expertise would be called upon, whether lawyers properly understand such expertise and know the right questions to ask.
Dr Korrel also details the practical steps that lawyers should take in ensuring they are asking the right questions, whether certain questions are one-size-fits-all or if certain principles are adaptable, how to engage the services of the right kind of professional, whether lawyers should upskill on neuropsychology, and why lawyers must be neuropsychological considerations for client service delivery as pa…
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Nov 21, 2022
Protégé: Having a greater social impact as a new practitioner
According to Noel Lim, “real justice means maintaining your rights as well as your dignity”. It’s a mantra he’s hoping to inspire in law students and grads coming through the ranks.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Anika Legal founding chief executive Noel Lim to discuss how and why the community legal centre got started, what it aims to do and why such work to ensure access to justice is so important, and how it involves students completing their practical legal training to bolster their professional skills and insight into key justice issues.
Mr Lim also details why access to affordable housing is such a pertinent challenge, how the age of coronavirus exacerbated such concerns, how to better look after one’s self whilst being immersed in such legal work, and how best those coming through the ranks can meaningfully make time for volunteer work such as addressing and providing safe and affordable housing.
If you like this epis…
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Nov 21, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: ‘We are experiencing a reckoning in the crypto market’
The recent collapse of crypto exchange FTX not only offers lessons but also provides an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties in regulating the digital assets and cryptocurrency space.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Stirling & Rose founding partner James Myint and managing director Natasha Blycha about what’s been happening in the crypto space, why the idea that crypto and digital assets are not regulated is a misnomer, the myriad difficulties in regulating this space, and whether such challenges can be overcome.
The pair also detail what happened to FTX and what lessons can be drawn from this episode, what further regulation we may see in this space, and what lawyers who work in digital assets, cryptocurrency and smart legal contracts have to look forward to in the near future.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Law…
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Nov 20, 2022
The increasing attractiveness of private debt
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Metrics Credit Partners, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Metrics managing partner Andrew Lockhart about all things private debt in the post-pandemic market and what investors are looking at as we look ahead to a potential global recession.
Mr Lockhart discusses the state of affairs for private debt, why it has been an attractive prospect for investors across the board and what is driving its increasing attractiveness in the wake of market volatility, what lessons can be learned from previous recessions if indeed another one comes to pass, and why geopolitical issues may have ripple effects.
He also delves into the ramping up of restructuring and insolvency, the role of private debt in such times, how best lawyers can perceive the state of affairs in determining how to advise their clients, the practical steps that legal professionals can and should be taking, and what non-bank lenders and alternative…
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Nov 15, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Bringing solutions and building confidence
Krystal Kovac assumed a leadership role in-house in her late 20s, and has learnt the key characteristics that help her bring the most benefit to an organisation – which will be particularly useful if a recession comes to pass in Australia.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Tonkin general counsel Krystal Kovac about her journey to leadership in-house at an early stage of her legal career, the importance of learning by doing, why truly listening to other business functions is so critical, and the balance between proactive and reactive collaboration across the organisation.
Ms Kovac also details the lessons she has learned that have helped her professional development as a general counsel, thinking holistically, the “big ticket” items she is focused on right now, her thoughts on how best GCs can make positive contributions in uncertain and volatile times, and the need for confidence in one’s self and one’s ability.
If you like…
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Nov 13, 2022
Protégé: Navigating neurodivergence and supporting emerging lawyers
Annabel Biscotto — both on a personal level and as president of the Australian Law Students’ Association — is on a mission to let the legal profession know that neurodiversity, and disability more broadly, is “nothing to be ashamed of”. It’s a conversation, she says, the profession needs to be engaging in more.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Annabel Biscotto, a third-year law student at Curtin University and president of ALSA, about how and why she got involved in extra-curricular activities at law school, her diagnosis and experience with ADHD, why she sees it as being a significant ailment, and how she manages her condition and navigates it day-to-day.
Ms Biscotto also reflects on the volume of neurodivergent persons in Australia, whether such conditions are the “new anxiety and depression” in the legal profession in terms of broader awareness, why advocating for better awareness and treatment of disability and neurodiv…
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Nov 11, 2022
Leadership in new-look workplace structures
Given the pace of change in work, health, and safety — not just legislatively, but also due to sociocultural and economic shifts in the wake of the pandemic — leaders in law must be well on top of how best to manage their teams, lest they be left behind in a post-pandemic marketplace.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Maddocks partner Catherine Dunlop about the state of affairs of workplace safety laws in Australia, the increased difficulty for leaders to look after staff in a post-pandemic landscape, looming legislative changes at the state and territory level, and how best workplaces can effectively monitor the health and wellbeing of staff in an increasingly hybrid working environment.
Ms Dunlop also touches on how best to ensure no one is falling through the cracks, better managing client relationships, the place of the billable hour moving forward, the duty of care that may be owed by law departments to their external provide…
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Nov 9, 2022
Is the profession getting better at talking about wellness?
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Support for Lawyers, we explore the changing landscape around wellness conversations in Australia’s legal profession, and whether the burden of responsibility is shifting in a post-pandemic new normal.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Support for Lawyers founder and director Marguerite Picard about her own journey as a lawyer and the professional struggles she has overcome, the critical importance of proactive efforts to manage lawyers’ wellness, the current state of affairs for the holistic health of Australian legal professionals, and the potential impact of recent marketplace changes.
Ms Picard also delves into who bears responsibility for the health and wellbeing of lawyers in the post-pandemic new normal and why, movement away from box-ticking mentalities, the need for greater collective education, and details the Support for Lawyers platform and why it is so beneficial for professionals.
T…
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Nov 8, 2022
Hiring constraints plaguing Australia’s legal profession
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with nrol, we dive into the headline hurdles that legal employers are having to overcome, particularly with a likely recession looming on the horizon.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with nrol director Jesse Shah about the current state of affairs for legal recruitment in Australia, the impact of preferences for remote working on hiring, the insurmountable challenges facing SME employers relative to BigLaw competitors and how employers are having to rethink their attraction strategies in the post-pandemic new normal.
Mr Shah also touches on the types of roles that are seeing elevated hiring challenges right now and why, the metropolitan areas of Australia that are facing particular issues, the gender split in recruitment at this critical juncture, the need for idiosyncratic approaches to hiring, and how a recession can and will impact upon legal recruitment, given what’s happened in the market in recent year…
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Nov 7, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Going paperless in a paper-heavy practice area
In practice areas like wills and estates, lawyers and clients alike have been heavily reliant on paper in years gone by. In today’s world, such an approach is no longer mainstream. Moving your practice towards more environmentally friendly and technologically reliant processes, and bringing the client along for the journey, is critical.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Safewill Legal lawyer Lauren Solomonson to discuss how and why she became a wills and estates lawyer, why making the transition to paperless is so important — especially for lawyers in this space, the challenges in making such a transition, and navigating the sensitivities of this particular practice area.
Ms Solomonson also details her own firm’s experience in making this transition, overcoming hurdles in the shift, evolving pricing structures, what’s happening across the market in wills and estates, challenges for such practitioners, and the extent to which inn…
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Nov 3, 2022
Meet the prosecutor pushing for better sex education
A limitation of the criminal justice system, ACT-based prosecutor and author Katrina Marson says, is that it is reactive to misconduct such as sexual violence. A more stringent, and proactive approach to education is needed nationwide, she argues — so as to improve sexual wellbeing and reduce harassment and assault.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by ACT Director of Public Prosecutions senior prosecutor Katrina Marson, who is also the author of Legitimate Sexpectations: The Power of Sex Ed. Ms Marson discusses her vocational journey as a prosecutor, why such work is personally and professionally meaningful, the limitations of the criminal justice system and the need to rebalance the burden of responsibility in reducing crime.
Ms Marson also delves into what new and improved education about sex could look like, societal receptiveness to the need for better education, ensuring that Australians across the board are exposed to age-ap…
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Nov 2, 2022
Insight into successful innovators driving change in their businesses
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, hear from two award-winning innovators about what constitutes successful innovation, in firms big and small, in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Lawyers Weekly Editor Jerome Doraisamy and National Director for Professional Services at Commonwealth Bank, Daniela Pasini, co-host this episode. We welcome Gilbert + Tobin Partner and Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer Caryn Sandler (winner of the Innovator of the Year category at the 2022 Australian Law Awards) and Peripheral Blue Founder and Managing Director Mellissa Larkin (winner of the Innovator of the Year category at the 2022 Partner of the Year Awards) to discuss all things innovation.
Ms Sandler and Ms Larkin reflect on whether innovation is client or firm-led led at this juncture, striking the right balance between proactive and reactive innovation. We delve into what constitutes internal and external innovation in law firms,…
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Oct 31, 2022
Property Finance Uncut: Aussie borrowers hammered again – can rates go any higher?
While the Reserve Bank’s rate hike trajectory is painting a grim horror story for mortgage holders, these experts say there’s strategic ways to beat the financial stress.
As the central bank announces its cash rate decision for November and warns of more rate pain to come, Smart Property Investment's Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages chief executive Paul Glossop explain how borrowers can “sharpen the pencil” on their mortgages.
And while inflation will likely continue to be an economic scourge for Aussies, the experts unpack how repricing your existing loan or refinancing with other lenders can help loosen the screws on the household budget.
The duo also urge borrowers to talk to mortgage professionals and enumerate what questions should be asked while they’re on the call to make sure they get the sharpest mortgage rates that fits their needs/situation.
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Oct 30, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Setting yourself up for success as a junior in-house lawyer
Since the early days of her legal career, award-nominated legal counsel Charlotte Olsen has been determined to garner broad, diverse professional experience. Such an approach means that, as a junior in-house lawyer, she is well placed to support not just her law department, but the business more broadly.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with NRL legal counsel Charlotte Olsen about the range of roles she had in law thus far and how such different vocational opportunities have served her, what her day-to-day looks like working for the National Rugby League, overcoming the proactive and reactive challenges in that role, and combining her passions for law and sport.
Ms Olsen also outlines how best junior legal counsel can put their hands up to better support across all business functions, determining the best modes of communication in a post-pandemic landscape, how those coming through the ranks can unpack and work through the myriad issues they…
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Oct 27, 2022
‘I felt like a failure as a woman and as a mother’
The birth of barrister Rhiannon Malone’s son, one year ago, was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, and that of her husband’s. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be the worst day they’d ever experienced. Here, she reflects on the trauma of unexplained loss. (Content warning: this episode may be distressing for some listeners. Discretion is advised.)
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Melbourne-based barrister Rhiannon Malone about her early days as a barrister, her experience with unexplained stillbirth and the impact upon her and her husband, and how such trauma has changed her sense of self (both personally and professionally).
Ms Malone also discusses how she has looked to make her way back from such trauma, including getting back into working life, stigma that barristers may feel about such experiences, how colleagues across the Victorian Bar have supported her, and what advice she would offer other lawyers about her expe…
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Oct 26, 2022
How to navigate negative interactions with stakeholders
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Madison Marcus, Theresa Armstrong details the importance of learning from uncomfortable or upsetting experiences – from the courtroom to client conference rooms – and how legal professionals can grow into the advocates they need to be.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Madison Marcus director Theresa Armstrong, who is the managing partner of the firm’s Parramatta office, about her storied career in law, why open conversations about upsetting moments with key stakeholders are needed, some of the teachable moments she’s experienced in her own career, why clients may feel emboldened to mistreat their lawyers, and the experience of women lawyers in such interactions.
Ms Armstrong also delves into practical ways that lawyers of all stripes can regain their confidence, develop their resilience, build up their emotional intelligence (particularly in a post-pandemic landscape, in which more lawyers are…
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Oct 26, 2022
Making financial services less ‘male, stale and pale’
The financial services industry has historically been male-dominated but encouraging more women into the space is not only good for society, but good for business too.
In this episode, partnered by Mortgage Choice, Anthony Waldron, chief executive of financial services and Mortgage Choice at the REA Group, outlines how the industry can move away from being “male, stale and pale” and encourage more women into the space.
Tune in to find out:
* The barriers that might be holding back female representation
* What can be done to encourage diversity in industry
* Why Mortgage Choice is partnering with the Women in Finance Awards 2022
And much more!
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your vo…
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Oct 25, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: The legal loophole that must be closed
Five years ago, the Coalition government announced it closed the loophole that enables perpetrators of sexual abuse to hide assets in superannuation. Since then, nothing has changed. As such, Andrew Carpenter is on a mission to ensure that this changes — and soon.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks to Websters Lawyers senior associate Andrew Carpenter about how and why he started working with survivors of sexual abuse, the financial issues they encounter, the impact upon those survivors, and the broader legal and societal implications for perpetrators being able to hide assets in their super accounts.
Mr Carpenter also delves into the specific changes that advocates like himself — and numerous foundations he collaborates with, including the Grace Tame Foundation — are pushing for, the likelihood that the new Labor government will introduce measures to close this loophole, the state of affairs in jurisdictions across Austral…
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Oct 23, 2022
Protégé: Knowing how and when to start your own firm
Becoming one’s own employer can be a daunting prospect. However, if the right opportunity presents itself, junior lawyers should be unafraid to grab it with both hands.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with award-nominated lawyer and principal of KF Lawyers Australia, Katrina Favre, about the circumstances that led to her leaving her job to set up her own firm, the personal and professional deliberations that went into making that decision, the navigation of client relationships in such a process, and weighing up the pros and cons of such a vocational window of opportunity.
Ms Favre also reflects on making such a leap during a global pandemic, ensuring that one’s branding is up to scratch in order to succeed, the challenges to overcome in establishing a new practice as a junior lawyer, the non-negotiable steps that a new business owner must take, thinking of one’s self as a business owner and not just a lawyer, and why others coming throu…
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Oct 21, 2022
Ethical conduct in the modern marketplace
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers director Noor Blumer to discuss the application of ethics, and ethical conduct, particularly in uncertain and turbulent times, and why ethical conduct remains so critically important for all lawyers.
Ms Blumer outlines practical examples of ethical problems she has witnessed during her storied career, why ethical conduct is as important as ever, if the need for ethical conduct is heightened in the current age, navigating particular hypothetical ethical conundrums, whether abiding by ethical conduct rules is becoming harder, and her guidance for fellow lawyers in ensuring optimal ethics in the post-pandemic new normal.
To learn more about Blumers, click here.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and…
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Oct 19, 2022
LawTech Talks: Tech’s impact upon the rule of law
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with LexisNexis, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LexisNexis executive vice-president and general counsel Ian McDougall about how technology, in general, is proving to be as much of a challenge to the rule of law as a support to it.
Mr McDougall details how and why there is an intersection between the rule of law and the advancement of legal technological platforms and processes. Are lawyers losing sight of the importance of the rule of law amidst the mainstreaming of legal tech? He discusses the practical steps that lawyers must take to ensure the rule of law is not lost in the shuffle, why the rule of law is not a competing priority in the wake of myriad market disruption and turbulence, and the benefits that will flow — both for lawyers and their clients — should the rule of law be promoted in one’s use of tech.
For more information about the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation at their efforts, click here.…
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Oct 18, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Lessons for legal counsel from the Optus cyber attack
Corporate counsel have, for some time, been cognisant of the need to be more adept with cyber security. The recent Optus attack is not only a timely reminder of this need — but it also offers myriad lessons and warnings for in-house lawyers in how they manage their business’ affairs.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes Hall & Wilcox partner and head of cyber Eden Winokur to discuss the fallout from the recent cyber attack on telco giant Optus, the key takeaways from a legal standpoint from that attack, and why in-house lawyers must see this as a wake-up call for ensuring that cyber is front and centre of everything that they do within and for their business.
Mr Winokur details the corporate lessons from the attack, practical steps that corporate counsel can and must take moving forward, stakeholders with whom they have to engage, challenges they will have to navigate, and the opportunities to be grasped in prioritising cyber moving f…
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Oct 14, 2022
Good partners embrace discomfort
Despite multiple award wins, Jason Betts doesn’t allow himself to get complacent. No matter what, he always pushes himself to do more and won’t ever presume that a client is fully satisfied with his service. Being comfortable in such discomfort, he feels, has been critical to his success.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Herbert Smith Freehills partner Jason Betts — who won the Litigation Partner, the Dispute Resolution Partner, and the Excellence Award categories at the 2022 Partner of the Year Awards — about the traits that are necessary to success for law firm leaders, avoiding intellectual arrogance, and having the fortitude to be humble.
Mr Betts also explains why he thinks partners must be comfortable being uncomfortable, what that looks like and how to embrace it, what he has learnt from failures in his career, maintaining hunger for the role, and offers advice for aspiring partners in the modern marketplace.
If y…
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Oct 13, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Can we make the office better than home?
The novelty of working remotely, or flexibly, has not worn off for many legal professionals. The mainstreaming of WFH is, for some, an irreversible trend. But are there ways that the office can become a more enticing workspace?
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, our hosts — Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd — reflect on the bounty of choice that legal professionals have in determining where they work from each day, the systemic and environmental issues that meant that some pre-pandemic workplaces were not conducive to collegiality and development, and why businesses should even see upside in having staff come back in to a shared workspace.
The hosts also dive into whether the law office is even salvageable in the post-pandemic new normal, how best collaboration and efficiency can be gleaned in new-look office spaces, the inextricable need for better training and development in person, and understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-a…
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Oct 12, 2022
Protégé: Advocating for your career progression
Advocating for your career as a junior lawyer is “not just about going for the next rung” — so much more is involved, says this professional.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with K&L Gates lawyer Mei Gong about her career to date, how she learnt about the need to advocate for one’s career, why it is so important for junior lawyers to do so, and whether such advocacy comes naturally to her and to other new legal professionals.
Ms Gong also discusses her experiences during the COVID-19 lockdowns and how they inspired her to better advocate for herself, what she has learnt along the way, the questions that junior lawyers should ask of themselves in getting started on the advocacy journey, practical steps to take, and what she has learnt about herself — personally and professionally — on her journey.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by followi…
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Oct 6, 2022
10 years on from hospitalisation for anxiety and depression
One decade ago (to the date of publication of this episode), Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy admitted himself to hospital, in light of his spiralling anxiety and depression, which verged on suicide ideation. Here, he reflects on that period of ill-health, his journey since, and lessons learned.
Content warning: This episode contains content that may be disturbing or distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Herbert Smith Freehills senior associate Codie Asimus interviews Jerome Doraisamy about his mental breakdown 11 years ago, the 18-month bout of ill-health that followed (including hospitalisation), what he learned from his experiences with severe clinical anxiety and depression, and how he feels reflecting on that time of his life, one decade on.
Codie and Jerome also discuss the current state of affairs for wellness in Australia’s legal profession, the evolving role of team leaders post-pandemic and the…
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Oct 4, 2022
Property Finance Uncut – October ‘22
A must-listen for anyone with a mortgage, Property Finance Uncut gives Aussies the latest intel on the lending scene.
Join Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages chief executive Paul Glossop to unpack the latest Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate decision.
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Oct 3, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Incorporating change into a firm business model
Since its inception in 1976, Sunshine Coast-based firm Bradley & Bray Lawyers has had numerous iterations. Being open and receptive to change, and incorporating such a willingness into a firm’s business model, is imperative if that business is to roll with the times.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Bradley & Bray Lawyers director Jacob Corbett to discuss his journey to firm leadership in his late 20s, how his firm has evolved since the 1970s and why, and how his mentor instilled in him the importance of seeking out perspectives from the next generation of leaders.
Mr Corbett also delves into why new iterations of a boutique law firm are so important in an ever-changing marketplace, how best small firms can evolve with the times, what lessons can be learned from such change, and his advice to other firm leaders about ensuring such change is baked into one’s value proposition and business model.
If you like this episode, show your…
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Oct 2, 2022
LawTech Talks: How technology helps women lawyers succeed
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with mattero, we explore the role that legal tech has played, and will continue to play, in supporting the growth trajectory and success of women legal professionals.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by mattero marketing manager Fiona Chevallier-Knospe, By George Legal director Georgina O’Farrell, TBA Law principal solicitor and founder Jacqueline Brauman, and Balance Family Law director and co-founder Perpetua Kish to discuss the nexus between legal technology and pathways in law for women lawyers, what legal practice management currently looks like for women in the profession, and how day-to-day life as lawyers is shifting following the age of coronavirus.
The guests also discuss headline challenges and opportunities moving forward in the post-pandemic market, their experiences to date with legal tech and how it has helped them better manage their businesses, what there is to look forward to with utilisation of te…
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Sep 29, 2022
‘There’s so much going on in the defence industry’
The defence industry will likely be one of the most high-profile in the coming years. The pace of change together with sociopolitical, technological and environmental factors make it a fascinating and stimulating space to be in, says one lawyer.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Piper Alderman senior associate Travis Shueard to discuss his passion for defence industry work, how and why he saw an opportunity to steer his legal career in this direction, what the day-to-day looks like for lawyers in this space, and having a heightened sense of purpose as a practitioner.
Mr Shueard also delves into finding the best value as a lawyer in this space, the best practice principles for legal service, challenges to overcome in the defence industry space, navigating environmental shifts, trends and opportunities looming on the horizon, his own professional goals, and thoughts on how much the defence industry space might grow in the coming years.…
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Sep 29, 2022
LawTech Talks: The skills divide
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with LexisNexis, we explore the skills divide for technology use in the workplace, the need to acknowledge and embrace the spectrum of proficiency, and how best to bridge that divide in the post-pandemic new normal.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LexisNexis head of UX research (Asia and Pacific) Chantelle Maree about what the skills divide is, the generational differences driving that proficiency spectrum, the extent to which the spectrum is actual versus perceived, and why addressing that spectrum is so critical for legal practitioners and businesses amidst current market turbulence and uncertainty.
Ms Maree also delves into the practical ways that the skills divide can be address, the nexus between the divide and psychological safety, why the divide is not yet insurmountable, the responsibilities upon individuals to upskill, and how LexisNexis can assist.
To learn more about LexisNexis, click here.
If you l…
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Sep 27, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Contractor safety management 101
The management of contractor safety is “one of the most misunderstood areas of law”. At a time when in-house counsel are so busy with other urgent priorities, the safety of their business’ contractors cannot be forgotten.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by LinkSafe freelance legal consultant and ContractorSAFE legal and safety consultant Sue Bottrell to discuss why contractor safety management is such an important conversation, why it is a blind spot for many lawyers right now, and the holistic approach needed to such safety.
Ms Bottrell also discusses the practical steps that can and should be taken by employers and their legal departments to shore up their contractor safety management practices and policies, the need to ensure that the onus of responsibility falls on certain parties, and broader guidance for in-house counsel in seeing this broader conversation as being inextricably linked to one’s duties.
If you like this e…
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Sep 27, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: The power of pivoting
From niching down a firm’s practice offerings to opening a new regional office, Kerri Shaw and Gemma Bunner have learned the importance of regularly evaluating the health and direction of their firm.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Shaw & Bunner Legal founders, Kerri Shaw and Gemma Bunner, to discuss how and why they founded a firm together in the Hunter region in NSW, how the firm has fared in its first few years, why they have opted to scale down the number of practice areas they offer to clients, and the recent opening of their second office, in Gunnedah.
Ms Shaw and Ms Bunner also reflect on the general health of regional law firms in the wake of the age of coronavirus, adapting to changing dynamics (both in the market and within one’s own business), why it is so important to regularly evaluate how the firm is performing, the questions that must be asked as part of such a process, and what the future looks like for regional fi…
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Sep 22, 2022
What makes a good mediator?
Mediation is on the rise — not just as a practice methodology, but as an avenue for litigious proceedings. Those operating in this space need to not only be able to adapt to changing circumstances, but also unlearn certain traits gleaned as a legal professional.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Nicole Davidson — a Melbourne-based commercial mediator and negotiation consultant who recently won the inaugural Mediator/Arbitrator of the Year category at the 2022 Australian Law Awards — about how and why she got into mediation as a vocational path, why mediation is such a critical avenue, the motivations of clients and whether lawyers are as open to mediation as an avenue as they should be in the course of litigation.
Ms Davidson also delves into the headline issues and challenges for mediation as a growth area, whether mediation is on the rise in Australia, navigating evolving environmental circumstances and therefore different…
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Sep 21, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Why risk management is the #1 concern for law departments
On this special episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, produced in partnership with LOD, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Australian managing director Paul Cowling and head of market insights Mark Dodd about its recently released report, Risky Busyness, exploring the state of in-house teams globally.
The pair reflect on the key challenges being faced by law departments around the world, why risk management is top of mind for general counsel, why talent attraction and retention are such a concern and whether idiosyncrasies of in-house life are contributing to such hurdles.
Mr Cowling and Mr Dodd also detail the top priorities for in-house teams, how law departments can better demonstrate value to other business functions, what departments are investing in, the perception of law departments within their businesses, and how legal teams must view the findings of this report.
To read the full report, click here.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating u…
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Sep 19, 2022
Parallels between 19th century Britain and today’s criminal justice approaches
It is striking, Victorian shadow minister Dr Matt Bach MP notes, how similar the criminal justice remedies of 200 years ago are to today’s policies and processes. To that end: has Australia learned from history?
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Victorian shadow minister for transport infrastructure, child protection and youth justice Dr Matthew Bach MP about his thoughts on the criminal justice system, and specifically youth justice, in the context of needed law reform — both in Victoria and across Australia.
Dr Bach reflects on his career and journey in politics, his PhD in 19th century British history, the similarities between criminal justice approaches of that age and today’s world, lessons to be drawn from such similarities, what might need to change in today’s landscape (particularly against the backdrop of the post-pandemic world), how lawyers can contribute to such processes, and what the Victorian Liberals will do on the…
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Sep 16, 2022
‘It’s a candidate’s market’, and other salary trends
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Empire Group, we explore emerging trends in salaries for legal professionals on Australia’s east coast and what these trends mean for legal recruitment in a post-pandemic market.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Empire Group partner Alison Crowther to discuss the company’s recently released 2022 Legal Salary Guide, explore the latest developments in salaries in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, why such developments are so consequential, and what they mean against the backdrop of the supposed Great Resignation following the age of coronavirus.
Ms Crowther also reflects on the phenomenon of “quiet quitting” in the context of recruitment, why emerging trends reinforce what we know about the recruitment market, the role of legal recruiters moving forward, and what candidates can look forward to in the future.
To learn more about Empire Group and its salary guide, click here.
If you like t…
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Sep 15, 2022
Managing media in high-profile cases
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, we delve into the practice management hurdles that can and do arise when representing clients involved in high-profile proceedings.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Blumers director Noor Blumer about the rules and principles guiding lawyers in high-profile proceedings and the extent to which media can or should be engaged, difficulty of such management in the age of social media, balancing media engagement against a client’s best interests and advising clients about best practice.
Ms Blumer also outlines lessons she’s learnt from high-profile cases in the past, her personal experience in such matters, practical steps to take to better control the media narrative, the critical importance of good communication, what lawyers must avoid doing, and how lawyers can learn more about their duties and responsibilities with media. To learn more about Blumers and its medical…
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Sep 12, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Building a business in a burgeoning regional hub
Legal work in regional towns is ramping up in the post-pandemic market. For leaders like Najeh Marhaba, it provides a great opportunity to bolster one’s practises amidst increased competition — whilst still enjoying the lifestyle benefits of being out of the major metropolitan areas.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Hicksons partner-in-charge in Newcastle Najeh Marhaba about how he and his family ended up moving out of Sydney and to Newcastle and the Hunter region, his experience of working in regional NSW, how and why there is an increased volume of work in the regions post-pandemic and how such increases bolster national firm’s growth.
Mr Marhaba also delves into the looming challenges for regional practices in a post-pandemic market, how well placed regional practices are to withstand the ongoing economic turmoil, growth opportunities for big and small practices in the regions, and why others can and should consider growing the…
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Sep 11, 2022
Regulating space junk
On this episode, brought to you by Lawyers Weekly’s sister brand, Space Connect, host Adam Thorn speaks with Joel Lisk, a space law research associate at the Jeff Bleich Centre at Flinders University in South Australia and a PhD candidate at the Adelaide Law School.
Mr Lisk recently co-authored a research paper on the regulation of satellite constellations and space debris in low-Earth orbit alongside Melissa de Zwart. In this episode, he speaks to Adam about how he found himself in the emerging field of space law and the complexities of the field. They further discuss the increasing risk of space debris on earth and in orbit and look at some of the avenues for regulation.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or…
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Sep 8, 2022
Bias in court proceedings
Instances of bias are “incredibly rare” in Australia’s judicial system. However, given Australians’ right to independent and impartial hearings, it is imperative for lawyers to understand and appreciate how best to serve their clients if and when actual or apprehended bias manifests.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Armstrong Legal national practice director of criminal law Angela Cooney and J Sutton Associates director Andrew Tiedt to discuss the different forms of bias in court proceedings, how frequently bias occurs in hearings, and high-profile instances of bias arising in Australian courts and what was learnt from those cases.
Ms Cooney and Mr Tiedt also respond to questions about what can be construed as actual or apprehended bias, what criminal lawyers need to know about managing prospective or perceived bias, whether the advent of virtual hearings helps or hinders lawyers in identifying instances of bias, and how bias ca…
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Sep 7, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Do in-house lawyers owe their law firms a duty of care?
Many lawyers move in-house seeking greater work/life balance. What they cannot forget, however, is that they may have a responsibility to the health and wellbeing of the law firm’s lawyers they brief.
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, our hosts — Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd — reflect on the extent that law departments, and particularly leaders of those in-house teams, owe a duty of care to the firms that make up their external legal services panels (even if that duty isn’t written into a position description).
The pair discuss the moral and ethical imperatives to support other professionals and the need for a holistic approach to stakeholder management. They consider the capacity of firms to turn down work in favour of clients who may offer better working conditions, and the balancing act with which in-house legal teams must grapple when working with firms but also meeting the needs of their internal clients. Jerome and Fi…
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Sep 7, 2022
Property Finance Uncut – September ‘22
A must-listen for anyone with a mortgage, Property Finance Uncut gives Aussies the latest intel on the lending scene.
Join Smart Property Investment’s Phil Tarrant and Finni Mortgages chief executive Paul Glossop to unpack the latest Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate decision.
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Sep 6, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Finding freedom as a lawyer
Laura Frederick, a former senior in-house counsel at Tesla, loved her job at the global behemoth. What was missing, however, was a sense of freedom over her personal and professional beings — something that only she could create for herself.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with How To Contract founder and president, and former Tesla lawyer, Laura Frederick about her legal career to date, her experiences at Tesla and what life is like working for one of the world’s most talked-about companies, her background and interest in contracts and how and why she decided to “niche down” into this area of practice.
Ms Frederick also explains why niching down was so important for her as a corporate counsel, rather than trying to be the jack-of-all-trades, why she decided to leave in-house to run her own firm, why having freedom in one’s day-to-day is so critical, what freedom means to her, and how best other corporate counsel can source such…
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Sep 5, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Enacting a succession plan
No one starts a law firm thinking about how they’re going to exit it. However, it is imperative (particularly in an age of turbulence) to not only ensure continuity in your business once you leave it but also do so in a way that makes both personal and professional sense to you and your successor.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Justitia founding partner Sarah Rey and new managing partner Melissa Scadden to talk about the inception and early years of the Melbourne-based boutique, how and why Ms Rey determined she needed to step away from the position of firm head, Ms Scadden’s career and when and why assuming a leadership role made sense to her.
Ms Rey and Ms Scadden also detail their pre-requisites for undertaking a succession process, and the elements involved, the personal factors that go into such considerations, the firm mission moving forward, how succession planning can be undertaken in a post-pandemic market, whether it is…
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Sep 5, 2022
Barristers in the new normal
Australian Bar Association president Dr Matt Collins QC says he is proud of how well barristers across the country have adapted to the new normal in recent years. Looking ahead, the bar is shaping up to be a stronger, more united cohort as a result, he believes.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Australian Bar Association president Dr Matt Collins QC to discuss his personal experiences of practice during the age of coronavirus, how he feels barristers fared in general, the advent of virtual hearings and other changes that barristers have had to grapple with, and whether professionals have had to relearn what it means to be a barrister.
Dr Collins also stresses the importance of retaining the art of persuasion in whatever hearing one appears in, what the future looks like for in-person chambers, whether barristers could embrace hot-desking, how regional barristers have fared in this age, turning old courthouses into spaces for virtual h…
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Sep 2, 2022
An age of excitement for leaders in law
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA), learn more about what the future will hold for legal practice managers, including all those with leadership and management responsibilities, as we exit the age of coronavirus.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with ALPMA strategic learning and development manager Fiona Croswell and PwC directors of NewLaw Eric Chin and Carl White about who ALPMA is and what it does, the headline issues for all legal practice managers in the post-pandemic new normal, juggling client expectations in the new normal, striking the right balance moving forward, and necessary skills to ensure that balance.
The trio also reflect on the ongoing war for talent and the rise of new roles in legal businesses, the pace of change and need for adaptability, ensuring that all employees feel accommodated and that they have purpose, why the current age is so exciting for legal…
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Aug 31, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Is ‘quiet quitting’ a good thing for the profession?
“Quiet quitting” is more than a TikTok fad. It may have far-reaching consequences for daily legal practice and the evolution of businesses in law. Is this good or bad for the legal profession
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, hosts Jerome Doraisamy and Fionn Bowd reflect on what “quiet quitting” means in the context of Australia’s legal profession and why lawyers are so fascinated with the concept. They discuss whether it is reasonable for lawyers to “quietly quit” their jobs by silently refusing to do more than they are paid for and the pejorative nature of the term itself.
The pair also flesh out the broader rejection of traditional, longstanding modes of practising law and debate who might be more likely to “quietly quit” their jobs. They ask about the relationship between “quiet quitting” and our duties to the court and our clients, and what “quiet quitting” means against the backdrop of the Great Resignation. Jerome and Fionn touch on the ever-incr…
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Aug 30, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ‘We are building the plane as we fly’
The most successful fast-growing companies are ones that are not only open to change, but are “naturally wired” to be comfortable practising and operating in non-traditional modes. The law department plays a critical role in driving such an approach.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by harrison.ai general counsel and company secretary Jennifer Mulheron to discuss what life is like at the healthcare tech start-up and why such work is so rewarding, the importance of being open-minded with shifts in one’s career trajectory, and managing the juggle of being GC and co sec.
Ms Mulheron also delves into the hurdles for tech start-ups to overcome in the current climate, moving past a risk-averse mindset, trends on the horizon for in-house lawyers in this space moving forward, whether merger and acquisition lawyers are well-suited to life in tech start-ups, and getting comfortable with practising and advising clients in different…
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Aug 29, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Getting maximum mileage out of your marketing
There has been a shift, marketing expert Aleks Czerwinski says, away from traditional business presentation towards establishing emotional connections with clients and communities. Therefore, being authentic is imperative if a firm’s marketing campaigns are to tell a story and resonate broadly.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Pump Me Up founder Aleks Czerwinski to discuss her career to date in marketing and how she came to work with and for law firms, her broad perception of how well law firms in Australia are doing with their marketing efforts, the biggest mistakes that SME firms make with marketing, and misconceptions that they might have.
Ms Czerwinski also dives into the hesitancy to commit to campaigns, practical steps that firms must take to ensure longevity from their marketing efforts, whether there is a specific quantum of time required each week to guarantee success, the need to be strategic and deliberate, the importance…
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Aug 25, 2022
Starting a new practice group in a BigLaw firm
Jason Symons has always been passionate about growing a business. It’s “in my DNA”, he says. Recently, when the opportunity arose to build a new cyber practice at Mills Oakley, he grabbed it with both hands.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Mills Oakley partner and cyber security practice head Jason Symons to discuss his interest in cyber law, how the launching of his new practice at Mills Oakley came about and why he opted to make the move, what the experience of launching such a new practice has been like, and the balance between proactive and reactive work when building a new group.
Mr Symons also delves into some of the challenges of launching a new practice in a national firm, what he is learning from this period, the trends and opportunities he has taken advantage of amidst such a growth period, what his goals are for the group moving forward, and what he’s learned about himself — both personally and professionally — f…
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Aug 24, 2022
How law fared during COVID-19 compared to other sectors
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Macquarie Business Banking, learn about how law firms across the country were able to adapt to the turbulence of a global pandemic.
Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Macquarie Business Banking’s National Segment Head for Legal, Matthew Bolle, to discuss the findings and key takeaways from the 2022 Business Barometer report, including the impacts of the pandemic upon law firms, the building of profits during that time, the scale to which firms invested in technology, how easy firms made it for clients to do business with them, and the extent to which customer experience was improved.
Bolle also details how well law firms appear to be proactive about managing external events like a pandemic, the top challenges for legal businesses, considerations for workplace wellness, whether specialised boutique firms are diminishing, and ultimately how well placed the legal profession is for the post-pandemic m…
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Aug 23, 2022
Protégé: What life after law looks like
From the age of 12, Megan Patten knew she wanted to become a lawyer. However, less than two years after being admitted, she left legal practice. The realisation that she no longer wanted to be a lawyer, she says, was “like a bus hitting me”. (Content warning: this episode may be distressing for some listeners. Discretion is advised.)
On this episode of the Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Australian Energy Regulator senior analyst Megan Patten about her lifelong desire to become a lawyer, the work she did once admitted, how and why she realised that she no longer wanted to work as a lawyer and the circumstances surrounding that epiphany.
Ms Patten also details prioritising her health and wellbeing during that period of vocational discovery, re-evaluating her sense of self, what she now does for work and why she finds it so rewarding, whether she has regrets about her non-linear professional trajectory, and what other young lawyers can and should take away from…
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Aug 23, 2022
The ‘pervasiveness’ of ESG across legal practice
In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Madison Marcus, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Madison Marcus partner and division leader of sustainability/ESG and banking and finance Eric Boone about the elevation of environmental, social and governance concerns as we move into a post-pandemic market.
Mr Boone details his vocational journey and how he became so personally and professionally invested in ESG work, particularly modern slavery, and his motivation for serving clients across the board in the best and most holistic ways possible.
He also outlines the intersection between ESG and other legal practice areas, the need to “fully leverage” such considerations across practices, the increased prominence of ESG following the age of coronavirus, how Australia’s corporate approaches to ESG compare to global counterparts and whether such organisations are being proactive or reactive about implementing their approaches.
Finally, Mr Boone d…
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Aug 22, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Working with ‘highly innovative and progressive’ industries
Trent Blacket, the co-founder of EMT Partners, helps operate three businesses: a law firm, an advisory firm, and an investment firm. Two and a half years since inception, Mr Blacket remains as excited and engaged as ever and has a clear understanding of how his entrepreneurial thinking can help achieve his personal and professional goals.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with EMT Partners co-founder Trent Blacket about the three arms of his parent business, the concept of lawyers as venture capitalists, why he wanted to establish an operation that is more expansive than the average legal practice, how his experiences working overseas have informed his thinking and direction, and what the journey for EMT has been like so far.
Mr Blacket also reflects on the implications for operating a law firm and also making investments for clients, the value proposition of such an expansive operation, how he manages the grind day to day, why entrepre…
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Aug 19, 2022
Loving your business as a law firm owner
Like personal relationships, being a business owner in law requires commitment, especially in the face of challenges. Finding ways to maintain love for your law firm, as its owner, is paramount to that firm’s success.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Caralee Fontenele, the director of Collective Family Law and director of Scalable Law, to discuss her journey as a business owner (including learning how and when to hand over responsibilities as a practitioner so as to focus on running the business), understanding the needs of one’s business, what it means to have love for one’s legal business and the importance of maintaining that love even when challenges strike.
Ms Fontenele also details the strategies she employs to ensure she keeps up the love even when she’s not feeling it, the need to “spice it up” from time to time, the importance of proactivity in showing love to one’s business, the need to think outside the box, an…
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Aug 17, 2022
LawTech Talks: Technology-driven law firms of the future
Why should law firms invest in technology? How can it shape their future? What difference will technology make to everyday life at the firm? Can efficiency, productivity and successful outcomes be driven by employing the right technology infrastructure? What will the law firm of tomorrow look like?
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, LexisNexis head of core product (Pacific) Lindsay O’Connor talks to LexisNexis managing director (Pacific) Greg Dickason about the disruptive change technology is bringing to the legal world, enabling law firms to become more client-centric.
For more information on LexisNexis solutions, click here.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, emai…
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Aug 16, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Wellness reflections following a landmark High Court case
Despite the hardship she has suffered as a result of vicarious trauma in the workplace, award-winning lawyer Zagi Kozarov is still highly motivated to support the community around her, especially now that a decade-long fight that culminated in a High Court challenge has concluded. (Content warning: this episode may be distressing for some listeners. Discretion is advised.)
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Kozarov Lawyers principal director Zagi Kozarov, who won the Wellness Advocate of the Year category at the 2022 Partner of the Year Awards and whose firm won Wellness Initiative of the Year at the 2022 Australian Law Awards.
Ms Kozarov discusses her firm's growth plans, details the vicarious trauma she suffered in previous employment that led to proceedings over 10 years about duty of care and PTSD in the workplace, the need for employers to better accommodate idiosyncratic circumstances, and why she is keen to remain in criminal law…
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Aug 12, 2022
How climate change may hurt our Constitution
Our constitutional system is not separate from our national ecosystem. In the wake of increased litigation pertaining to climate change, it is incumbent upon legal officers, including judges, to consider how “old laws”, such as the Constitution, can and should address “new problems”, like the impacts of global warming.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by UTS Law teaching academic Dr Costa Avgoustinos to discuss how and why the effects of climate change can and will have consequences for the Australian Constitution and the nexus between the Constitution and our ecosystem.
Dr Avgoustinos also discusses the key pillars of federalism and corruption in adversely affecting our Constitution in the context of climate change, the role of the judiciary in addressing climate-related concerns, the various political positions that lawyers and judges alike will have and take, the limits on governmental power, and why all lawyers should see th…
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Aug 10, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Life as a defence industry lawyer
Becoming a legal counsel in the defence industry was not a pathway that award-winning lawyer Katherine Stapels planned for, but it is a space that she has come to "really love".
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with DroneShield general counsel Katherine Stapels — who won the Defence Lawyer of the Year category at the 2022 Corporate Counsel Awards — about her vocational journey towards working in defence, what listed company DroneShield does and why its work is so important to Australia, and what the law department is responsible for in achieving the company's aims.
Ms Stapels also fleshes out how best to stay in touch with the community of defence lawyers, building relationships across a business, approaching applications with regulatory bodies, navigating the broader regulatory landscape, best practice for defence lawyers amidst all of the environmental challenges, lessons for defence lawyers based on her experiences, and why defence…
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Aug 8, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Taking advantage of ‘unplanned, accidental growth’
When Travis Schultz & Partners was launched, its founder — whose name is on the door — presumed the firm would be kept small, with perhaps just over half a dozen staff. Now pushing 50 professionals, Travis Schultz has learned how to navigate the unanticipated scaling of a legal business and how to ensure it thrives.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Travis Schultz & Partners founder and principal Travis Schultz to discuss his firm’s growth journey from boutique to a bigger player in the Queensland marketplace, its beginnings to where it is now, mistakes that Mr Schultz thinks he has made and what he has learned from them, the various arms to sustainability, and when firm leaders need to think about changes to the firm’s position and strategy.
Mr Schultz also discusses how and when to share responsibilities with others in the business, the personal challenges of leading a rapidly expanding business, adjustments to the post…
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Aug 7, 2022
Protégé: Working overseas as a young lawyer
Max Beavis always wanted to work overseas — with different clients and in different jurisdictions — as part of his growth as a lawyer. Currently working in London, he spoke with Lawyers Weekly whilst back in Sydney about what it’s like to live and work internationally as an up-and-coming lawyer and how and why others should look into it.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Clifford Chance’s newly qualified associate Max Beavis about his longstanding ambition to work overseas as a lawyer, broaching the conversation with one’s employer about the possibility of making such a move, whether there is a particular approach that lawyers should take when having those conversations or a right time to do so, and how those conversations might go as we move out of the age of coronavirus.
Mr Beavis also discusses his experiences of living in London, staying on top of his health and wellbeing while living across the world from his friends and fami…
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Aug 5, 2022
Psychosocial hazards and other workplace health risks
There is often a tendency, among legal employers, to immediately seek solutions to workplace risks to mental health. If this approach is taken with psychosocial hazards, however, “invariably, risks are going to get missed”.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with K&L Gates partner Dominic Fleeton and Proactive Action managing director Emma Parsons about legislative changes pertaining to employer obligations for managing mental health risks in the workplace, including the intent to provide said employers with greater detail about what their obligations entail.
Mr Fleeton and Ms Parsons dive into the myriad issues surrounding psychosocial hazards, whether non-traditional approaches are needed in the post-pandemic world, the role of team leaders moving forward, and what will constitute best practice in the future.
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Aug 3, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ESOPs ‘picking up steam’
Increasingly, employee share/stock ownership plans are being implemented, one GC says. The law department will play a big part in ensuring that such plans are not only fit for purpose but can help drive businesses forward in the post-pandemic market.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Linktree general counsel Rosanna Biggs about what employee share/stock ownership plans (ESOPs) are, why they are so important and becoming more common, what a typical ESOP looks like, the utility of offering such plans and whether more and more lawyers are keen to take them up.
Ms Biggs also discusses the extent to which legal recruiters are seeing them as part of their work, how the law department can help in setting up ESOPs, whether trial and error forms part of such implementation, knowledge-sharing about such plans amongst fellow in-house lawyers, how best the law department can argue for such plans, and what the mainstreaming of ESOPs means for vocat…
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Aug 1, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Tech allows you to practise from the heart
Whilst gleaning professional benefits such as improved business functions and greater capacity to scale are essential takeaways from the utilisation of legal technology, there are other, broader vocational benefits: ensuring that one can practise in ways that make sense to them is, for one entrepreneur, at the core of the future of legal services.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Firmsy founder and chief executive Claudia King about her motivation for transitioning into the legal tech space, what it means to practise law from the heart and how and why legal tech is critical to this concept, and how practitioners of all stripes can benefit from adopting such an approach.
Ms King also explains why it is too important, from a client perspective, for their legal service providers to think about their use of tech in such ways, the hurdles facing lawyers in adopting this approach, how they can once again view their practices as an outlet…
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Jul 29, 2022
How is change being managed in law?
Change is inevitable in the legal profession. Understanding how that change is being managed, and the approaches being adopted to manage such change, is just as, if not more, important as the advent of change itself.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with UNSW senior lecturers Dr Justine Rogers and Dr Felicity Bell (who are the deputy director and research fellow, respectively, for the Law Society of NSW’s Future of Law and Innovation in the Profession (FLIP) research stream) about their recent research, published by Cambridge University Press, into change managers in the law and better understanding the stereotypes we have about those who embrace or are resistant to change.
Dr Rogers and Dr Bell detail the interviews they conducted with change managers across the board in Australia's legal profession, the changes being introduced in legal organisations, what we mean by the term “change managers”, the extent to which personality tra…
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Jul 26, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ‘I can’t believe I get to do this every day’
Megan Comerford has always loved Australian rules football. Now the general manager of legal for the AFL Players Association, she is in a position to wake up, every day, and undertake rewarding legal work.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by AFL Players’ Association general manager of legal Megan Comerford to discuss her career in law to date, the primary focus on collective bargaining for male and female players, being part of a “niche business within a niche industry”, what the daily grind looks like and how such legal work is evolving, with the advent of the AFLW.
Ms Comerford also explains the need to cater to the idiosyncratic needs of both male and female players, in conjunction with their varying personal circumstances, the need to be adaptive and flexible with any external circumstances in the sporting world, the importance of knowledge sharing with legal counsel in other sporting codes, and implementing best governance p…
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Jul 26, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Running an all-female firm in the regions
Since she was a little girl, Sally Callander has wanted to be a lawyer. Armed with education and passion for gender equality and women’s roles in law, she has established her own firm in Mudgee, NSW — a move that has endeared her to locals, thanks to her genuine empathy for their concerns and values, together with her advocacy for women.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Sally Callander Law principal solicitor Sally Callander — who is a finalist for Regional/Suburban Lawyer of the Year at the 2022 Australian Law Awards — about her lifelong ambition to become a lawyer, how and why she and her family moved to regional NSW, her background in sociology and gender studies, and what the early days of legal practice in the regions were like.
Ms Callander also details her philosophy on women in the workplace, why she runs an all-female law firm, how the regions are changing, the critical approaches needed in adapting to regional expe…
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Jul 24, 2022
Protégé: Working one’s way up the ladder
Following her admission last year, Jemma Barnard has recently been promoted to associate at her firm. Here, she reflects on how to get from A to B and lessons learned in assuming greater responsibility and growing as a legal professional.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Travis Schultz & Partners associate Jemma Barnard about her journey from property management to legal studies and then becoming a lawyer, working her way up to associate and what she’s learned in her early days of legal practice.
Ms Barnard also discusses being given responsibility for her own file load and management of a paralegal joining her team, the importance of having a good mentor as part of one’s professional development, and what excites her about continuing her journey as a legal professional.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social…
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Jul 21, 2022
What law can learn from lore
Senator Lidia Thorpe, the first Aboriginal Australian to represent Victoria in the federal Senate, spoke with Lawyers Weekly during the recent Reconciliation Week about what broader Australia can learn from Indigenous legal principles and how existing laws and legislative processes can be alienating for First Nations people.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Senator Thorpe, a DjabWurrung, Gunnai, and Gunditjmara woman representing the Greens in the Federal Parliament, about her personal and political interest in the Indigenous experience in Australia’s legal system, what drives her to advocate for change, and her perception of why there are fewer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lawyers in Australia relative to their numbers across the national population.
Senator Thorpe also details how she feels existing laws and processes can be alienating for First Nations people and what impact this can have, the importance of self-determina…
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Jul 19, 2022
Protégé: Money lessons I wish I’d learned in law school
Better managing one’s money isn’t just good practice for general life, says law-graduate-turned-financial-educator Paridhi Jain. The skills developed from effectively staying on top of financials can also, she says, make you a better legal professional.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Paridhi Jain, who is the founder of financial education business SkilledSmart, about her own experience at law school and why she would have benefited from having greater knowledge about her financials, how and when she realised that educating others about money was her calling (as opposed to legal practice), and why law students and young lawyers do not worry about their money as much as other demographics.
Ms Jain outlines some key lessons that those coming through the ranks in the legal profession must know about managing their money, the attitudes they must be adopting, putting a positive spin on one’s budgeting, overcoming the fear of dealing with…
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Jul 18, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Law grad at 50 to award-nominated firm owner
Adele Anthony has, as she put it, “always wanted to be the bride and not the bridesmaid” when it comes to her career. At 45, she decided to get her law degree, and — now, a few years after graduating — is a finalist for the Sole Practitioner of the Year category at the 2022 Australian Law Awards.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes Your Legacy Lawyer principal Adele Anthony — whose firm is also a finalist in the Regional Firm of the Year category at the upcoming Australian Law Awards — to discuss her career and journey before entering law school in her mid-40s, what drove her (personally and professionally) to be a law firm owner, the need to talk about one’s own experiences with clients, and garnering a more holistic perspective on what her clients are experiencing.
Ms Anthony also delves into working as flexibly as possible, the extent to which one should compartmentalise, her approach to new and emerging technologies and how…
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Jul 14, 2022
Unpacking reforms to cyber and critical infrastructure
Recently, “extensive” reforms have come to pass in tackling the far-reaching cyber security risks facing the nation. These reforms, Melissa Tan, will cut across every industry and businesses of all sizes.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Lander & Rogers partner Melissa Tan about how and why she became involved in cyber security as a legal practice area, why the reforms to the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act were brought in and what positive security obligations now exist, and whether lawyers should be viewing these reforms – including the improved ability for government to provide assistance – as a positive or negative development.
Ms Tan also discusses how these reforms compare to the situation overseas, whether lawyers working in this space have any reasonable precedents to follow in adhering to new rules, what will constitute best practice for lawyers advising their clients moving forward, how best to be pro…
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Jul 12, 2022
Crypto: The good, the bad and the ugly
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Madison Marcus Law Firm, host Jerome Doraisamy converses with Madison Marcus’ financial services direct lead and partner Perry Hume regarding recent learnings through current developments in the crypto space, why crypto isn’t going anywhere, and how legal practitioners can respond moving forward.
Mr Hume delves into the day-to-day of a lawyer practising in the crypto space, the state of affairs in the broader market, whether our definition of cryptocurrency is evolving, his reflections on recent volatility and the consequences of recent fluctuations, and the how and why the crypto world is currently the “Wild West”.
He also discusses where Australia is at, where it is heading in terms of regulation, and why practitioners must wrap their heads around the idea that crypto is not going anywhere and that it will permeate across many practice areas.
Mr Hume responds to questions about the extent t…
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Jul 12, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Focus on justice, not jealousy or politics
For award-winning principal Keith Redenbach, making decisions based on what’s right and just is far more important than being “shackled by political decision making”. Doing the right thing – based on integrity, honesty and transparency – is a much better path towards vocational satisfaction than being bogged down by negative influences, he says.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Redenbach Legal principal Keith Redenbach – who is a finalist in three categories at the upcoming Partner of the Year Awards – to discuss his experiences working in BigLaw firms (here and abroad), the good and bad lessons he took away from that time in his professional life, how those lessons are applicable to now running his own SME firm, as well as the skills that have served him well as a firm leader.
Mr Redenbach also dives into the need to make one’s own luck and how to ensure such success, prioritising health and happiness above all else, na…
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Jul 8, 2022
Navigating the weight of responsibility as a prosecutor
Prosecutorial work involves not only the responsibility a practitioner has to clients, but sometimes also the expectations of the community. Aaron Guilfoyle - who led the successful prosecution of Ardent Leisure following the Dreamworld tragedy - understands the need to balance all responsibilities.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by MacDonnells Law special counsel Aaron Guilfoyle (who spent nearly two decades at the Commonwealth DPP, including as an assistant director and principal federal prosecutor) about how and why he got into prosecutorial work, the importance of keeping one's emotions in check with overwhelming subject matter, and reflects on his experiences in the Dreamworld proceedings.
Mr Guilfoyle also discusses how to wade through the expectations of clients, victims and community members in order to achieve successful outcomes, creating blueprints for success, looming challenges for prosecutorial employers and how best these…
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Jul 5, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Compliance 101 in the modern marketplace
After stints as a lawyer in the UK and Germany before moving to Australia, Alison Clegg found a home in the oil and gas sector and then in ethics and compliance. Here, she details the foremost considerations for good compliance officers in the new normal.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Shell ethics and compliance manager Alison Clegg to discuss what drew her to the oil and gas sector, why ethics and compliance is such a critical cog in the machine of global companies like Shell, how and why she moved away from legal practice and finding positivity in her new vocational pathway.
Ms Clegg also delves into what the day to day of a compliance officer looks like, the need to encourage best practice rather than scare colleagues into it, the non-negotiables for someone in her position, the inextricable place of workplace culture in her role and duties, how compliance considerations are trickier in a post-pandemic world given scatte…
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Jul 5, 2022
10 things to know about mediation
Having joined the bar in the late 1970s, Max Kimber SC has garnered extensive experience in mediation and dispute resolution. Here, he details his top tips for those seeking greater proficiency in mediation, especially against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving professional services landscape.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Sydney-based barrister Max Kimber about his career at the bar, why he sees mediation as being such an important avenue for exploration by lawyers engaged in litigation, and how the mediation landscape has evolved in recent decades.
Mr Kimber outlines 10 things that lawyers engaged in such work must know if they are to be proficient in this space moving forward, including, but not limited to, when mediation and ADR processes can and should be used, how to select the right mediator, the need to educate one’s client about the pros and cons of the litigation process and whether counsel should attend mediations.…
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Jul 1, 2022
What federal election legal work looks like
As per her firm’s mantra, Kiera Peacock says that the law “should be used as a force for good”. To this end, she has been heavily involved in legal work for and with candidates in the last two federal elections.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Marque Lawyers partner Kiera Peacock about how and why she got involved in legal work pertaining to our electoral processes, what falls under the broad umbrella of such legal work, what the day to day looked like during the recent federal election and who she was working with.
Ms Peacock also reflects on the intensity of such legal work in the lead-up to an election, what she has learned about herself both personally and professionally from the election cycle, how other lawyers can be involved in elections work in the future, and why such legal work is so important for the effective functioning of our democracy.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a rev…
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Jun 28, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ESG issues that aren’t getting enough airtime
Legal professionals of all stripes are increasingly cognisant of the importance of environmental, social and governance considerations in a successful, modern business. There are a handful of ESG considerations, however, that may be flying under the radar and are in need of greater attention.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Corrs Chambers Westgarth head of responsible business and ESG Phoebe Wynn-Pope to discuss the current, underlying dangers pertaining to ESG and why they are so important to be across, including concerns about lack of integration in businesses, the importance of having a risk-based mindset and how that can and should operate.
Ms Wynn-Pope also delves into the extent to which Australian businesses across the board are taking a sufficiently holistic approach to ESG, the stakeholders that must be engaged, the role of the law department in ensuring businesses are adhering to their responsibilities, marketplace shifts…
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Jun 28, 2022
Navigating the first year of partnership
Law firms across the country are currently promoting lawyers to partner. Here, HFW commodities partner Ranjani Sundar reflects on having made partner just over one year ago, what she’s learned and what others must know about being a new partner.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Ms Sundar about life as a commodities lawyer (particularly during the age of coronavirus), how and when she made partner, what she has experienced in the 12 months since becoming a partner, the need for support when stepping into that role and being able to lean into those support systems.
Ms Sundar also delves into the importance of having mentors whom you can confide in and trust, being proactive about managing yourself and your workload, the challenges of building a new practice, the need to be adaptable and flexible in what that practice looks like, and her advice for those striving for partnership in a post-pandemic market.
If you like this episode, show…
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Jun 26, 2022
Protégé: How to spearhead wellness initiatives at your workplace
Amelia Schubach may be in the early years of her legal career, but that hasn’t stopped her from putting herself forward – and ultimately becoming – the driver for changes to workplace wellness at one of Australia’s biggest law firms.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Amelia Schubach (a finalist in the Wellness Advocate category at the 30 Under 30 Awards 2022) about how she has always been conscious of mental health issues, how she – as a junior lawyer – became the person leading wellness initiatives and activities at BigLaw firm Hamilton Locke, the right ways to go about having those conversations with one’s superiors, and the impacts that her work has had at that firm.
Ms Schubach also reflects on what she has learned about herself, both personally and professionally, from being a driver of such change, how those coming through the ranks can look to influence their workplaces at a time in which workforces are more scattered p…
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Jun 24, 2022
Medical negligence law: ‘fascinating, intellectually stimulating and challenging’
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Blumers director Noor Blumer (Director | Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Business, Government & Law | University of Canberra) about life in medical negligence law and why it is such an important practice area.
Noor details her experiences in “med neg”, including how she entered this practice area, what it involves, its critical importance to broader society, the capacity for vicarious trauma in such work, the need for transparency with lawyers entering this practice area, and how the age of coronavirus has impacted upon the work of lawyers in this space.
She also delves into the lessons she has learned, as an expert in this field (both personally and professionally), the extent to which class actions are a feature of med neg law, what constitutes best practice for lawyers in this space, why there is no…
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Jun 22, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: From insolvency litigator to award-winning FMCG counsel
In her acceptance speech upon winning the FMCG Lawyer of the Year category at the 2022 Corporate Counsel Awards, Danielle Keyes reflected that there is so much work that goes into rolling a burrito. Here, the GC for Guzman y Gomez unpacks what it takes to succeed as an FMCG in-house lawyer.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Guzman y Gomez general counsel Danielle Keyes to discuss her journey from insolvency litigation in BigLaw firms to working for a major food chain, how she went about adapting to her new and different vocational pathway, and how the age of coronavirus amplified the headline issues and challenges for FMCG business and their law departments.
Ms Keyes also reflects on striking the right balance in an often-manic working day, the lessons she has learned about what constitutes success for FMCG legal counsel (and counsel across the board as well), what she has learned about herself as a professional that she may not have…
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Jun 21, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Defence industry considerations for the legal profession
Following a career in the Australian Navy and then leading the Australian and Canadian arms of a global aerospace and defence conglomerate, Ron Fisher is now serving as principal adviser on defence industry matters for an award-winning NewLaw firm. Here, he discusses why such advisory work is so important for firms and law departments moving forward.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Proximity principal adviser Ron Fisher – who was formerly the president and chief executive of Raytheon Canada and managing director of Raytheon Australia – to discuss his naval career and experience in a major defence technology company, the projects he has worked on in the defence sector and what he learned from those projects, and where defence industry projects may be headed under a new federal government.
Mr Fisher also outlines his perception of how legal work in the defence industry space will evolve in the near future, the headline issues and…
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Jun 17, 2022
LawTech Talks: Reducing risk and enabling efficiency with legal docs
In this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with LexisNexis Legal & Professional, Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy joins a webinar hosted by the global tech provider to reflect on the future of legal drafting.
LexisNexis Legal & Professional head of core product (Pacific) Lindsay O’Connor leads a discussion with Mr Doraisamy about how the use of certain tools can help practitioners transform their practices by instantly accessing vast amounts of information online and bolstering their ability to turn said access into actionable insights. Tools like Lexis Create, for example, help practitioners enable context switching, risk mitigation, team collaboration, and much more.
The pair also reflect on live polling results coming in from audience participants pertaining to their experiences with legal technological platforms and processes, the broader environmental and professional factors influencing perceptions of legal tech, and what practitioners most need…
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Jun 15, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: What makes an award-winning government team?
Charles Cho – the general counsel at NSW Treasury – joins the show to discuss his department’s winning of the Government Team of the Year category at the 2022 Corporate Counsel Awards and why government work is so stimulating.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, Mr Cho speaks with host Jerome Doraisamy about the various projects that his law department has worked on in the past 12 months leading to their eventual award win (including and especially the NSW government’s stimulus package during the peak of COVID-19).
Mr Cho reflects on the duties of in-house teams in government departments and having a heightened sense of social responsibility, how government work may evolve for in-house lawyers in the near future, his analogy for the difference between in-house and private practice legal work in navigating client relationships, and makes his pitch to other lawyers to consider working in-house in government, in light of the purposeful and consequential work that ca…
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Jun 13, 2022
Cyber security: A legal requirement?
In this special episode, produced by Lawyers Weekly’s sister brand, Cyber Security Connect, hosts Phillip Tarrant and Major General (retired) Marcus Thompson speak with Clyde & Co partners Reece Corbett-Wilkins and Avryl Lattin about how cyber has evolved into a legal obligation for businesses and firms.
The episode begins with an analysis of the proceedings of the Federal Court against RI Advice, in which ASIC argued that cyber security controls within businesses were fundamental to minimise the threat of data misuse. The guests continue with an analysis of the requirements of financial services reporting in the event of cyber security breaches. Finally, the podcast wraps up with an examination of how businesses can ensure that they are meeting their obligations for data protection.
To learn more about Cyber Security Connect, click here.
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Jun 9, 2022
The human right to water
Water is foundational to life on this planet, and increasingly, we cannot take it for granted. Ensuring access to clean, safe water has been recognised internationally as a basic human right, and here in Australia, we need to start thinking of it as such in how our communities and marketplace move forward.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by University of Canberra Law School senior lecturer Dr Cristy Clark to discuss what is meant by the idea of water being a basic human right, how and when it was recognised as such by the United Nations, when the human right to air may be acknowledged, and the legal implications of recognising water as a human right, particularly against the backdrop of climate concerns.
Dr Clark also outlines the state of affairs in Australia in recognising water as a human right, the level of consciousness that Australians have about some of the dire consequences of lack of access to water across the country, what can b…
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Jun 9, 2022
LawTech Talks: What’s coming next in conveyancing?
The movement away from paper, and acceleration in uptake of technological platforms, is perhaps no more stark than in the conveyancing space. And, there is much more change and excitement still to come.
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with Sympli, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Sympli chief executive Philip Joyce about the state of affairs in the conveyancing landscape in Australia and the acceleration of recent trends, the flow-on benefits from increased marketplace competition, the advent of interoperability and why it is so important, and looming issues and challenges following the passage of recent legislative changes in this space.
Mr Joyce also outlines the journey of Sympli as a provider, the need to meaningfully communicate value propositions for practitioners experiencing a high volume of change in their daily practice methodologies, overcoming the potential for “change fatigue”, and what practitioners must be looking out for in the…
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Jun 7, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Doing more with less, without sacrificing team wellness
The notion of “doing more with less” is a foremost consideration for in-house legal teams. For team leaders, ensuring that the health and wellbeing of the department doesn’t fall by the wayside in the process has to be inextricable from such a notion.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by NSW Department of Planning and Environment deputy general counsel of property and commercial Somerset Hoy to discuss the need to be seen as an enabler rather than a roadblock and how this may free up more budget for the legal team, prioritising the health and wellbeing of individual team members when trying to do more with less and whether this is oxymoronic.
Ms Hoy also delves into how to ensure that doing more with less whilst catering to wellness is a compatible approach, the need for creative and out-of-the-box thinking, and a reframing of the conversation with other departments in the business, so that the legal team can thrive in the right wa…
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Jun 6, 2022
Lawyers don’t need sight to have vision
Despite being born with total blindness, Amanda Heal has always been determined to make a difference. Here, the lawyer-turned-author and keynote speaker reflects on her journey in law, the challenges faced in practice and why all can be overcome if one has an underlying mission in their life.
Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Ms Heal about her early life and living with a disability, the struggles she faced in finding work in law, her 17-year stint as a government lawyer, whether those years were formative in helping her find her vocational purpose, and ultimately realising that, deep down, she had always wanted to help and inspire people.
Ms Heal discusses the vocational epiphany she had and the steps she took to realise her dreams, the central message she imparts and advocates for, how lawyers can determine if they are living out their true purpose and whether it has to be vocationally driven, what lawyers can take away from her experiences, and if lawyers can and should be striv…
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Jun 5, 2022
Protégé: Emerging lawyers must be APAC-literate
Anjali Nadaradjane has always been interested in international relations – a passion which she has immersed herself in whilst furthering her legal development. It’s an area and skillset, that will be fundamental for the next generation of lawyers, she believes.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by MinterEllison lawyer Anjali Nadaradjane to discuss her long-term interest in international relations and international law, the bounty of projects she has involved herself in (from the US Consulate Sydney Youth Advisory Counsel to New Colombo Plan National Summit), and what she has learned – both about herself and the world around us – from such engagement.
Ms Nadaradjane also argues for emerging legal professionals to better educate themselves about the Asia-Pacific region, noting that literacy about our region is essential – not only as the geopolitical and sociocultural landscape evolves, but also so that lawyers can adopt a broade…
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Jun 2, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Why are junior lawyers so unhappy?
Legal employers have made great strides in recent years to better accommodate and cater to the myriad wellness needs of professionals. However, there are longstanding structural issues that impact the wellbeing of those coming through the ranks, which are incredibly difficult to overcome.
On this episode of Legal Lightbulbs, produced by Lawyers Weekly and Bowd, hosts Jerome Doraisamy and Fionn Bowd discuss the circumstances that give rise to elevated levels of unhappiness as well as psychological distress, anxiety and depression among new practitioners. They talk about reactive versus proactive approaches, inherited structural problems, and whether junior lawyers prefer WFH arrangements as a way of counteracting some of the worst aspects of the workplace.
Jerome and Fionn also reflect on whether WFH arrangements will improve happiness levels over time or whether they will give rise to new problems. They ask whether employers have a duty to meaningfully and honestly communicate with…
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Jun 1, 2022
30 Under 30 Awards Finalist Showcase 2022 | Financial services
In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with 30 Under 30 principal partner Taylor Root, Lawyers Weekly speaks with two of the finalists for the financial services category about the challenges of the past year and how they have navigated those.
Hosts Jerome Doraisamy and Taylor Root head of Australia Hayden Gordine speak with The Fold Legal senior associate Glenjon Aligiannis and Herbert Smith Freehills solicitor Sarah Webster about how and why they got into financial services, the headline issues and challenges that they have had to grapple with in the past 12 months, how the advent of WFH arrangements has changed the nature of financial services work and the opportunities for young lawyers to establish themselves in this practice area.
The quartet also discuss cyber security challenges for AFSLs moving forward following a recent Federal Court case and how those proceedings reinforced what constitutes best practice for lawyers, the ever-present…
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May 31, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Being the first GC in a business
Twice in his expansive career, award-nominated lawyer Michael Guilday has served as the inaugural general counsel for a business he has worked for. Establishing the law department – as well as its processes and position within the business – whilst ensuring optimal service, brings with it myriad challenges but also opportunities.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Sydney Fish Market general counsel Michael Guilday to discuss how he came to be the inaugural in-house lawyer for two different businesses, the process through which a business will look to engage its first-ever corporate counsel and the reasons for doing so, the need to help reduce costs and address other headline issues that led to the hiring of a lawyer.
Mr Guilday also reflects on how overwhelming it can sometimes be to manage such a workload as the only lawyer but also the opportunities that come from such circumstances, the need to be “comfortable being uncomforta…
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May 30, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Mental health considerations in criminal law
By its very nature, criminal law sees a greater prevalence of mental health issues than most other practice areas, requiring many lawyers in this space to be “quasi mental health practitioners” as well as legal service providers. Managing this, on top of vicarious trauma, can be trying.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Dowson Turco Lawyers partner Nicholas Stewart to reflect on the myriad mental health concerns that affect criminal law clients and vulnerable communities in Australia, how such health issues have been exacerbated during the age of coronavirus and how these issues have changed the nature of legal service delivery in this time, and the extent to which criminal lawyers are required to go above and beyond in their care for the wellbeing of clients.
Mr Stewart also discusses the scourge of vicarious trauma, the difficulty criminal lawyers may have in working remotely from clients, how change can be effected in being able…
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May 29, 2022
Protégé: Finding a ‘law-adjacent’ career path
There has, arguably, never been a better time to not practise as a lawyer. This is because, Sam Burrett says, there are myriad opportunities for the next generation of law grads to find roles in the legal profession that can be more stimulating and exciting than anything we’ve seen before.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Clayton Utz client relationship manager Sam Burrett to talk about his personal journey of coming to terms with not being a practising lawyer (something he’d envisioned for himself) and what this said about him and his career, the social influences around what being a lawyer is, what it means to be in a law-adjacent role, and what such roles could look like in the future.
Mr Burrett also dives into why such law-adjacent roles are shaping up to be so important in a post-pandemic world, what they entail day to day, the trajectory of such roles, how to learn more about them, why turning away from more traditional voca…
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May 27, 2022
How quadriplegia provided lawyer-turned-doctor Dinesh Palipana the chance to leave the world a better place
In 2010, Dr Dinesh Palipana was involved in a car accident that left him with quadriplegia. Now working as an ER doctor, he has a greater appreciation for the inextricable importance of the law in supporting vulnerable persons in society, as well as his role in advocating for meaningful change.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Dr Dinesh Palipana, the 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year, to discuss his experiences in law school and subsequent mental health issues, his appreciation for the rule of law and its capacity to help fight for people, the car accident that left him wheelchair-bound and the physical and psychological aftermath of that accident, and how it has provided him with the opportunity to hopefully leave the world a better place.
Dr Palipana also outlines the crux of his advocacy and what he is hoping to achieve – not just for persons living with disability, but more broadly – and how the rule of law can assist,…
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May 25, 2022
LawTech Talks: Are you running your firm, or is your firm running you?
On this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with LexisNexis Pacific, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LexisNexis legal software solutions sales manager David Atherton-Cooper about the inextricable need for practitioners and business owners to ensure they are striking a balance that not only makes sense to them but also ensures that they are in control of the firms they operate.
The pair reflect on the state of affairs for legal business owners in the wake of the age of coronavirus, where the industry is at with regards to increased commercial activity, demand for private client services, scattered workforces and workplace challenges, as well as additional hurdles including reduced reliance on paper and keeping track of caseloads.
Mr Atherton-Cooper then discusses the symptoms that might indicate whether a business owner has crossed the threshold of a firm running that practitioner versus being the one running a firm, the questions that such practitioners must…
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May 24, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Bringing a ‘true understanding of an asset’s life cycle’
As a property lawyer, what gets Lisa Briese out of bed in the morning is seeing buildings get built. Having spent over 16 years in-house, she now works as an external provider with a team that moved from the in-house realm into an incorporated legal practice – a move which, she says, offers substantial perspective on how lawyers can serve clients and what those clients need from their lawyers.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Arena Law executive counsel Lisa Briese to discuss how and why her team moved from in-house to the external realm – something she says she is seeing “more and more” from in-house lawyers, and the vocational and administrative reasons for corporate counsel to reconfigure the day-to-day makeup of their practices, as well as the lessons for providers and clients in doing so.
Ms Briese also reflects on her passion for property law, the joy of being able to tangibly appreciate the work she does while walking…
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May 23, 2022
Qld A-G Fentiman on the rise of scams
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman joins The Lawyers Weekly Show to discuss the increasing prevalence of scams and other cyber issues, particularly in the wake of natural disasters. Dealing with such issues, she says, must be “right at the top of the list” for lawyers.
A-G Fentiman – speaking to host Jerome Doraisamy during Queensland’s 2022 Law Week – detailed why a spotlight on the rise of scams is so important, the extent to which Queenslanders have experienced scams in recent times and why, and the stigma and shame that comes from suffering a scam or cyber attack (whether one is an individual or part of a business).
She also reflects on the scams that have been undertaken on the back of multiple natural disasters in the state, delves into the current levels of community and professional awareness of such issues, the proactive steps that private practice and in-house lawyers can and should be taking to prevent scams and attacks, how lawyers can meaningfully a…
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May 19, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Cutting costs and creating more value
On this special episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, produced in partnership with Maurice Blackburn, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with the firm’s chief executive, Jacob Varghese, about how law departments can proactively and reactively minimise the costs involved with litigation and ensure greater value for their businesses.
Mr Varghese – who spoke at the recent Corporate Counsel Summit to in-house lawyers about the state of affairs with litigation costs – dives into the current litigation climate and the inherent costs, whether the age of coronavirus has exacerbated certain trends, the longstanding incentives in place to retain the status quo when it comes to the cost of legal services and how law departments can and should be responding.
He also explains the need for in-house teams to “be as creative as possible” in getting lower prices, the danger of “leaving value on the table”, how corporate counsel are performing when it comes to better appreciating the need f…
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May 18, 2022
Trend towards non-traditional business models a ‘wonderful thing’
While some businesses may use the NewLaw tag as a “marketing ploy”, there has never been more choice – both for lawyers and buyers of legal services – and, as such, the value of NewLaw methodologies is being reinforced as we head towards a post-pandemic market.
, market
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Law Squared founder and director Demetrio Zema to reflect on how well NewLaw firms were prepared for and performed during the age of coronavirus (relative to more traditional practices), how certain methodologies were validated during the last two years, and how the term NewLaw may have evolved during this time.
Mr Zema also responds to the idea that “NewLaw is no longer new”, offers his thoughts on large law firms having NewLaw divisions, criticises those who use the tag for marketing purposes without making meaningful change, ensuring his own firm maintains its competitive edge by staying true to its pillars, why client…
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May 16, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Lawyers must be ‘digitally literate’
Given how much the marketplace is shifting, professionals and business owners have a duty, Natasha Blycha argues, to bolster their understanding and appreciation of the myriad developments in the digital space. It is not enough to simply use tech platforms, she says – lawyers need to pay attention to the subtleties and broader questions arising from such evolution.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Stirling & Rose founder and managing director Natasha Blycha to discuss what encompasses digital law, her interest in digital law (both personally and professionally), and the legal duties one must assume in better understanding the intricacies of digital law.
Ms Blycha also outlines her newly established firm’s practice methodologies, the challenges inherent with staying on top of the fast pace of change in the tech and digital landscapes, accepting equity as payment in exchange for fees for start-ups that may not have the requisite cash…
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May 12, 2022
Emerging from lockdown
Like many sectors, the legal profession had to adapt to meet the demands of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Now is a good time to ask: what positive changes should be kept in the long term, and what problems might need to be solved due to new ways of working?
Guest host for The Lawyers Weekly Show, Shandel McAuliffe, asked Michael Byrnes (partner at Swaab) and Carly Stebbing (founder and principal at Resolution123) their thoughts on the future of the profession, the challenges and ideas for overcoming them.
The discussion included how to ensure junior solicitors can learn from senior practitioners when working from home. Mr Byrnes also raised that the experience of working from home sometimes varied widely between juniors in more cramped home-working conditions and seniors with the privilege of a comfortable home office. Resolution123, as Ms Stebbing described it, is an “online virtual firm”. From this standpoint, Ms Stebbing shared tips for the profession on how her firm has made remo…
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May 11, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: An increasing focus on vocational purpose
According to general-counsel-turned-careers-coach Claire Bibby, in-house lawyers are increasingly concerned with being able to live out their values and have a meaningful career – something that is hugely important in the current climate.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Coaching Advocates co-founder and former GC Claire Bibby to reflect on the extent to which discussions of vocational pathways occurred in-house, why things are shifting, the questions being asked and why, and the difference between superficial and substantive discussion points.
Ms Bibby also discusses the reasons for the environmental shift towards more comprehensive conversations about vocational purpose, finding new and better ways to lead one’s team, the place of both emotional intelligence and positive intelligence in successful leadership, why professionals are being more proactive rather than reactive about finding their way, and why individuals will be be…
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May 9, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: What I’ve learned from 5 years of running an online community for lawyers
Five years ago, Clarissa Rayward started an online community for like-minded legal professionals, which has become so much more than just a knowledge-sharing discussion board, she says – “connection” is what makes such a venture so personally and professionally rewarding.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Brisbane Family Law Centre director Clarissa Rayward to discuss what inspired her to set up The Club (her online community for lawyers), the time and effort that oversight of such a community requires, how it forms part of her broader business plans, and how and why the community she has brought together has been so meaningful and purposeful for her.
Ms Rayward also delves into the importance of connection to your colleagues, the ever-increasing need to be nimble and agile in interpreting legal practice methodology, how individual lawyers glean different benefits from being part of such online communities, how such communities f…
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May 8, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Is cyber security a major election issue?
This episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, brought to you by Lawyers Weekly’s sister brand, Cyber Security Connect, unpacks the latest in cyber security policy and how cyber is shaping up to become an election issue.
Host Phillip Tarrant speaks with Major General (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson about the impact of the recent Solomon Islands-China agreement on Australia’s security. The pair also provide an assessment of the Morrison government’s actions and discuss the opposition’s policies around cyber security, including Project REDSPICE.
This episode also sees an analysis into whether such cyber policies are achievable in their stated timeframe, casting doubt on whether there is a sufficient flow of cyber security graduates to fill a largescale expansion in the cyber security industry. Elsewhere, the pair chat about the latest cyber security news, including recent data showing a fourfold increase in phishing attacks and how his team seeks to continuously improve their cyber se…
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May 6, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: How can firms keep new lawyers?
The question of how to attract and retain graduate lawyers is “one of the most vexing issues” facing law firms. Why is it so difficult to hold on to the next generation of leaders in law?
Welcome to another episode of Legal Lightbulbs: the show that sees hosts Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd discuss and debate the questions to which lawyers have always wanted answers (but have perhaps not felt comfortable asking).
In this episode, Jerome asks Fionn about the issues that give rise to new and young legal professionals wanting to move on from the firms with whom they began their careers, why it is so important for firms to figure out better retention strategies, the war stories that can and do emerge from those coming through the ranks, whether greater transparency about the realities of life in big law firms could be the difference-maker and how such honesty harks back to the need for market differentiation.
Jerome and Fionn also reflect on whether firms sh…
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May 3, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: No corporate integrity without courage
We are fast approaching the period in which fraud that took place during the global pandemic, across the corporate landscape, will become apparent. For this reason, and more, bolstering levels of corporate integrity is as important as ever.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back KPMG partner and head of anti-bribery and corruption Dean Mitchell to discuss what we mean by the term corporate integrity, why it is of such personal and professional interest to him, how working in rural East African villages informed his perspective and what lessons he learned from that period of his life, and how the principles of corporate integrity have been reinforced by the age of COVID-19.
Mr Mitchell also reflects on recent conversations he’s had with senior professionals across the corporate landscape pertaining to corporate integrity and its state of affairs, why the “washout” of fraud and corruption is coming in the next six months, the practica…
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May 2, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: ‘You have to be so passionate’ to run a business
Both Annabel and Hugh Griffin grew up in families that ran businesses. Now a married couple, and each bringing their own experiences to the table, the pair understand better than most what it will take to achieve their ultimate goal: to become the “most highly regarded and best boutique law firm in Australia”.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Hazelbrook Legal chief executive Annabel Griffin and managing partner Hugh Griffin to talk about how they met, the different vocational backgrounds they bring to the firm they run together, how and why they decided to run a business together while also being married, and their ultimate plans for their award-winning legal practice.
The pair also discuss the opportunities abound in the Canberra market and how this region might grow in years to come, challenges that they’re foreseeing, their approach to recruitment and growing their team, the need for discipline as business owners, as well as r…
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Apr 28, 2022
Understanding the issues with hybrid working
Since the advent of work-from-home arrangements, much has been made of the danger of losing the “water cooler conversation” for the sake of professional development. According to one employment and industrial relations partner, however, there are issues across the board that employers and employees alike must promptly grapple with.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Piper Alderman partner Joe Murphy to discuss the myriad and ongoing changes to the nature of work in workplace and employment issues, what we mean by hybrid working arrangements, and the various issues and challenges that he sees arising from the mainstreaming of such arrangements in a post-pandemic market, for the purposes of different lawyer demographics.
Mr Murphy also outlines the potential solutions and strategies to the hurdles that he is foreseeing, whether leaders have to redefine what professional development is for those coming through the ranks, the need to bala…
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Apr 27, 2022
Protégé: Challenging preconceptions and assumptions about yourself
Two-time Golden Gavel winner Olivia Irvine has come to learn, over time, certain things about herself: she is funnier, braver and not as adverse to being uncomfortable as she’d imagined. Such lessons are critical, she says, in living out the career one wants to and becoming the individual one is supposed to be.
On this episode of The Protege Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Hazelbrook Legal lawyer Olivia Irvine, who has twice won the NSW-based Golden Gavel competition (an annual comedic public speaking event), about her interest in law from an early age, how and why she got into public speaking, her experience with Golden Gavel and the importance of finding comfort in discomfort while speaking on stage.
Ms Irvine also delves into the need for up-and-coming lawyers to challenge whatever preconceptions and assumptions they may have about themselves, navigating hardship if and when it arises, riding the wave of an evolving sense of self, how she has benefited from challen…
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Apr 26, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: 6 steps to a successful remote workforce
Increasingly, SME firm owners will have to grapple with how best to manage the idiosyncratic needs of a scattered workforce. Implementing the right steps, Joanne Alilovic says, is essential.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by 3D HR Legal director Jo Alilovic to discuss her new book (Homeforce: Building a Connected, Engaged Home-Based Team), why managing the juggle is such a passion area of hers, how and why she has moved away from non-traditional modes of working and how it changes the nature of her life as a lawyer.
Ms Alilovic also talks about the need to remember a firm’s vision, establishing roles, managing details, reorganising one’s team, the need for effective training and support, and the importance of evaluation, how taking such steps has worked for her firm, and other advice she has for boutique professionals.
If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The L…
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Apr 21, 2022
A Ukrainian firm managing partner on life right now
In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Myroslav Khmarskyi – managing partner of Ukrainian law firm Avitar – about what is happening on the ground and how his law firm is responding.
Mr Khmarskyi joins the show to discuss the work that his law firm does in Kyiv, what it was like in the first days of the invasion of Ukraine and how he felt, what the key realisations have been for Ukrainian people in the past month, the importance of community and the nonsensical nature of materialism.
He also delves into how he and his partner are keeping their business running, how they are managing the health and wellbeing needs of their staff in such extraordinary times, the lessons lawyers around the world can take – from a wellness perspective – from the current experience of Ukrainians, what more he thinks lawyers and legal associations can be doing in this time, and his message to lawyers around the world for news consumption during the on…
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Apr 19, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Creating a career and lifestyle that works for you
Having spent years in senior in-house roles, Sarah Galbally and Shannon Landers are at a point where they want to utilise their expertise to service clients in ways that make personal and vocational sense to them.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes Neon Legal directors Sarah Galbally and Shannon Landers to discuss what it means to be a freelance general counsel, why such a pathway was appealing to them respectively, the kind of work that their boutique firm handles and why, running an outsourced in-house model and creating a hybrid between private practice and in-house styles.
Ms Galbally and Ms Landers also discuss how to look after one’s self while marketing services in the ways they want to, what they’ve learned about themselves as legal practitioners that they wouldn’t have known had they not chosen their new vocational pathway, why they think other in-house lawyers can and should consider freelancing as a GC as a viable career,…
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Apr 18, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Should you fire your accountant?
SME firm owners who hold their accountants to a higher standard are much better placed to be confident in themselves and how they run their businesses. Accountants who do not help firm owners feel such confidence should be let go.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes TLTurner Group owner and managing partner Terrell Turner – who joins the show from North Carolina – to discuss his accounting firm’s work in advising SME law firms, the issues he sees daily with his clients, how finances are a common problem for law firm business owners, and the most frequent challenges that such firm owners will experience with their accountants.
Mr Turner also delves into the questions that firm owners must be asking of their accountants across the calendar year (not just at tax time), the importance of regular, meaningful communication, the red flags and trigger points that firm owners must be aware of in dealing with their accountants (and other external…
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Apr 13, 2022
LawTech Talks: Reflecting on the waves of change
On this episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with LodgeX, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LodgeX founder and chief executive Kathy Constan about the impact of legal innovation over the years – how far we’ve come, the current state of affairs and what legal service providers have to look forward to in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Ms Constan outlines a brief history of the first and second waves of legal technology, argues why the third wave isn’t something to be feared, what excites her about ongoing and future developments in tech, why she has such a strong academic interest in such evolutions and what excites her about the future, especially having run a boutique practice for nearly three decades.
She also fleshes out the state of affairs in e-conveyancing, the looming issues and challenges for providers in this space, the corresponding trends and opportunities amidst the aforementioned third wave of legal tech, and why all legal professionals should look f…
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Apr 12, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Risk, reform and financial services
When it comes to the sheer scale and pace of change in the development of risk, how we understand it and how to respond to it, in-house legal teams are finding that “the law isn’t being a helping hand”. This needs to change.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes Australian Law Reform Commission senior legal officer Nicholas Simoes da Silva to discuss the commission’s new background paper, Risk and Reform in Australian Financial Services Law, and the evolution in thinking about risk as a drive in financial services law reform.
Mr Simoes da Silva spoke about the need for increased flexibility and reduced complexity, the extent to which corporate counsel are subject to legislative changes, the state of affairs for risk and how it has entered mainstream language, how the law isn’t always helpful in assisting in-house teams mitigate risk, and how legislative frameworks need to be able to handle changing approaches to risk and how obligat…
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Apr 11, 2022
Meet the surrogacy lawyer standing for the Greens in Wills
Sarah Jefford is “sick of the mediocrity” in federal politics. This, coupled with her strong sense of social justice and keen awareness of inequity across Australia, is driving her to serve her community as a member of parliament
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by award-nominated family and surrogacy lawyer Sarah Jefford – who is standing for the Australian Greens in the Victorian electorate of Wills – to discuss her 2018 experience as a surrogate for two fathers and how that experience informs her work as a family and surrogacy lawyer.
Ms Jefford also outlines her motivations in running for Parliament, why Indigenous issues are so close to her heart, why she thinks lawyers are uniquely concerned with integrity in politics and environmental concerns relative to other professional services strands, how she can serve the community around her and what she’s learned along the campaign trail to date.
If you like this episode, sho…
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Apr 10, 2022
Protégé: Assuming a firm leadership role at 23
Less than a year after he was admitted, award-nominated lawyer Jonathon Naef was presented with an opportunity to help create a new kind of family law practice. He grabbed that opportunity with both hands and is helping bring a new way of working to the fore, thereby changing perceptions of the utility of practising in traditional modes.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Balance Family Law co-founder Jonathon Naef to discuss how he met his mentor and director of Balance Family Law Perpetua Kish, the circumstances that led to the launch of the award-winning practice, the much-needed perspective that new practitioners can and do bring to the table, and why stepping up to help build a law firm was such a good challenge for him.
Mr Naef also reflects on the various issues and challenges he has faced and how he has overcome these, how to leverage one’s position as an emerging leader in law, the inextricable nexus between success and kindness…
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Apr 7, 2022
Meet the barrister standing for the Liberals in Menzies
Keith Wolahan – a solicitor-turned-barrister who has served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan – believes strongly in serving the community around him. The lessons he has learned in his varied and impressive career will serve him well if elected as an MP.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Melbourne-based barrister Keith Wolahan, who is the Liberal Party’s candidate in the Victorian electorate of Menzies, to discuss his career in private practice and at the bar, what more than two decades of service in the Australian Army have taught him, and why the idea of helping people in stressful times has always appealed to him.
Mr Wolahan also explains his reasons for running for a seat in the House of Representatives, his vision for Australia and how that vision will serve him well if elected, why the national interest should always trump self-interest, why economic concerns are so important to lawyers, his thoughts on the recent fe…
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Apr 6, 2022
Why government work is so meaningful
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Holding Redlich, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with partners Libby Carroll and Christine Lithgow about all things government legal work.
The trio delve into the reasons why government work – at a federal, state and local level – is so rewarding, the importance of being able to deliver for the community, how government work has been impacted during the age of coronavirus and the issues and challenges this presented for lawyers in this space, and how the importance of such legal work was reinforced during the global pandemic.
Libby and Christine also explain the extent to which government lawyers have to pre-empt what is happening in society and politics, how such proactivity forms part of best practice, what constitutes an effective and meaningful collaboration between external providers and in-house teams, and why government work is shaping up to be so exciting for lawyers in the new normal – as w…
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Apr 5, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Helping run the FIFA Women’s World Cup
As the head of legal for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup (being held in Australia and New Zealand), Emily Jackson is operating in a “very truncated time frame” to help ensure the event is a success. However, she says, such vocational experiences provide a lawyer with myriad lessons, which are “unparalleled” for growth and development.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by FIFA Women’s World Cup head of legal Emily Jackson to discuss how preparations are going for the 2023 event in Australia and New Zealand, how she has ended up in contract positions in-house, the vocational appeal of such contracts, the jurisdictional concerns to grapple with in organising an international sporting event, especially against the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic.
Ms Jackson also discusses the importance of preparedness, particularly given the finite time frames of her current role, triaging dozens of urgent priorities, maintaining o…
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Apr 4, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: How should small firms interpret the 2022 budget?
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced numerous measures in last week’s federal budget that will impact upon small businesses such as boutique law firms. Here, we unpack some of those measures and how firms can respond.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Lawyers with Solutions principal Pallavi Sinha about the recent federal budget, delivered on the eve of the 2022 election. Ms Sinha delves into the tax deductions for small businesses, what these mean for firms’ investments in technology and training, and what these measures say about the digital revolution.
Ms Sinha also discusses the scrapping of company search fees, mental health support for small-business owners, increased funding for business support hotlines, the need for further assistance in cash flow for boutique law firm owners, how best those owners can support themselves in the near future, and the steps to implement to ensure a successful practice against the backdrop of thi…
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Apr 3, 2022
Meet the law professor standing for Labor in North Sydney
Citizens have a responsibility, human rights law Professor Catherine Renshaw believes, to be politically aware and engaged, and when we contribute actively to our communities, Australia is better off for it. In the face of myriad sociopolitical concerns, she says, now is her time to stand up.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Western Sydney University human rights law Professor Catherine Renshaw – who is standing in the seat of North Sydney, for the Australian Labor Party, at the upcoming federal election – to talk about her varied career in law (from commercial practice to journalism to academia), her lifelong interest in human rights and what all of those personal and vocational experiences have taught her and how those experiences will serve her well in Parliament, if elected.
Professor Renshaw outlines the issues that have led her to step into the political ring – including climate inaction, the #MeToo movement and aged care fa…
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Apr 1, 2022
What makes a good dealmaker?
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Madison Marcus, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Madison Marcus managing director Ramy Qutami to unpack the art of negotiation and what constitutes best practice in the modern marketplace.
Mr Qutami reflects on why he is personally and professionally invested in litigation as a practice area, his view of law as a profession that serves the community around it, the issues and challenges that litigators have to grapple with on a day-to-day basis, and the principles that must be employed in navigating those hurdles.
He also delves into the strengths and weaknesses of particular approaches to litigation and dealmaking, the need for adaptability and agility, why adversarial and combative approaches are less conducive to best practice nowadays, the need for proactive strategies as well as the reactive ones, the lessons Mr Qutami has learned from a career as a dealmaker, what he’s most excited about for…
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Mar 31, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Is law firm market differentiation a unicorn?
Welcome to another episode of Legal Lightbulbs: the show that sees hosts Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd discuss and debate the questions to which lawyers have always wanted answers (but have perhaps not felt comfortable asking).
In this episode, Jerome asks Fionn about the concept of market differentiation and whether – in a modern legal marketplace – differentiation even exists. The pair talk about the lack of trust that graduates have when it comes to law firm marketing, and they dive into the history of how law firms historically differentiated themselves and what it means to have a “brand”. Fionn and Jerome talk about the importance of truth in marketing, how the fear of imaginary clients get in the way of firm marketing, why law firms are like washing powder, and the need to market what you know to be true about your business.
The pair also reflect on a handful of law firms that are getting their points of difference right, the value of filling a…
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Mar 29, 2022
Why Australia is such a big part of this global firm’s growth strategy
HFW – founded in the 1880s – has presences all over the globe. For myriad reasons, it sees its Australian operations as central to the firm’s long-term expansion and success. Here, its Australian managing partner explains why.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by HFW managing partner in Australia Gavin Vallely to discuss the history of the global firm, why it sees opportunities for growth in the Australian market and how the age of COVID-19 has reinforced such thinking, the sectors that will form part of the firm’s growth via its Australian operations, and how much the firm hopes to grow by in the coming two years.
Mr Vallely also talks about the importance of not growing simply for the sake of growth, making strategic acquisitions, his role as Australian managing partner in overseeing such a strategy, the challenges he sees in successfully achieving the firm’s goals, the opportunities to be grasped in order to ensure such success…
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Mar 28, 2022
‘The powerhouse sector that fuels the Australian economy’
Construction is an integral cog in the machine of Australian society. Even against the backdrop of extraordinary challenges during the age of COVID-19, work as a construction lawyer remains exciting and “intellectually stimulating”, say two BigLaw partners.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Baker McKenzie partners Matt Coleman and Joshua Saunders to discuss the state of affairs in the construction industry and the materials shortages that have been faced in the age of COVID-19, how these and related issues have impacted upon the work of lawyers in this space and how such challenges make for such exciting work.
Mr Coleman and Mr Saunders delve into why work as a construction lawyer is so “intellectually stimulating”, whether ongoing geopolitical concerns will exacerbate challenges faced here in Australia, trends and opportunities on the horizon for lawyers in this space, whether the work of construction lawyers will look different…
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Mar 27, 2022
Protégé: Why practise in migration law?
Given the capacity to work on both commercial and humanitarian matters, migration lawyers can build diversified practices that those in other areas of law may not get exposed to, says one award-winning practitioner.
On this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Crossover Law Group founder and principal solicitor Marial Lewis – who won the migration category at the 30 Under 30 Awards 2021 – about how and why she chose migration law as a pathway, the types of matters that one gets exposed to, and finding the right balance between commercial and humanitarian matters.
Ms Lewis also delves into the challenges that lawyers in this space can and do face and how to overcome these, opportunities on the horizon for those interested in this practice area, why she decided to launch her own firm focused on this space, what excites her about the future (as a young lawyer), and why others should consider this as a vocational pathway.
If you have any questions ab…
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Mar 24, 2022
Meet the senior lawyer running against Craig Kelly
Georgia Steele has over 15 years’ experience as a lawyer, both in BigLaw firms and in-house at a major bank. The skills she picked up along the way (particularly as a litigator) will serve her well, she says, if elected in Hughes in place of incumbent MP Craig Kelly.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with independent for Hughes candidate Georgia Steele – who previously was a senior lawyer and manager for regulatory affairs at ANZ, prior to which she worked at Allens and Freshfields – about her career in law, what she learned in her decade and a half as a litigator, and how she came to be the Independent candidate in the Hughes electorate in Sydney’s southern and south-western suburbs.
Ms Steele also explains the issues that are most important to her as a candidate – namely her “exasperation” with the state of federal political discourse, concern about environmental inaction and the need for a federal ICAC – and reflects on the is…
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Mar 23, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Reflections from the outgoing counsel for Lawyers Weekly
Lawrence Lau started his career as an IT programmer before eventually becoming the corporate counsel for Momentum Media (Lawyers Weekly’s parent company). Here, he muses about his time working in a growing trade media house, why he’s moving to private practice and what he’s learned along the way.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Lawrence Lau (who until recently served as corporate counsel for Momentum Media, working across Lawyers Weekly) to discuss his experiences as counsel in a growing media company, what his day-to-day entailed, how he balanced competing interests and how and why he entered the legal profession as a mature-age student.
Mr Lau also delves into the importance of community for in-house lawyers (particularly those working as one-person teams within a business or organisation), key lessons for ongoing success, the need for sole legal counsel to think outside the box, why he’s moving to a private practice role…
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Mar 21, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: A blueprint for managing big, complex matters
Small law firms can and should look to attract work that may, traditionally, have been the domain of the big end of town. Once a boutique secures said matters, there are certain steps they must take in order to ensure success.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back award-nominated lawyer Trevor Withane – who is the principal of Blackwattle Legal – to discuss why boutique law firms must look to take on big, complex matters that they may perceive to be intended for BigLaw firms, the need to engage contract lawyers and paralegals, other key stakeholder relationships such as barristers and accounting firms, and the importance of being people-focused.
Mr Withane also details his reflections on team culture and how best to manage relationships, logistical and technical considerations, including and especially “the IT stack”, bringing clients along for the ride, how best to set up one’s office, the importance of individual and team welln…
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Mar 17, 2022
How worried should lawyers be about rising interest rates?
For legal professionals considering property purchases in 2022, there are myriad factors to consider, from when the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates to what’s happening in the world around us. In the face of all such factors, proactivity remains a lawyer’s best friend.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Legal Home Loans lending specialists Rachael Massoud and Luke Mansour about the extent to which lawyers should be concerned about interest rates and when they will be raised, the impact of the Omicron wave – if anything – on the property market, declining purchase rates and geographic trends for property purchasing.
Ms Massoud and Mr Mansour also reflect on the continuing trend of purchasing without finance, an increasing number of auctions as opposed to private treaties, whether the recent floods and the onset of war in eastern Europe are affecting, or will affect, prices and/or interest rates, countering any fears of missing…
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Mar 15, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: ‘I feel I can bring value’
Having gleaned extensive experience as a legal counsel in the aviation and tech sectors, Andrew Truswell decided the time was right for him to move into private practice so that he might be able to “do more good” as the professional being instructed, as opposed to instructing.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Biztech Lawyers partner Andrew Truswell, a former GC, about his passion for data, tech and aviation and what he sees as being the foremost challenges at present in those sectors, why he wanted to move from the in-house realm to private practice, and the circumstances in which lawyers in firms can achieve more than law department counterparts.
Mr Truswell also details why he feels he might now be better placed to implement data strategies for businesses, how he plans to utilise his expertise for the benefit of businesses, the extent to which law departments are on top of their data obligations, whether the current climate is r…
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Mar 14, 2022
The Boutique Lawyer Show: Exiting abusive relationships
There are many forms of abuse in Australian society that lawyers have to grapple with to support their clients, some of which the law may never catch up with. In a practice area fraught with challenges, lawyers must understand how best to aid not only those clients but also support themselves.
On this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Bartier Perry partners Alicia Toberty and Sharon Levy to discuss how and why their respective legal practices deal with abusive relationships, what constitutes an abusive relationship, the types of abuse that lawyers commonly have to deal with and why, and whether the law has caught up to new forms of abuse, such as “love bombing”.
Ms Levy also discusses the shelter she helps run in western Sydney, and she and Ms Toberty detail the myriad challenges for lawyers working in this space, best practice for those with an interest in such law, the need for proactive self-care to avoid secondary trauma, and their b…
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Mar 13, 2022
Protégé: The path to international law as a new lawyer
With decades of experience behind them, many inspiring and incredible practitioners have made a name for themselves as international lawyers. While the feat may seem quite daunting for aspiring lawyers, our next guest shares why it is entirely possible to get started on this path to international law immediately.
In this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Naomi Neilson is joined by post-graduate law student Sadaf Azimi – who has already gained years of experience in the international law space – to chat about why it is possible for all new lawyers.
The episode is full of tips on where aspiring international lawyers can get started, what skills they should be looking into and how to craft the perfect application. From her own experience, Sadaf talks about why language was a key component of her own submissions and the Australia-based organisations that could lend a hand.
For listeners concerned about how they could fit into this space, Sadaf said it is important to “rise to…
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Mar 10, 2022
Legal Lightbulbs: Why can’t partners say no to clients?
Welcome to the newest show from the Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network: Legal Lightbulbs. This show sees host Jerome Doraisamy and Bowd chief executive Fionn Bowd discuss and debate the questions that lawyers have always wanted the answers to but have perhaps not felt comfortable asking out loud.
In this inaugural episode, Jerome asks Fionn why partners in law firms are seemingly unable to refuse work from clients when presented with it, even if the taking on of said work adds to already-onerous workloads for the lawyers in their teams.
Fionn responds with a discussion of the mindset that partners have when it comes to the onboarding and retention of clients, how and why client expectations and demands have evolved over time, the extent to which discounting one’s legal fees reinforces the need to take on any and all clients, the potential consequences for taking on such work, how partners can better communicate the mindset around clientele (particularly in the post-pandemic environ…
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Mar 9, 2022
LawTech Talks: Resolving complaints in sports
Sports disputes are incredibly topical right now, including complaints about bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct and systemic inequality and injustice. Not only this, but sports disputes are unique – thereby requiring innovative, adaptable solutions.
On this episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with Immediation, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with former New Zealand solicitor-general Michael Heron QC, Immediation head of legal innovation Kelly Hughes and Immediation manager of legal innovation in New Zealand and sports law expert Henry Moore about what sports disputes are, how they differ from other types of legal disputes, and how such disputes have evolved in the age of coronavirus as well as the responses to them.
The trio flesh out lessons that can be taken from their experience of impartial and independent complaints resolution mechanisms, why technology is so imperative in resolving sports disputes, how Immediation communicates the importance of tech in this…
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Mar 9, 2022
Why lawyers need to heed PM’s warning regarding Russian cyber-attack reprisals
In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, CyberSecurity Connect director Phil Tarrant and MAJGEN (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson, former head of the Department of Defence’s Information Warfare Division, discuss Russia’s history of cyber war and how this vector will continue to shape peace and conflict in the future.
The pair begin by discussing MAJGEN (Ret’d) Thompson’s recent opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, which dives into Russia’s history of cyber and information warfare.
In his piece, he argues that Australia must better prepare itself for cyber attacks, which will be weaponised in reprisal against Australia for supporting Ukraine during the recent conflict.
Both hosts continue by discussing the impact of cyber warfare on Australian businesses and how many malicious actors work in concert with state-sponsored groups to exploit the cyber domain.
The pair wraps up the podcast by analysing how cyber remains an integral part of both hybrid and grey zone…
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Mar 8, 2022
Hybrid work and the future of CPD
On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with LawCPD, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LawCPD director and co-founder Sarah Mateljan about the lessons learned from the transition to hybrid work and what professional development might look like for lawyers in a post-pandemic world.
Ms Mateljan reflects on the advent of online learning for lawyers in recent years, what the mainstreaming of remote and flexible working means for the undertaking of annual CPD requirements for lawyers, the lessons that legal workplaces have learned about effectively communicating with and growing their teams, the inextricable need for optimal wellness and the lessons learned about cyber risks.
She also delves into how frequently the nature of legal education can and does shift, how and why lawyers should see legal education as something to look forward to rather than a box to be ticked, the role of providers like LawCPD in reshaping the educational landscape for lawy…
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Mar 7, 2022
What makes a successful special counsel?
Special counsel play a critical role within law firms of all stripes. Here, two award-winning practitioners detail how to succeed in this position, particularly against the backdrop of an ever-changing marketplace.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Caroll & O’Dea Lawyers special counsel Hayley Aldrich and Harmers Workplace Lawyers executive counsel and team leader Amy Zhang – both of whom have won multiple categories at Lawyers Weekly award programs – to discuss their respective journeys to the position of special counsel and what this professional does on a daily basis.
The two award-winning lawyers also explain how the role of special counsel has evolved in the age of coronavirus, if at all, lessons learned for such practitioners in the last two years, why this particular vocational pathway is attractive separate from the partnership, what challenges are emerging for special counsel, and how best emerging leaders in law can attai…
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Mar 3, 2022
Where we’re at with whistleblowing
Australia was “once ahead of the curve” when it came to protecting and empowering whistleblowers. However, as Kieran Pender notes, “we are now seeing them being punished”.
On this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Human Rights Law Centre senior lawyer Kieran Pender to discuss the state of affairs in whistleblowing around Australia, including reflection on where our whistleblowing laws once were compared to where they’re at now, and what both major political parties are saying about this umbrella issue with a federal election around the corner.
Mr Pender also details numerous current high-profile whisteblowing cases that Australian lawyers should be aware of (such as the trials being brought against former ACT attorney-general Bernard Collaery, ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle and former defence lawyer David McBride), the extent to which Australian legal professionals are paying attention to these cases, how some lawyers are advocating…
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Mar 1, 2022
The Corporate Counsel Show: Lessons from your law department colleagues
It is imperative that professionals across law departments better understand and appreciate where their colleagues are coming from so that collaboration and collegiality can be better fostered.
On this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by NOVA Entertainment group general counsel and company secretary Ben Willis and senior legal counsel Samantha Walker to discuss the need for legal counsel of all stripes to acknowledge and respect the needs of their colleagues at different levels within a law department so as to be a trusted adviser not only to one’s business but also for those within one’s immediate team.
Mr Willis and Ms Walker also delve into their personal investments in legal work in the media space, how and why that landscape has shifted in recent times, the importance of being motivated by the work of one’s law department, why different thinking has been required for lawyers in this space and what lawyers in media can look forwar…
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Mar 1, 2022