Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

The recent establishment of the Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union in New Zealand, and its proposed advocacy against minimum wage breaches and workplace sexual harassment and bullying, begs the question: why aren't more Australian lawyers joining legal-specific unions or starting their own such movements? In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Electrical Trades Union of Australia national legal counsel, Alana Heffernan, to discuss the issues in legal practice that may give rise to a need for a lawyer's union, how such advocacy could operate and how to overcome perceived issues with industry-specific unions.

There still remain hurdles to access to safe terminations, especially in rural areas of the country, and - with religious freedoms featuring prominently in the sociopolitical discourse - it must be considered whether new state-based laws emerging in America's Deep South could see light in Australia. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by barrister and chair of the Australian Lawyers Alliance medical law special interest group, Ngaire Watson.

Dr Madeline Hartley's career path towards regulatory and corporate strategy adviser for Water NSW is the result of a lifelong passion for the sector and for educating people at all ends of the spectrum on practicable legal frameworks in the water space. In this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, Dr Hartley joins host Jerome Doraisamy to discuss this journey forged from a childhood in regional NSW, and to recount on her recent excellence award at the 2019 Corporate Counsel Awards. She will discuss the importance of empathy within the corporate counsel sector, the role of corporate counsel in the broader business context, and share her advice for others within the space wishing to integrate themselves as a trusted member of corporate counsel.

Israel Folau's ongoing battle with Rugby Australia, regarding the posting of his religious views on Instagram, gives rise to the question: to what extent can lawyers engage in personal discussions when it comes to politics, religion, or even transparent disclosures about mental health issues? Don't miss Jerome's conversation with returning guest Michael Byrnes about how much a legal employer can regulate the social media activity of an employee, and what we can learn from recent events.

Too often, professional services firms view staff wellbeing as "something extra" rather than a matter that is inextricably linked to the function and success of that firm. In this episode, Jerome and R U OK? non-executive director Graeme Cowan discuss the mistakes that workplaces make when it comes to looking after staff wellbeing, the fiscal cost of not creating collegiate, hospitable environments, and the responsibility of boards to not only avoid health issues but proactively promote optimal wellness.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Viridian Lawyers director Richard Prangell and Kinny Legal director Jessica Kinny. Both Rich and Jess started their careers in the BigLaw environment, but within a few years, had left their respective firms to start their own boutique practices. By the age of 30, both had set up - and continue to run - successful sole practitioner businesses. In conversation with Jerome, Rich and Jess reflect on their vocational journeys, why sole practice was an appealing pathway, and how young lawyers can do the same.

Kate Cliff took an interest in a career in the social justice system after having two family members killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver who was let off on a lenient sentence when she was just 14. She dedicated herself to her law studies, had her future in the sector mapped out, and was then herself hit by a car while crossing the road. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Kate revisits her extensive time recovering from the resulting injuries, and how being told that "the old Kate doesn't exist anymore" and that she would need to give up on her hopes and dreams instead triggered a drive for her to live her best life. Kate discusses the role that meditation played in her recovery, the turning point that made her realise that meditation was instead how she would help others, and why she believes that it is the path to becoming a "multi-dimensional" human.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Colin Biggers Paisley partner, Paul O'Halloran. Jerome and Paul discuss some of the major current issues pertaining to IR law in Australia, how the looming federal election may change the landscape, the influence of IR law on businesses in 2019, and how recent events – such as the Banking Royal Commission can and have impacted upon IR law.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Keypoint Law CEO, Warren Kalinko. Jerome and Warren discuss pathways to success for those traversing a "non-traditional" career in law, new and exciting opportunities in "challenger" firms, and the importance of "rehumanising" the legal profession.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Gilbert + Tobin tax partner, Muhunthan Kanagaratnam. Recorded just over 12 hours after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the Coalition Government's economic blueprint in the House of Representatives, Jerome and Muhunthan unpack the proposals that will impact upon lawyers and the legal profession, particularly tax changes for SME firms, superannuation updates for senior lawyers eyeing off retirement, and the lack of funding for legal assistance services.