Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

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. To learn more about Support for Lawyers, 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!

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 years.  To learn more about nrol, 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!

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 innovation will continue to drive those in this space. 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!

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-appropriate teachings about sexual wellbeing, the broader social implications for improvements in the education system, the role of lawyers in elevating appropriate standards, how best to have “shame-free” conversations, and the broader duties of Australian legal professionals. 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!

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, and embedding transformational mindsets into the teams. We explore the challenges inherent in that process, the essential capabilities needed to deliver great customer outcomes and what the future could look like for innovators in law. To learn more about Commonwealth Bank’s professional services offerings, 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!

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.

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’ll face so as to better develop and thus contribute to a business, how best senior corporate counsel can aid that development, and what junior counsel have to look forward to in 2023.

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 experiences. Help is available via SANDS or Pink Elephants for those seeking support in pregnancy loss and via Mercy Perinatal for those seeking information or to support research into prevention of loss. 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!

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 working remotely and flexibly), why lawyers should be unafraid to learn from such upsetting interactions and how doing so will ultimately help them become better practitioners. To learn more about Madison Marcus, 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!

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 voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au for more insights!