Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

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, emerging trends from high-profile cases to be across, shifts in the reasoning for bringing defamation proceedings, and best practice 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!

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 processes. To learn more about Blumers Personal Injury Law, 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!

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 essential, and ensuring you are fulfilled as an emerging leader in law. 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!

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 in Australia to do so — and what other law reform he has planned for the Top End, how he engages with other attorneys-general on such issues, the need for more Koori courts, the place of the legal profession in supporting various reforms, the experience of Territorians during the age of coronavirus, and what the legal market in the NT has to look forward to 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!

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-looking skills that will be required, fostering diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces in a post-pandemic environment, and the advice they have for those coming through the ranks in acquiring all the necessary tools to be a successful, modern law firm partner. To learn more about Commonwealth Bank, 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!

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 medicines would be rescheduled (Friday, 3 February) so that they could be used under psychiatric guidance. 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!

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 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!

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 get made, how much personality one can or should show in an application, practical steps to upskill in such writing, and challenges to be overcome. 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!

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 overcoming entrenched biases, the need to be confident in one's self and be true to one's own journey, and the practical steps that those coming through the ranks can take to ensure their personal and vocational goals are not impeded. 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!

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 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!