Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

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 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!

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 increased need for individual responsibility in the new normal, and also flesh out some advice for lawyers across the board who may be suffering from psychological distress. Help is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. Each law society and bar association also has further contacts available on their respective websites. 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 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.

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 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 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 tech as law firm owners in the new normal, lessons learned for emerging leaders in law, and what excites them about their use of legal tech (such as mattero's) in the future. To learn more about mattero, click here.

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. 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 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 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 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 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!

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 firms such as theirs. 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!

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 strategies and approaches, understanding the little things in the course of mediation, lessons she has learned, and what mediators have to look forward to in the 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 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!