Australian lawyer Shankari Chandran, who spent 10 years as the head of pro bono and community affairs for a global law firm, recently won the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award. Here, she speaks with Lawyers Weekly about lessons from novel writing, the need for strong communities, and the nexus between community and the rule of law. Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Ms Chandran about her journey in law, how and why pro bono legal work has always been so meaningful to her, and the "inspirational commitment" of Australia's big firms to pro bono and community work. Ms Chandran also details her experiences as a writer, what she has learnt – personally and professionally – from the publishing process, her reflections on the importance of strong, healthy communities and what we can glean from those diverse backgrounds, the nexus between the rule of law and the creation of communities, how lawyers can better immerse themselves, and what excites her about her continued literary and professional trajectory. 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 [email protected] for more insights!