In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we have the opportunity to hear from Katie Gray. Katie is the founder of Principals of Practice, a professional development and executive coaching service, based in New Zealand. 

While applying for a position within her own firm, Katie engaged a coach. This experience changed her perspective of leadership in the law, so much so that she is now a coach herself. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Katie started her career as a banking and finance lawyer and fell in love with law. 
• During her successful 16 year career with Herbert Smith Freehills, Katie led teams and advised on complex financing transactions, all while working across three different continents. 
• Working long hours in the international finance sector Katie started her family.
• While on maternity leave Katie realised her passion for law and leadership.
• During a training program to make partner, Katie discovered some surprising habits which she was not aware of.
• Her leadership training showed the value of self-evaluation and changing your approach to leadership. 
• While applying for Partner, Katie engaged a Coach and the experience helped so much that she eventually decided to step out on her own and starting a coaching business.
• Katie now coaches’ lawyers in career progression and change in their careers though “Principals of Practice”. 
• Katie sees her role in coaching as the “railing allowing others to walk along their own path”
• In her sessions, Katie encourages lawyers to question some of the beliefs they have held over their careers. 
• Knowing when a coach could push you to the next level in your career.
• Ask yourself ‘What is getting in the way of taking ownership in my career?’ and action these items. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Katie Gray. 

Links:

Connect with Katie Gray

Principals of Practice 

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Sheetal Deo. She wears many hats and I am excited to share with you all that she is doing for the legal community. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Sheetal’s Family history and how she has been influenced by her culture.
• How Sheetal made her way into the law overseas.
• The Bond University Alumni and Sheetal’s experience of attending university.
• Sheetal’s obvious, but un-expected passion for conveyancing, wills and estates.
• Sheetal is the Relationship Manager for QLS where she works with the next generation of lawyers.
• Her work starting Ethnic+, and the goals of this organisation.
• Learning how to be a better ally through Ethnic+. 
• Sheetal has her own low-bono law firm, Shakti Legal Solutions.
• How she manages her time, after starting Ethnic+ and Shakti Legal Solutions, at the beginning of 2020.
• Sheetal has anxiety and sees a psychologist regularly.
• Sheetal has seen how to open conversations bring light to the darkness.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Sheetal Deo. 

Links:

Contact Sheetal Deo on LinkedIn

Shakti Legal Solutions

Coffee Conversations with Sheetal Deo through QLS

Ethnic Plus

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, I discuss the difficult and uncomfortable topic of racism. 

In this episode I talk about:

• I discuss why the topic of racism is uncomfortable, and why we need to be uncomfortable to spark change. 
• I am bi-racial but white passing which has come with its challenges but also privileges. 
• The impact of microaggressions and unintentional racial comments.
• My childhood experience of racism.
• My mother was born in Pakistan and is also Indian.
• My Father is part Irish and we learnt that he has Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage which was hidden in his family’s past.
• My paternal grandmother’s traumatic life being sent away from her family and the impacts: intergenerational trauma.
• My own struggle to become accepted.
• The silence in my own education in regards to the aboriginal massacres which took place in Australia.
• As lawyers, we are part of the system that has perpetuated racism, and have a responsibility to make change.
• We all need to listen and learn about the true history of Australia.
• As lawyers, we are in a position that allows us to be part of the change.

Sit back, listen and learn as I share my own journey of racism, both internalised and from others.

Links:

Lorena Alam, The killing times: the massacres of Aboriginal people Australia must confront,  

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Kate Clark and Tanisha Watt, a mentoring pair from Clark Mediation.

In this episode we talk about:

• Giving back to the legal community by becoming a mentor.
• Kate’s recent webinars on topics such as health and welling, training your brain and leadership.
• Upcoming projects for Kate. Instilling a sense of hope and focusing on goals is Kate’s
• philosophy at Clark Mediation.
• Tanisha shares how she connected with, and chose, Kate Clark.
• Tanisha is completing her PLT with Kate and started right before the pandemic.
• The letter from Tanisha caught the attention of Kate.
• Tanisha’s advice for students looking for a mentor.
• The importance of researching a mentor who shares your values.
• Kate’s advice to students starting out in the law.
• The graduate pressure of the ‘first job’ being the ‘right job’.
• Kate’s dream for the future of the law as a profession.
• The disparity between men and women in law.
• The co-learning benefits that can come from a mentoring relationship.  

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Kate and Tanisha.  

Links:

Clark Mediation

Connect with Kate

Connect with Tanisha

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Janelle Osborne from Insight family law and Mediation. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Janelle’s perspective on the COVID-19 but with a positive spin.
• Janelle explains the grief and shock we may experience due to the pandemic.
• Janelle has started her own firm, Insight Family Law and Mediation, and is enjoying the level of control she now has to help others.
• Janelle’s Nanna lived in the time of war and shares a story about stockings.
• The positives that come out of difficult times.
• Changes Janelle has noticed during this time in the legal profession.
• Improved efficiencies for clients and streamlining the court process.
• Janelle conducts mediations, is a family lawyer, parenting co-ordinator and now mentor.
• The value of mentoring relationships.
• Janelle’s tips for finding a mentor and having the courage to ask them to share with you.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Janelle Osborne

Links:

Insight family law and Mediation Facebook

Contact Janelle on LinkedIn

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Carly Stebbing from Resolution 123. As an employment lawyer, Carly has some great insights on how to turn this time of difficulty into one of opportunity.

In this episode we talk about:

• The positive effects from the difficulties being faced by the world at the moment
• Carly’s insights on the future of law 
• Why changing your behaviour to please others in the law can be dangerous
• Carly’s advice to her younger self
• The importance of curiosity in law and why we should seek answers to our questions
• Carly’s previous mentors and supporters 
• Carly has a great amount of self-confidence and discusses her relationship with doubt
• Her experience of sex discrimination in the workplace
• Carly’s advice for those who are struggling with their careers at the moment 
• The future of law and innovation in the profession 2017 Flip report 
• Carly’s tips for upskilling and learning while unemployed

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Carly Stebbing. 

Links:

Resolution 123

2017 FLIP report

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Alex Hughes from Bombshell Fitness Coaching. Alex is my personal trainer and has some great insights into how we can keep healthy, both mentally and physically, while we are all working from home. 

In this episode we talk about:

• The start of Alex’s career in fitness and health
• Alex gives empowerment, support and strength for the women she trains
• The importance of verbal encouragement for women
• Alex’s time at Walt Disney World in Florida and how this experience shaped her character
• The learnings Alex took from her time at Disney 
• Alex’s journey to running her own business 
• Alex has a degree in psychology and shares how our minds have a huge impact on our bodies
• The ‘Strong Mind Strong Body’ seminars 
• Alex’s tips for managing your mind and body while we work from home 
• The changes that the fitness industry will need to make to keep us healthy
• Alex’s final tips for looking after yourself

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Alex Hughes. 

Links:

Bombshell Fitness Facebook

Find Alex on Instagram

In the last few weeks, many of my colleagues have lost their jobs or have been stood down from their roles. In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast, I share with you my story of unemployment, homelessness and hope.

Three years ago I was married to my husband. We had a child. At the time I was working at a law firm: I was driven, but parenthood, the sometimes unrealistic demands of private practice, and the breakdown of my marriage culminated to cause me to suffer burn out, which ultimately led to depression.  I had great difficulties concentrating and I was effectively terminated from my role.  My son and I became homeless. I wanted to share my story of hopelessness to hope.

In this episode we talk about:

• My encouragement to you
• My experience of working with a psychologist and the importance of new services like Telehealth.
• My journey through unemployment and my feelings during this time
• Figuring out what success really meant to me
• At my worst, I learnt the value of my health
• My four tips for getting through hard times: fitness, psychology, spirituality and inspiration from outside sources
• Input from Dr Dain Heer and Brené Brown
• A final word from me – please reach out of you need to talk

Sit back as I share my personal story with you. 

Links:

New Tele Health Services

Dr Dain Heer

Brené Brown

Contact me

In this episode of The Lawyering Podcast I had the opportunity to hear from Hayley Coles. Hayley is the Co-President at Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union in New Zealand and has wonderful insights into the role of a Union. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Hayley is the Co-President at Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union in New Zealand and she shares how it all started
• The need for a union in this space as the greatest effect were on the junior lawyers
• The reason that a Union was formed rather than a support group
• The legal requirement of starting a Union in New Zealand
• Hayley explains the membership and how they can get involved
• Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union has over 780 members, which has grown to this number in just a year
• Hayley shares some of the positive feedback she has received

Sit back and enjoy this interesting interview with Haley Coles.

Links:

Contact Hayley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-coles-911704a3/

Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union

https://alwu.org.nz/