Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

On this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, R U OK? non-executive director Graeme Cowan explains what it means to identify, trust and act on the signs and symptoms of ill-health in the workplace - not just today, but every day.

There are many professional and leadership elements that make up a good general counsel, but none are more important than the ability to foster a positive culture in the workplace, argues an award-winning GC.

In this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment James Hebron - who recently won the General Counsel of the Year Award and Excellence Award at the recent Australian Law Awards - details his journey to becoming a GC, what he learned along the way, and what is needed to ensure personal and professional success as a senior leader in the in-house space.

Recent research conducted by Deloitte on the volume of unpaid work being undertaken by women across the board sheds new light on the issues facing females in Australia's legal profession, barrister Jane Needham argues on this week's episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show.

The results from the 2019 Legal Firm of Choice Survey are in, and Momentum Intelligence head of research Michael Johnson joins host Jerome Doraisamy on this week's episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show to discuss satisfaction levels, or lack thereof.

Michael outlines the attitudes, perceptions and priorities of legal professionals as identified in this year's Survey. Also, in unveiling younger practitioners (i.e. those with 1-3 years of experience) as the least satisfied demographic, he explains the possible contributing factors for such dissatisfaction and suggests proactive measures that firms can and should be taking to help those coming through the ranks to remain satisfied throughout their legal career.

Senior legal counsel-turned-yoga instructor Amity St Clair joins host Jerome Doraisamy on this week's episode of The Corporate Counsel Show to discuss why she has recently taken a break from law to focus on teaching Japanese yoga. She shares how practicing yoga helped her bring more of herself to work, the lessons she was able to apply in her day-to-day life and how yoga helped shape her into a better leader in the work place. In conversation with Jerome, she also discusses the issues and challenges for lawyers in the in-house space, the role of general counsel in fostering a more hospitable workplace environment and the importance of having conversations around any issues that arise in the workplace.

Principal of SBA Legal and treasurer of NSW Council of Civil Liberties Stephen Blanks joins host Jerome Doraisamy on this week's episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show to discuss the role of ethics in law and its relationship to civil liberties. Stephen discusses ethical considerations that legal professionals need to be aware of, the relationship between ethics and civil liberties and why legal professionals need to ensure they aren't just doing what their clients want. He also discusses the current political landscape, the environment around parliament and how lawyers in the workplace should view civil liberties.

Diane Yui – also known by her stage name, Astral Days – reveals why she stepped away from her legal career to start a pole dancing studio on this week's episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, with host Jerome Doraisamy.

Dianne reveals why she left legal practice, the benefits of pole on her wellbeing, why she believes it can make someone a better lawyer and the stigma around pole dancing and some the challenges she has faced.

She also shares why she recommends for those who are "pole curious" to just give it a go and why law firms should be looking at implementing pole as a lunchtime activity for staff.

Laser Clinics Australia general counsel and company secretary Kristy Silbert discuss the issues, challenges and opportunities for legal counsel in the beauty industry on this week's episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, with host Jerome Doraisamy.

The pair discuss what it is like to work as an in-house lawyer in an industry that is always evolving, the importance of general counsel having a seat at the table among senior leadership to ensure legal is prominent, and how she strikes a balance to ensure they are covered where legislation has not yet caught up. Kristy also shares her advice for anyone looking to enter or shift over to the beauty space and the parallels between the industry and the banking royal commission.

Former Lawyers Weekly journalist Grace Ormsby, who has been closely following the Lawyer X Royal Commission, shares her thoughts on the situation and raises the question of whether Victoria Police need more substantive training to better understand the importance of legal professional privilege. Together with Lawyers Weekly editor Emma Ryan, Ms Ormsby discusses the issues raised by the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, whether cultural issues exist within Victorian Police and the grey area surrounding collaboration with legal professionals. She also shares her thoughts on the possible need for another Royal Commission, if the ethical issues uncovered are a wider spread issue throughout the country and how legal professionals need to ensure that justice is being held.

Award-winning barrister Matthew Littlejohn joins host Jerome Doraisamy on this week's episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show to discuss why he chose to go to the bar at such a young age and why he is encouraging others to follow in his footsteps. Matthew shares the issues, challenges and opportunities he has faced in his career as a barrister so far, why it's imperative to identify when you need help, and his advice for graduates coming through the ranks if they are thinking of joining the bar. He also shares why he uses social media to promote his chambers, how he navigates the need for social interaction at work and how barristers need to ensure they are looking after themselves in regards to mental health.