Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

Australia's legal profession has undergone significant change over the years. Appreciating the nature of that change, and taking the right practical steps to navigate one's early years, is fundamental both for purpose and success. In this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell managing partner Danielle Snell (who recently won the Managing Partner of the Year category at the Australian Law Awards) and welcomes paralegal and law student Isabella Best to discuss their reflections on the law school experience, utilising mentors, getting professional development, the mental health scourge and being a businessperson in an evolving professional services landscape. The pair reflect on their respective experiences in law, what has changed and why, what those coming through the ranks need to know about the changing environment and how best to put one's self forward to not only have purpose as a practitioner but also discover success in the process. 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!

In this episode, brought to you via Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, HR Leader, we discuss why flexibility and hybrid work should be a continued focus going forward, despite some forcing employees back to the office full-time.

Host Emma Musgrave is joined by Avanade modern workplace lead Stef Shoffren to reflect on the fact that even though 86 per cent of companies in the post-pandemic era are confident they have found the right balance in terms of people-first work models like hybrid or remote working, 55 per cent have not provided their employees with a genuine choice about when or where they work.

The pair discuss findings around Avanade's "People first. Or people false" research, which reveals a gap in what organisations are promising and what is being delivered to employees, and detail advice for technology-cautious employers and how to better utilise data and experimentation to create an effective working environment for all. 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!

In this episode, brought to you via Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, Cyber Security Connect, we explore the latest cyber security trends facing businesses and detail need-to-know intelligence to keep Australian businesses safe. Host Liam Garman is joined by Rapid7 senior director of threat analytics Christiaan Beek to analyse the most common threat vectors exploited by cyber criminals, including unpatched software and old hardware systems, before discussing how businesses can implement strategies to minimise these threats. The pair then dive into the world of ransomware, examining the operating model of cyber gangs and how the dark web serves as a marketplace for threat actors, and reflect on how businesses can be breached through downstream attacks and insider threats before wrapping up with some practical security guidance for 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 [email protected] for more insights!

In this episode, brought to you via Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, Space Connect, ANU lecturer Dr Cassandra Steer discusses where the ethical and legal boundaries lie as we enter an uncertain decade of military and political conflict.

Dr Steer, who is a mission specialist at ANU and a lecturer specialising in space law, space security, and international law, has over a decade of international experience teaching at universities in Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Here, speaking ahead of her appearance at Space Connect's Australian Space Summit, she discussed the emerging sector of space law and the weaponisation of space. 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!

As this recruiter-turned-award-winning practitioner has learnt, it is fundamentally important to put one's self forward in order to succeed. Effective networking and business development, right from the outset of one's legal career, is necessary in the current climate. In this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Moulis Legal associate Lochlan Worrell about his background in recruitment and what it taught him about the jobs market, the need to build genuine and trusting relationships, navigating the rise of online networking, and practical ways to approach in-person networking.

Mr Worrell also outlines the importance of not selling one's self too much, managing one's time well, what he thinks constitutes good business development for individuals, the questions one should ask one's self to identify their personal brand, first steps to take, overcoming nerves, and lessons he's learnt. 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!

Award-winning partner Aylin Cunsolo considers herself lucky to be working in a space that she is passionate about and that is also a "key challenge of our generation". The energy transition, she says, is set to impact many areas of law and is one that lawyers across the board need to be on top of. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Baker McKenzie partner Aylin Cunsolo, who recently won the Partner of the Year category at the Australian Law Awards, to discuss her journey as an energy and projects lawyer, how and why there's no turning back with the nation's energy transition and where Australia is at on that journey, and what's happening with investment activity at this juncture. Ms Cunsolo also discusses the challenges and trends that partners and teams in this space are grappling with right now, best practice approaches, nurturing the development of the next generation of lawyers in this space, evolving thinking on what makes a good partner, why all lawyers need an understanding of the objectives and drivers of the energy transition, guiding clients rather than forcing decisions, and why such work for partners of all stripes is so exciting.

Melissa Barlas always wanted to be her own boss. Now an award-winning practitioner, she's found the right balance in her firm, having invested in the right processes and people and can relish the experience, both personally and professionally. In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Conveyed director and founder Melissa Barlas, who recently won the Sole Practitioner of the Year category at the Australian Law Awards, about her upbringing and being the first in her family to enter the legal profession, identifying a point of difference and the perspective she's gleaned from that difference. Ms Barlas also reflects on the state of affairs for sole practitioners in the current climate, anticipating the hurdles to be overcome in the near future for such business owners, being a thought leader and wearing the multiple hats of small-firm owners, striking the right balance so that one can still enjoy the journey of running a firm, investing in the right people and processes, and remembering why one decided to go out on their own and ensuring it is a rewarding experience. 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!

In this episode, brought to you via Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, HR Leader, we explore whether it is time to give up on the notion of a traditional nine-to-five. Host Emma Musgrave is joined by Carly Koemptgen to discuss why and how Aussie bosses can take advantage of talent out there that might not necessarily exist in their immediate backyard. Ms Koemptgen, 25, is currently travelling along Australia's east coast, working in an arrangement that suits both her personal and career aspirations. She takes listeners through how her set-up works and why she sees other Gen Zers following suit. She also discusses what employers should be doing to capture young talent, how her generation is reshaping office life and the best ways to stay motivated in a remote working environment. 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!

What the next generation of lawyers is currently learning won't necessarily be what they need to thrive in years to come. As such, new approaches are needed, says an award-winning law student. In this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with a fifth-year law student at the University of Technology, Sydney, Kurt Cheng, about the evolution of legal education and why rethinking academic models for the emerging cohort of legal professionals is so critical in the current climate. Mr Cheng discusses the work he is doing with his university council to revamp educational approaches, the perspective he's gleaned about needed changes, updated learning models, the importance of social impact, the place for artificial intelligence in evolving education standards, striking the right balance in producing law graduates, what career fulfilment looks like to him, and how students can seek opportunities and remain inspired. 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!

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with the Mediator Standards Board, we explore the importance of upskilling in mediation in the current market. Host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by Mediator Standards Board deputy chair Stephen Dickinson and treasurer Linda Kochanski to discuss the role of mediation in an evolving professional services marketplace, the extent to which lawyers are upskilling in mediation, the environmental factors driving legal practitioners towards mediation, and how such training offers a competitive edge. Mr Dickinson and Ms Kochanski also delve into the extent to which accreditation is applicable across the board, how it offers a broader and more holistic approach to daily legal practice and service delivery, the skills and characteristics to be gleaned, arguments for investing in such training, and making time for professional development. To learn more about the Mediator Standards Board, click here.