Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

LawUno, a new platform to connect legal professionals and students, employers, and vendors, is launching this week, in conjunction with Lawyers Weekly's 30 Under 30 Awards. Here, the platform's founder discusses its importance in an ever-shifting professional services marketplace.

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with LawUno, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LawUno founder Jessal (Jesse) Shah about the platform's support for Lawyers Weekly's 30 Under 30 Awards, the issues facing younger practitioners, what LawUno is and why it's being launched, and the importance of network and connection.

Shah also delves into the market challenges that LawUno looks to address, how practitioners and employers alike will benefit from using the platform, the expansion plans for LawUno, crafting one's own journey in law, how the profession has responded to the pending launch already, and his message to all finalists and winners of this year's 30 Under 30 Awards.

To learn more about LawUno, 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, X 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]

The decision by the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran has had significant flow-on consequences – not just geopolitically and economically, but also legally and contractually, for businesses whose cargo sails through the Strait of Hormuz. It is thus incumbent upon shipping lawyers like Alison Cusack to not just support clients through the ongoing conflict but also address misinformation that has run rampant since last weekend. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Cusack & Co founder and principal Alison Cusack to discuss the state of affairs for shipping since the US-Israel-Iran conflict began just under a week ago, the misconceptions floating around, the significance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the ramifications of it shutting down. Cusack also delves into the conversations she's been having with clients to steer them through the conflict, what optimal client service delivery looks like against the backdrop of a potential "forever war", how she's managing herself personally, lessons she's learnt from previous shipping crises and how to apply those lessons now, and the importance of offering the right support in such consequential times.

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, X 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]

After the first year or two of trading, there is much for SME firm owners to reflect on – and not just business wins, losses, and lessons. For James d'Apice, this process has involved everything from staying true to his personal and professional vision, pursuing passion projects, supporting the local community, and planning for expansion.

In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Gravamen founder and principal James d'Apice to discuss his headline takeaways from the first two years of running his own firm, the mistakes he's made and learnt from, what the past two years have taught him about himself as a practitioner and business owner, and why staying true to his vision is so essential.

d'Apice also delves into the apparent death of the long lunch and what that might mean for business owners in law, the importance of pursuing passion projects to reinvigorate one's practice, how he's looking to grow the firm moving forward, and what he's looking 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, X 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]

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Commonwealth Private, we unpack what 2025 taught us about the investment landscape and how legal practitioners can interpret the market this year and into the future.

Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Commonwealth Private and Wealth chief investment officer James Foot about his headline takeaways from the market in 2025, the strength of returns for investors, behaviours and ongoing expectations, and what the next five to 10 years could look like.

Foot also delves into how and why AI adoption has been highest in professional services, whether AI is a threat or opportunity, the future of US exceptionalism, the need for diversification and having a holistic perspective on the market, the role of alternatives in an investor's journey, and what lawyers should know about the year ahead.

To learn more about Commonwealth Private, 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, X 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]

In the past year, multiple appeals pertaining to trademark proceedings made their way to the High Court, speaking to the volume and complexity of developments in this area of law.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Halfords IP partner Aparna Watal to discuss her non-traditional path into practising IP law, why 2025 was such a busy year for trademark lawyers, how and why IP lawyers more broadly are being impersonated for scams, and why the High Court is receptive to hearing IP matters in the current climate.

Watal also delves into the impact of ongoing challenges for IP lawyers like herself, the trends she's keeping a close eye on in 2026 and beyond, how best such lawyers can better serve clients moving forward, and what's exciting about legal work in this space right now.

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, X 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]

Deeann Cropley has always wanted to use her legal skills for "purpose and good". Now running a Geelong-based charity while working as in-house counsel, she's found ways to not only make an impact on the community but also better serve as a corporate lawyer.

In this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Barwon Water legal counsel and Pass the Snacks Geelong founder Deeann Cropley about her journey as a lawyer, wanting to use her legal skills for good, her Geelong-based charity and why she founded it, why its work is so important, its reach and further vision, and how she manages running a charity as a full-time in-house lawyer.

Cropley also discusses why it's so important for corporate counsel to roll up their sleeves and be more involved in the communities around them, her sense of service, what she's learnt about herself as a lawyer and how it's made her more curious, agile, and adaptable, how in-house lawyers can make more impact, making the time rather than finding the time, and what excites her about her ongoing work.

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, X 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]

Having spent years working at the intersection of where the law engages with the community, particularly vulnerable persons, Tania Wolff has seen the system at its best and at points where justice isn't accessible, leading to a loss of confidence in public institutions. Addressing that loss of faith in the system is essential, she says, both for the sake of justice and social cohesion.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Law Council of Australia (LCA) president Tania Wolff about her varied vocational journey as a practitioner and her work for legal member bodies, what motivates her to advocate for the legal profession, her concerns about the erosion of confidence in public institutions and the justice system, and the potential impacts of such a loss of confidence.

Wolff also delves into LCA's priorities for her term as president, what the member body does, managing the health and wellbeing of the profession while pushing for societal change, professional opportunities created by new technologies, and the "extraordinary privilege" of being LCA president.

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, X 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]

Straight out of law school, many young lawyers dream of the prestige and fast pace of BigLaw – but Sally Callander flips the script, revealing how practising in the bush can offer career-defining skills, deeper client connections, and a lifestyle you'll never get in the city.

In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Sally Callander, principal and owner of DLH Solicitors, about her journey from practising in Sydney's legal scene to regional NSW, explores her experience practising law in the bush for the past 14 years, delves into the rewarding lifestyle and full career she has been able to create, and points out the practical skills and expertise she has been able to gain that aren't typically available in city practice.

Callander also highlights the growing trend of young lawyers reckoning the value of spending time practising in regional areas, discusses how such experiences can fast-track professional development, debunks the notion that moving to the bush is career-limiting, and shares practical advice for young lawyers considering this path and want to embrace this opportunity.

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with UniSuper, we explore women lawyers' financial security and the long-lasting impacts of superannuation disparities with male colleagues.

Host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes UniSuper national manager of business development Veronica Barbetta to discuss UniSuper's work and its reach across the legal profession, the need to examine the financial and economic implications of pay gaps for women, how the super pay gap is exacerbated by the persistent lack of women leaders in law, and the factors contributing to financial disparity.

Barbetta also delves into the impact of career breaks on women lawyers' financial security and forward planning, the need for greater attention to the super pay gap, how burnout is a contributing factor to financial disparities, what employers need to be doing, ensuring financial wellbeing is part of the holistic picture, and how UniSuper can assist.

To learn more about UniSuper, 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, X 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]

In an age of sociocultural change, and against the backdrop of employers' positive duties to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct, preparing for workplace claims made against the backdrop of cultural traditions like Valentine's Day may not be so far-fetched.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Swaab partner Michael Byrnes to reflect on a recent blog he posted about the workplace relations issues inherent with Valentine's Day, the potential for workplace claims to arise in the wake of such cultural traditions, and whether employers need clauses in their policy for sexual harassment to account for such calendar dates.

Byrnes also delves into employers' positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, changing social and cultural expectations for workplace behaviour, whether the inclusion of new clauses risks infantilising employees, catering to a multi-generational workforce, and what will constitute best practice for employers, HR professionals, and employment lawyers.

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, X 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]