The Learned Colleagues' Club by Edulaw

In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Thompson, founder of Lay Law, to talk about the many legal careers that exist outside of traditional practice.  In this episode we discuss:Richard’s journey from litigation to legal consultingWhat fractional general counsel actually meansThe gaps in traditional legal servicesWhy small businesses need legal support earlier than they thinkThe realities of starting your own legal businessWhy the legal profession is oversaturated in traditional rolesAlternative career paths for lawyers beyond the courtroom Richard shares his journey from litigation into building a legal consulting business that provides fractional general counsel services to startups and small businesses. We discuss why the traditional legal model doesn’t always work for modern businesses, how legal consulting is changing the way legal services are delivered, and what junior lawyers should know about alternative career paths in law.If you’re a law student, candidate attorney, or junior practitioner wondering whether traditional practice is the only option, this episode is for you.Connect with Richard & Lay Law:Website: LaylawDigital Legal Consulting Services Made Simple | Lay LawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lay-lawleagalservices/Instagram: @laylaw.co.za Connect with EdulawInstagram: @edulawsaWebsite: www.edulawsouthafrica.co.za Email: hello@edulawsouthafrica.co.za

Legal practice is pressure heavy by nature but that doesn’t mean burnout and mental overload should be the price of entry. In this episode, Roxanne and Monica sit down with Sonja Cilliers (advocate) and Maryke Swarts (neuro + mindset coach), the duo behind the Performance Mind Resilience Institute (PMRI), to unpack why traditional legal training leaves out the most important tool lawyers have: the brain. The guests break down what goal setting actually needs to look like for lawyers — including why values-based goals stick, why unrealistic goals trigger resistance, and why tiny habits beat big motivational speeches every time. The conversation also explores cognitive overload, why modern legal work is uniquely mentally taxing, and how the profession’s “badge of suffering” culture quietly damages performance, health, and even client outcomes. Key takeaways:Legal work isn’t just stressful — it’s cognitively demanding in a way most people underestimate.Being “busy” isn’t the same as being effective (and overload is not a personal failing).Goals work best when they’re aligned with your values and not external expectations.If your goal feels unrealistic, your brain will resist it (even if you want it).Writing goals down and reviewing them regularly is a non-negotiable for follow-through.Journaling helps reduce mental clutter and supports clarity, focus, and self-awareness.🧠About PMRI (Performance Mind Resilience Institute)The Performance Mind Resilience Institute (PMRI) is co-founded by advocate Sonja Cilliers and neuro + mindset coach Maryke, and focuses specifically on cognitive training for legal professionals. PMRI is not a generic wellness initiative — their work is rooted in neuroscience-based tools designed for the legal brain, helping lawyers manage cognitive overload, improve focus, prevent burnout, and build sustainable performance. Their resources include webinars, articles, and training for individuals, candidate attorneys, and law firms. You can find their recorded goal-setting webinar and other resources on their website: www.pmri.co.za. 🔗 Follow PMRIWebsite: www.pmri.co.zaInstagram: @sa_pmri 🔗 Our LinksInstagram: @edulawsa Newsletter: https://edulaw.kit.com/The Learned Colleagues WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GhONYNBERUt436AUNWB21b

In this episode of The Learned Colleagues Club, Monica and Roxanne tackle one of the most stressful and least explained admin hurdles for candidate attorneys: PVT (Practical Vocational Training) registration.If you’re fresh out of varsity, newly employed, or already drowning in work as a CA, this episode is your calm, practical walkthrough of everything the LPC expects from you — and what can go very wrong if you delay or miss a step.We cover what PVT actually is (and why no one tells you about it at university), who qualifies as a principal, which documents you must submit, and the common mistakes that can cost you extra months of articles.In this episode, we break down:What PVT is and how it differs from “articles”Why PVT registration is often overlooked — and why it mattersWho can legally act as your principal (and why you should double-check)A full checklist of documents required by the LPCCertified copies, originals, and when “wet ink” is non-negotiableCharacter references: who to ask and what the LPC expectsRights of appearance explained (district vs regional courts)The two-month deadline and how missing it can extend your articlesPractical admin tips to protect yourself (copies, scans, cover letters)Submitting in person vs legal couriersReal CA mistakes we wish we’d avoided (so you don’t repeat them)This episode is designed to make the process feel less intimidating, less confusing, and far more manageable — especially if you’re already overwhelmed trying to learn how to be a candidate attorney.Whether you’re about to start PVT, already signed your contract, or helping a junior colleague through the process, this is one episode you’ll want to save and share.📩 Got a costs de bonis propriis story of your own? DM us on Instagram @edulawsa - we promise to share anonymously.🎧 If this helped you, please share it with a colleague or CA who needs it.📸 InstagramFollow us for episode updates, practical tips for candidate attorneys, and behind-the-scenes content.👉 @edulawsa📰 NewsletterGet bite-sized legal insights, career guidance, and episode highlights delivered straight to your inbox.👉 Sign up to our newsletter: https://edulaw.kit.com/

In this episode, Roxanne Shear and Monica De Oliveira pull back the curtain on one of the most stressful (and strangely under-explained) moments in a young lawyer’s life: the admission application.Between side-eyeing the LPC’s admin failures and sharing hard-won war stories from their own journeys, they break down what really goes into getting admitted — from documents and deadlines to police clearances and pecuniary interests. This isn’t a dry checklist episode. It’s a practical, honest conversation about how the system actually works, why it often doesn’t, and how you can protect yourself while navigating it. Whether you’re six months into articles or six weeks from issuing your application, this episode gives you the clarity (and courage) you need to get through admission with your sanity intact.Key TakeawaysStart early or suffer later. Admission applications should be drafted months before your articles end, not days.Admin wins cases. Missing documents, wrong dates, and sloppy annexures are what cause LPC queries and court delays.You don’t have to do this alone. Using an attorney of record or getting help with drafting is smart, not weak.The LPC system is messy, plan for it. Expect queries, vague instructions, and last-minute stress unless you prepare properly.Police clearance certificates are required. Yes, really.Integrity is non-negotiable. Courts will forgive mistakes, they won’t forgive dishonesty.Admission is overwhelming and that’s normal. But with the right support, it doesn’t have to break you.

In this episode of the Learned Colleagues Club podcast, Roxanne Shear and Mónica De Oliveira pull back the curtain on life after law school — the good, the messy, and the “why did nobody warn us about this?” moments.They get real about the post-LLB job hunt, the pressure to “make it,” the hunt for decent mentorship (spoiler: it’s harder than it should be), and how to build a legal career that doesn’t drain your soul by 30. The conversation also dives into unconventional career paths for law grads who are quietly wondering if traditional practice is really the dream.Equal parts practical, comforting, and refreshingly honest, this episode is your reminder that you’re not behind, broken, or failing. You’re just early in the journey.Key Takeaways (a.k.a. Things We All Needed Someone to Say Earlier):The post-LLB job market is… brutal. You’re not imagining it.Mentorship isn’t a luxury — it’s a career lifeline.You can be sucessful and still choose a non-traditional path (shock, horror).A fulfilling career doesn’t come from titles alone, it comes from fit, values, and sanity.Yes, the profession is saturated. No, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed.Managing money expectations early can save you future heartbreak.Networking and personal branding aren’t cringe — they’re necessary to stand out.Burnout is not a badge of honour. Mental health is part of professional success.The reality of practice is very different from varsity, and that’s okay.The lawyers who thrive are the ones who never stop learning (or adapting).KeywordsLLB, law graduates, legal careers, mentorship, job hunting, alternative law careers, young lawyers, legal profession, career survival guide

Summary:If you have ever wondered how evictions work in practice, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Learned Colleagues' Club podcast, Advocate Joshua Barlow joins hosts Roxanne Shear and Monica de Oliveira to discuss the intricacies of residential evictions. They explore the legal framework, including the PIE Act, and share practical insights on managing the eviction process, client expectations, and the human side of eviction law.Takeaways:Understand the PIE Act's role in evictions.Evictions require careful legal procedures.Client management is crucial in eviction cases.Evictions can be emotionally challenging.Legal frameworks protect both landlords and tenants.Preparation is key for successful evictions.Evictions involve multiple legal steps.Communication with clients is essential.Legal professionals must navigate complex emotions.Evictions highlight the balance of rights.Keywords:residential evictions, PIE Act, eviction process, legal framework, client management

Keywordslitigation, action proceedings, application proceedings, legal drafting, disputes of fact, timeframes, legal documents, attorney practice, court procedures, legal advice, South African Law, South AfricaSummaryThis conversation delves into the critical distinctions between action and application proceedings in litigation, exploring the implications of each choice for attorneys. The discussion covers the procedural differences, timeframes, types of applications, and the importance of understanding disputes of fact versus law. Additionally, the speakers emphasise the significance of proper legal drafting and the common pitfalls that can arise, providing insights and anecdotes from their experiences in practice.TakeawaysAttorneys face a dilemma in choosing between action and application proceedings.Application proceedings are generally quicker and cheaper than action proceedings.Trials can be lengthy and expensive, often leading to client dissatisfaction.Understanding the timeframes for different court procedures is crucial.There are various types of applications, including ex parte and interlocutory applications.Disputes of fact must be handled through action proceedings, not applications.The structure of legal documents varies significantly between affidavits and particulars of claim.Common drafting mistakes can lead to serious financial consequences for clients.Legal practitioners should be meticulous with party citations to avoid dismissals.Taking leave as an attorney can feel uncomfortable, but it's essential for well-being.

🎙️ First court appearance? Deep breaths. You’ve got this.In this episode of The Learned Colleagues Club, your hosts Roxanne and Mónica spill the (legal) tea on their very first days in court - the wins, the whoopsies, and the lessons they wish someone had told them before stepping into the courtroom.👩‍⚖️ From courtroom etiquette 101 to the rookie mistakes that scream “newbie,” we cover it all, obviously with a healthy dose of humour (because sometimes you have to laugh so you don’t cry).Here’s what’s on the roll:The rookie slip-ups we’ve seen (and made!) so you don’t have to.Costs de bonis propriis moments that deserve their own comedy special (foam sandals, anyone?).Candidate attorney survival tips — because rights of appearance and respect for the court go hand-in-hand.Case law confidence and why preparation is your new best friend.Costs de bonis propriis moments that deserve their own comedy special (foam sandals, anyone?).Whether you’re a law student, candidate attorney, or just here for the courtroom drama, this episode will have you nodding, laughing, and walking into court like you mean business.🎧 Hit play, learn from our mistakes, and maybe avoid a costs de bonis propriis order on your first day.If you have any stories that you think deserve a costs de bonis propriis order and mention on our costs de bonis propriis roast corner, send us a DM on instagram @edulawsa. Otherwise, hit subscribe and follow us on:📲 Instagram: @edulawsa📱WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FtIb0FclxufGqeUiQVV2LK🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edulawsouthafrica/📩 Newsletter: https://edulaw.kit.com/

In this kickoff episode, our hosts, Roxanne and Mónica get real about the messy, unpredictable world of being a legal professional in South Africa. From missing court files to disappearing toilet seats (yes, really), they share the hard truths, practical tips, and survival hacks they wish someone had told them before starting their legal careers.What you’ll learn:Why recording your principal’s instructions is a game-changer;The importance of polite courtroom manners (especially with security!);The myth of standardised court procedures;Stationery hoarding: not optional;Safety tips for court visits;Setting boundaries + prioritising your sanity;Why legal WhatsApp groups are your secret weapon.Our tools and resources:Join the EduLaw WhatsApp community for more support and resources.Follow us on instagramFollow @theroaminglawyer on instagramSign up to our newsletter#LegalInsights #AttorneyLife #SouthAfricaLaw