Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

Here, the reigning Litigation Partner of the Year reflects on what makes her a successful litigator, including staying true to herself, appreciating what makes her tick, and placing importance on emotional intelligence. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Bowes Legal managing partner Jane Bowes to discuss her firm's recent expansion from northern Queensland into Brisbane and potential further expansion plans, how it felt to win the litigation category at the 2025 Partner of the Year Awards, how the win validated the approach she has taken in her career, and having the courage to stay true to one's convictions. Bowes also delves into how feeling underestimated has fuelled her growth and success as a litigator, why being underestimated is the "biggest fire" in her belly, EQ versus IQ, better managing one's burnout, what has helped her succeed, and her advice for other litigators out there. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

For award-winning lawyer Keith Redenbach, voluminous market change may bring challenges for practitioners, but – for those who bear in mind their ethical obligations and their professional duties – there is also a bounty of opportunity. In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Redenbach Legal principal Keith Redenbach to discuss the volume of change being witnessed across the profession and how this compares to other times of change in the last three decades, why some lawyers are "vexed", ethical and practical dilemmas, and how and why certain staples of the past have gone by the wayside. Redenbach also reflects on how he is pivoting and adapting in a time of change, how he sees his role evolving, having a constant sense of service, what constitutes best practice in the current climate, and going deeper with one's use of AI. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with Legora, we unpack how day-to-day practice is being reshaped and what it means for the role of legal professionals in the age of AI. Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Legora legal engineer Murray Edstein about his vocational journey in practice and now in tech, what a legal engineer does day-to-day, how and why the legal profession is in the midst of a substantial period of transformation, differing level of proficiency with AI across the market, and the consciousness or otherwise of macro and micro shifts in one's practice. Edstein also delves into the need for lawyers to challenge themselves with the required mindset and operational shifts, how to go about this practically, the fundamental changes he expects to see in lawyers' roles in the coming years, what the lawyer of the future may look like, and how Legora can assist lawyers along the journey. To learn more about Legora, click here.

There is, one BigLaw partner says, a "huge amount of opportunity" looking ahead for practitioners in the insurance space, from finding solutions to the risk of natural disasters to the management of cyber threats. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Clayton Utz partner Sophy Woodward about why insurance law is so engaging at this point in time, the "soft market" currently being experienced and the opportunities that climate presents for better terms for clients, what's surprised her about the insurance space this past year, and how client expectations have been set higher in 2025. Woodward also discusses how insurance lawyers have to collaborate across practice areas more than ever before, managing team dynamics and wellness at a time of voluminous work and change, the need for creativity in contractual clauses, the ripple effects coming from current developments in the cyber space and natural disaster space, the myriad opportunities on the horizon, and why emerging practitioners should consider insurance law as a vocational pathway. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

While some students may overlook law societies during their university journey, one Monash University student highlights how involvement builds key professional and personal skills, giving participants a head start in their careers. In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Thomas Pereira, a law and commerce student at Monash University and serves as careers director for his university's Law Student Society, about his passion for encouraging law students to get involved in their law societies, the professional skills that can be gained through such participation, and how these experiences help students build meaningful relationships and foster a sense of community. Pereira also highlights how developing these skills provides law students with valuable real-world experience that makes them more attractive to firms and recruiters, outlines practical steps for students who want to get involved in their university law society, and shares strategies for balancing all aspects of student life – including university workload, part-time work, and personal commitments – so that students can find the time to actively participate in their law society.

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Distinctive Finance, we break down the key market shifts shaping property decisions as we head towards the end of 2025 and what it all means for legal professionals preparing to buy. Host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Distinctive Finance founders and directors Christian Goodall and Mitchell Lobb to discuss what the Reserve Bank's recent inaction signals for buyers, how the expanded First Home Guarantee is opening new opportunities, why banks are forecasting potential rate changes in the year ahead, and whether fixed rate options may play a bigger role moving forward. Goodall and Lobb also explore how legal professionals can position themselves for success, from making the most of the First Home Guarantee and navigating increased market competition, to getting tax documents in order, reviewing lending options, and preparing strategically before the holiday season. They share practical steps to get purchase-ready and insights into what the new year may bring. To learn more about Distinctive Finance, 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

Sam Burrett and Chelsea Gordon recently travelled to the UK to learn more about international approaches to AI governance and business strategies of global law firm counterparts. Their observations and lessons learnt offer guidance for practitioners and firms alike Down Under. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with MinterEllison AI Advisory consulting lead Sam Burrett and legal lead Chelsea Gordon about the work they each do in the BigLaw firm's AI operations, their recent travels to the University of Oxford to learn more about how law firms internationally are approaching governance and strategy considerations, and how well Australian firms are performing relative to global counterparts. Burrett and Gordon also delve into what Australian firms need to be doing more of, what is being done well, the lessons firms Down Under can learn from those overseas, what best practice objectives must be moving forward, practical steps that should be taken, mindset shifts required, and guidance to take into the new year. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

While Philip Colman has seen enormous professional change in more than four decades as a legal practitioner, there are certain values and traits that have consistently guided him over the years. For example, he tries to answer every email he receives on the day of receipt – even if just to acknowledge it – to showcase care and respect for clients. In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with MST special counsel and former principal Philip Colman about his legal career to date, the values he was taught early on that have served him over the course of his career, some of the most surprising professional shifts he's witnessed, what optimal client service delivery means to him, and his reflections on his time as a leader. Colman also delves into the challenges of business management, whether what constitutes a good law firm leader has changed over time, his guidance to aspiring leaders, how AI will impact the ways that people practice, whether client interactions need to be adapted, how the experience of the emerging generation differs from his own experiences, and his sense of service as a practitioner. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with legalsuper, host Lauren Croft speaks with legalsuper strategic partnership lead Jessica Empson about why taking control of your superannuation early is one of the smartest financial moves a lawyer can make. From understanding how small fees can erode long-term savings to choosing investment strategies that align with your career stage, superannuation plays a crucial role in a lawyer's financial wellbeing. In this episode, Empson unpacks the importance of transparency, sustainable long-term growth, and insurance coverage through super, exploring why legal professionals can benefit from joining a fund tailored to their industry. She also shares practical advice for managing super with confidence and emphasises why lawyers at every stage of their career should take charge of their financial future and make informed decisions that support lasting security and growth. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

Here, the new managing partner of national law firm Colin Biggers & Paisley reflects on his journey as a practitioner, optimal client service delivery, why the firm is in a "great place" in the market, and what lawyers of the future need to look like. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Colin Biggers & Paisley's managing partner, Dr Andrew Murray, about his unintended entry into and journey in law, the driving force for him as a practitioner, the presence of impostor syndrome, his leadership approach, and how one learns to become a managing partner of a national firm. Murray also delves into the firm's position in the market, his vision for it moving forward, why the firm will continue investing in particular practice areas, balancing growth with maintaining the right culture, headwinds on the horizon, managing a multi-generational workforce, why diversity is so essential, lessons from 2025 and predictions for the year ahead, and what it means to be a great lawyer. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In a profession where burnout and mental health struggles have become all too routine, Tammi McDermott warns that mental health literacy isn't just essential for the next generation of legal leaders – it demands action and support from the entire profession to spark the urgent, transformative change law desperately needs In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Tammi McDermott, the founder of Lawnch and a board member of the mental health charity LIVIN, about the alarming rate of mental health challenges among lawyers, explains why this issue drives her passion for making mental health literacy a core skill for lawyers, calls out the profession's tendency to sideline mental health, and unpacks how genuine change can only happen when firms start prioritising their people over clients and billable hours. McDermott also reflects on how little progress has been made in the way mental health is addressed in law since she first entered the profession, praises the younger generation of lawyers for reshaping the narrative by prioritising their wellbeing, calls on legal leaders to take responsibility for driving change by starting with more open conversations about mental health in the workplace, and emphasises that emotional preparedness and mental health awareness are just as vital as technical expertise for the next generation of legal leaders.

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Unisearch Expert Opinion Services, we explore how forensic and cognitive psychology is being applied in the justice system, and how – together with facial recognition technology – such developments may have implications for legal proceedings. Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Professor Richard Kemp, Forensic Psychologist and Unisearch Expert, UNSW, and Unisearch Expert Opinion Services business development manager Christopher Aaron Yong about Professor Kemp's research fields, why experts like him are in greater demand, the pertinence and necessity of such services in ensuring access to justice, the limitations of such scientific fields, and addressing gaps in legal proceedings. Professor Kemp and Yong also delve into the types of proceedings that such services can be applied to, the place for facial recognition technology in such conversations, risks to be navigated, implications for legal practitioners on the ground, case studies and lessons from those proceedings, and also explore how to assess the reliability of one's memory. To learn more about Unisearch Expert Opinion Services, 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

The proliferation of negative sentiment around migration into Australia, both politically and socioculturally, can take a toll on legal practitioners in this space. To this end, migration law can be seen as a potential bellwether for the legal profession's role in ensuring access to justice and our national identity. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with BDO national leader in migration law Rebecca Thomson about her background in this legal practice area and why it's so rewarding, the sociocultural and political discourse surrounding migration and its disconnect to the realities on the ground, the impact on practitioners like herself, and whether now is the most challenging time to be a migration lawyer. Thomson also delves into the numerous roles that such lawyers have to play in the current climate, bringing a holistic viewpoint, staying on top of a shifting regulatory and legislative landscape, having a community, the importance of migration law moving forward, and lawyers' role in ensuring access to justice. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

Here, an executive general manager discusses how legal counsel can make the vocational transition to business leadership, whether it's a general manager, chief executive, or managing director role. In this episode of The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Australian Unity Trustees executive general manager Kirstin Follows about her legal career and how she came to AUT, supporting that business through both the COVID-19 pandemic and the aged care royal commission, what she found stimulating about in-house legal life, and why work in the aged care sector is so important. Follows also delves into how the transition to the EGM role came about, how she has found the jump to her current role, the skills she needed to develop, how her approach to the EGM role differs to what she was doing as law department leader, how and why heads of legal should be aiming to lead what's happening in the boardroom, not just being a participant, and why such lawyers are well placed to take on executive roles. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with nrol, we explore vocational opportunities for Australian lawyers in the current climate, both domestically and abroad. Host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back nrol founder Jesse Shah to discuss his new business, The Broker For Lawyers, why nrol is the principal partner for the upcoming Women in Law Awards, what's surprised him about the recruitment market in 2025 to date, why the balance of power remains with individual candidates rather than employers and when it might shift, and migration considerations impacting Australian legal recruitment. Jesse also delves into why Australian lawyers are interested in moving overseas, opportunities in the Middle East, why the region is such a good location for lawyers' growth right now, nrol's new presence in the Middle East, why Australian lawyers are sought after, what lawyers need to ask of themselves if they are to make such a move, local market opportunities in the current climate, perceived trends ahead of 2026, and how lawyers should be thinking about their own positions. To learn more about nrol, 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

Space law "doesn't fit into a neat box", spanning multiple legal disciplines. For those practising space law, this brings not only myriad challenges but also opportunities. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Bartier Perry associate Samantha Pacchiarotta about how she became passionate about space law, the state of affairs in this area and how the volume of work will only become bigger, the legal issues pertaining to the proliferation of space junk, and legal questions around incapacity, death, and inheritance in space law. Pacchiarotta also discusses how the law is slow to respond to space technology, governance concerns regarding space law, the commercialisation of space and its legal implications, what constitutes best practice in the face of the myriad challenges, and why others should consider working in space law. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

Having taken the time to be more deliberate about what her vocational journey should look like, this senior lawyer has better positioned herself for success in ways that make sense to her, rather than what others may want or demand from a practitioner like herself. In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Australian Public Service principal legal officer Rachael Karlyl to discuss having worked in so many Australian jurisdictions, how she's found the transition from being a firm owner to working for the public service as a team leader, how and when she started to design her career in more deliberate ways, and how the age of the pandemic has influenced lawyers' thinking on what their careers should look like. Karlyl also delves into what it means to design one's legal career, the important questions that lawyers need to ask of themselves (even if those questions are confronting), her advice to those who might be scared to undertake such vocational changes, whether it's incumbent upon lawyers to take such steps, and why she's a better lawyer for having done so. 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this special episode of LawTech Talks, produced in partnership with Mary Technology, we explore the headline challenges and pain points law firms still face with workload volume, and how the right technologies can act as a "flotation device" if a sense of being drowned arises. Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Mary Technology co-founder Rowan McNamee about how the tech provider came to be, the need to solve evergreen pain points, what's new at Mary Tech, the most common issues and challenges the provider sees with law firms, and why feeling like a team or firm is "drowning" in documentation is such a "massive problem" across the board. McNamee also dives into the conversations the provider is having with firms to address these issues, how Mary's AI can assist with specific workflows, the end result from following certain steps, flow-on benefits for workplace collaboration, mitigating fact chaos, the need to proactively address compounding challenges, and where Mary is headed in the future. To learn more about Mary Technology, click here.

Here, the head of arbitration at a BigLaw firm reflects on the proliferation of digital infrastructure projects globally, together with treaty considerations and protections for Australian investors, and how the combination of a "massive" expansion of data needs in the age of AI and elevated national security concerns makes this area one of the most consequential in the coming 10 years. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Corrs Chambers Westgarth head of arbitration Nastasja Suhadolnik to discuss why she's so stimulated by arbitration work, why there is such a proliferation of projects regarding digital infrastructure at present, the myriad challenges arising from such developments, why Australian investors need protections for investments in such projects, and how lawyers can and should look to navigate the regulatory and legislative hurdles to ensure optimal outcomes for clients. Suhadolnik also delves into the three overarching rules she advises clients to consider in such matters, how best to stay on top of voluminous change in the space, her approach to successful collaboration, why digital infrastructure will be such a defining feature in years to come, why arbitration teams may grow in stature in Australian law firms, and what excites her about ongoing developments in this 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, 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 editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In a demanding and high-stakes profession like law, Irene Kuo stresses the importance of finding and cultivating a supportive network – connections that not only help you navigate challenges but also empower you to grow, succeed, and truly thrive in your career. In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Irene Kuo, director of prime contract management at Fluor Australia and immediate past president of the Western Australia division of the ACC Australia, about how Legally Blonde sparked Kuo's interest in law, the hurdles she faced moving from Taiwan to Australia as a child, and explains how discovering her own support network in the legal profession allowed her to "survive" and thrive in a law firm. Kuo shares insights on how to build and nurture a network within the legal profession, emphasises that while some connections may fade over time, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, shares the benefits of surrounding yourself with a supportive tribe throughout your legal career, stresses the importance of starting to cultivate your own tribe even at university, and highlights that the key to building an effective network requires self-reflection, understanding the types of people you work best with, and being your authentic self around them.