44. Leading with Heart: Mel asks Simon Playford all about lawyerin' in the not for profit world
Update: 2025-10-14
Description
In this episode, Mel sits down with Brisbane-based in-house lawyer and all round good human Simon Playford to explore what it means to bring purpose, agility and humanity to legal work.
Simon’s career has spanned private practice, commercial and IP law and now the not-for-profit sector with the Heart Foundation, an organisation that means a great deal to him personally.
Together, they talk about moving from corporate to cause-driven work, the realities of in-house life in a charity and how lawyers can make a difference without sacrificing professional growth.
Mel also announces that she’s donating $1 for every download of this episode within the first 24 hours to the Heart Foundation. 💖
Key themes:
✨ Making the leap from corporate to not-for-profit law
✨ How to measure impact without billables
✨ Purpose-driven careers and redefining success
✨ Agility, imperfection and “good enough” lawyering
✨ Building community in the in-house and NFP space
✨ Why connection is at the heart of great legal work
This is a full-circle story about purpose, legacy and finding meaning in work
Connect with Simon:
LinkedIn
Donate or learn more about the foundation here
Download the New to In-House Survival Guide here!
Connect with Mel:
LinkedIn
Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn
Instagram: @theinhouselawyer
TikTok: @theinhouselawyer
Simon’s career has spanned private practice, commercial and IP law and now the not-for-profit sector with the Heart Foundation, an organisation that means a great deal to him personally.
Together, they talk about moving from corporate to cause-driven work, the realities of in-house life in a charity and how lawyers can make a difference without sacrificing professional growth.
Mel also announces that she’s donating $1 for every download of this episode within the first 24 hours to the Heart Foundation. 💖
Key themes:
✨ Making the leap from corporate to not-for-profit law
✨ How to measure impact without billables
✨ Purpose-driven careers and redefining success
✨ Agility, imperfection and “good enough” lawyering
✨ Building community in the in-house and NFP space
✨ Why connection is at the heart of great legal work
This is a full-circle story about purpose, legacy and finding meaning in work
Connect with Simon:
Donate or learn more about the foundation here
Download the New to In-House Survival Guide here!
Connect with Mel:
Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn
Instagram: @theinhouselawyer
TikTok: @theinhouselawyer
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