The College of Law

17/06/2021

"Social justice matters," said Hema Hariharan, Managing Director of Arma Legal . "Social justice causes have always inspired me. I've really wanted to advocate to ensure real outcomes for people."

This led her to a career in the Kimberley, and joining Arma Legal to further a career in native title.

Interested in native title law? Read Hema's interview to find out more.

Social justice has always inspired Hema Hariharan, Managing Practitioner Director of Arma Legal. Hema has been recognised as a leading native title lawyer in Doyle’s Guide 2021 and consulted on TV show, ‘The Heights’ when it dealt with native title. Insights spoke to Hema about what Arma Le...

16/06/2021

“We always put the client first,” said Andrew Johnson of AJ&Co.

“We focus on outcomes for our clients. This is a simple approach, but it underpins everything we do. It is why we emphasise industry and business experience in our recruiting, why we always consider value before issuing an invoice and most importantly, why we make sure that any advice we provide cuts through legal jargon and focuses on what the client actually requires to achieve their business objectives. This approach attracts people who are self-motivated, service oriented and want to be part of a culture that delivers results, whilst genuinely enjoying what they do”

Learn how AJ&Co's approach saw them named a finalist in this year's Client Choice Awards.

Andrew Johnson believes that understanding the business of his clients is critical to his firm’s success. His young firm, AJandCo, has recently been named a finalist in the Client Choice Awards, an honour he credits to his collaborative approach to client relationships. Insights spoke to Andrew ab...

11/06/2021

It's (almost) the long weekend, so to ring it in right, we're kicking off our new series, - quick interviews with members of our College of Law community on what they find most rewarding about what they do, wherever they are.

Meet Lauren Cassimatis, Principal Director at Gallant Law AU, and practitioner mentor + adjunct lecturer for The College of Law Victoria:

What do you love about what you do?

I’m a criminal lawyer and an adjunct lecturer with the College of Law. I’m a big believer in breaking down the stigma and stereotypes that attach to us lawyers (and our clients) and showing the world who we really are and why we do what we do. I absolutely love making my students feel supported and empowered; that they do have a true voice that can be heard and understood; and in turn they too can educate the community about what really defines and motivates them as individuals and lawyers.

What makes a Victorian lawyer a ‘Victorian’ lawyer?

We’ve definitely become an even more resilient and adaptable profession as a result of the extended lockdown period and court closures.

We worked out very quickly how to save and rebuild our practices, familiarise ourselves with new technology and platforms (think court appearances via Webex!) and prepare ourselves for the influx of cases resuming post-lockdown. We also successfully bonded with our teams and peers “remotely” and became closer as a community, supporting one another to survive and thrive.

Where’s the best coffee in town?

I’m one of the rare Melbournians that doesn’t drink coffee! Can I recommend Kirks Wine Bar for a good 5pm red?

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Martin Vail (Richard Gere) in Primal Fear always comes to mind. The empathy he has for his client and his diligence throughout the case is always memorable. However, what really stands out is his response at the very end (I won’t give it away!).

What is your favourite line from a judgement or legislation?

"The court does not comprehend or is indifferent to the insidious way in which women can be victims of pay discrimination” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co).

17/02/2021

As the past year saw a boom in pandemic pets, apartment dwellers increasingly clashed with building managers over blanket pet bans. That is...until the Supreme Court declared blanket bans on pets as ‘harsh, unconscionable or oppressive.’

Property lawyer and proud pet father Ciro Figaro explores the ruling, and the paw-sitive implications for pet-loving apartment dwellers.

Until recently, many enforced blanket bans on pets, preventing residents from sharing their abode with a furry or feathered friend. However, lockdowns imposed by COVID brought the issue to the fore once again, and in late 2020, the Supreme Court overturned blanket bans on pets as ‘harsh, unconscio...

10/02/2021

“The world considers the Asian region to be an untapped market, with a strong potential for innovation, progress, and growth,” said Diligent Corporation's Asian Pacific Legal Counsel, Haylen Pong. “In my opinion, we have many lawyers in Australia that are focused on ‘ANZ’. Within the in-house industry, we’re beginning to see more legal counsel roles expand beyond the country we are based in.

But we can do better. When you combine the APAC economies, there is a substantial market for Australia to access, the size of which could compete with China. By investing and trading in more APAC countries, we could retain a logistics efficiency through proximity but also maximise new opportunities for innovation, growth and international cooperation through increased labour movement, and resource sharing. Together, countries can help each other grow.”

Find out why it's time Australian lawyers look east for cross-border opportunities, legal work and trade.

It is time for Australian lawyers to become better connected with our regional neighbours, says Diligent Corporation's Asia Pacific Legal Counsel, Haylen Pong. Her role at Diligent, a modern governance company, requires frequent interaction with stakeholders, legal counterparts and other commercial....

03/02/2021

“Clients come to me facing one of the most significant challenges they will face in their lifetime,” said family lawyer Joanne Bragg. “Having been through a separation and being forced to consider arrangements for my children myself, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges my clients face in parenting matters."

This week, Jo Bragg shares how her personal experience of family separation pulled her from property and commercial to family law practice - and why she hasn't looked back.

Jo Bragg, a solicitor in regional Tasmania, started as a generalist lawyer. Her personal experience of separation, along with increasing client demand, prompted her to move into family law. Insights spoke to Jo about what attracted her to family law, what her day-to-day life looks like in practice,....

15/01/2021

Eager to get into family law, but not sure where to start? Here's Selina Nikoloudakis's top five tips to get your started on your career as a family lawyer. Admitted in the midst of the GFC, in less than ten years Selina has carved a successful niche for herself which has seen her listed as a Leading Family Lawyer in the Australian Doyle's Guide.

08/01/2021

Government lawyer Grace Mickle is no stranger to strange times. She's worked at two organisations that have subsequently wound up, and did a stint at LexisNexis before heading into the ACCC and ASIC.

She knows better than most what happens when the career you were expecting doesn't pan out. Here's her advice on what to do next.

18/12/2020

One of the major lessons from 2020 is that changing the way we work as lawyers can be hugely beneficial, improving how clients perceive our value, and how we derive satisfaction from our work.

Lawyer, author and innovator Lucy Dickens, who recently co-hosted her book launch with the College of Law and Centre for Legal Innovation, offers five practical tips to kickstart how you can do law differently.

11/12/2020

Coming top of the class while COVID pushed all PLT online is no mean feat, but it's an achievement Ross Mackey managed to make look easy. Ross recently won the PLT Prize for Overall Excellence.

Here's his top five tips to excelling in PLT! Do you have any tips or advice for PLT? Share them in the comments below.

10/12/2020

“No one is perfect and part of the practical reality of training to be admitted as a lawyer is that you are going to make mistakes,” said Ross Mackey, winner of the College's Practical Legal Training prize for Overall Excellence.

"Making mistakes and learning from them is far better than not trying at all because you are afraid of failure. I try to apply the same methodology to my studies, embracing and learning from my mistakes.”

Ross shares what it was like to complete PLT online during COVID, his advice for doing well in the course, and figuring out where you would like to practice.

Ross Mackey knows that academic success comes only through perseverance - and a solid support network. As the winner of the College’s Practical Legal Training prize for Overall Excellence, we spoke to Ross about what it was like to complete PLT online during COVID, what he’s doing now, and what ...