New Earth lawyer

Blanca Leon - Taking the leap into purpose-driven legal work | S2 E7

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +1000

Blanca Leon is a UK based lawyer who offers legal consulting support on commercial matters and solutions, combining purpose and values with plain language drafting and visual design to create clear, collaborative and human centric legal documents.

In January 2021, after nearly 10 years, she left a corporate in-house role to explore a holistic approach to practising law.

In this episode, we talk about how Blanca came to her decision and made the leap from corporate to purpose-driven, and what her experience has been thus far.

Show notes:

[2:13] Blanca relates how her involvement in the Conscious Contracts® course helped her develop her vision, mission and values.

[6:46] Blanca describes some of the tools she used to learn what her values were.

[9:40] In starting her purpose-driven legal practice, Blanca's vision and mission became clearer.

[14:15] Blanca reflects on how she evolved from an inhouse paralegal , to an in-house counsel, to where she is now and how she was driven by one of her values - curiosity.

[24:37] Blanca talks about what her purpose-driven legal practice looks like, who her clients are, and how she is creating it - including how she is expressing herself authentically so the 'right' people find her.

[30:22] In discovering her purpose, and aligning with it, Blanca has also had insight into how to apply her unique gifts to her work.

[34:55] Blanca offers her advice to anyone seeking to take the leap into a purpose-driven legal path.

For more please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

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Sylvia Clute - The radically healing power of unitive justice | S2 E6

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:00:00 +1000

Sylvia Clute is the founder of a revolutionary model of criminal justice, know as unitive justice. A former trial attorney, she has devoted her life to justice – but unlike many she has truly reflected on the meaning of this word - justice.

For Sylvia, there are two fundamental models of justice, one grounded in fear that seeks retribution and revenge and one grounded in love that seeks healing and transformation--what she calls "Unitive Justice”.

In this episode, Sylvia shares her vision and the work she does in not just formulating the model but bringing it to life.

Show notes

[1:45] Sylvia relates how she transformed from being a trial attorney who 'went for the jugular' to the founder of a kinder, more loving and healing model of justice with no punitive elements.

[7:30] Through remaining actively practising as a trial attorney, Sylvia built up her model of unitive justice. She identified non-punitive counterparts to correspond to the 14 punitive elements she found in traditional justice models.

[11:35] We need new language to discuss unitive justice because we lack even the words to describe the different concepts it represents.

[17:20] Sylvia relates how she came across 'circle processes', which she sought to take into a public housing project. This introduced her to two convicted felons who had themselves discovered the power of unitive justice concepts via a method they called 'radical tenderness'..

[24:26] With Paul Taylor and Weldon 'Prince' Bunn, Sylvia has co-created a programme called Unity Prison Culture Change which they are piloting in prisons and eventually will take to the community.

[28:07] We discuss the empowerment that unitive justice gives to victims, when we understand that many victims go on to become offenders, and then can use their experiences to be 'credible messengers of change'

[35:43] Sylvia talks about the work she is doing in education, with troubled schools. arming teachers with tools to engender culture change.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Ariadni Athanassiadis - A conscious reimagining of IP laws | S2 E5

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 17:00:00 +1000

We can use laws to nurture our common humanity or create divisions between us.

Intellectual property laws offer us a fine example of how we can unite, rather than separate.

Ariadni Athanassiadis is a Canadian intellectual property and contracts legal professional practising to support solopreneurs, creatives and small business. Her passion has always been to creatively empower others. Her wisdom path as a professional nomad has guided her to appreciate how our joyful expression in relationship with one another can bring about creative harmonics and generative outcomes for communities

In this show, we delve into Ariadni's reimagined IP paradigm, which is a much more effective and productive approach to nurturing the wellspring of creativity that lies in each of us, for the collective good.

Show notes

[2:17] Ariadni describes her vision of intellectual property laws which honours the creativity of our Source essence and empowers the flow of that wellspring of creativity through us.

[11:22] Ariadni explains how she deals with notions of fear, scarcity and protection through her unique method which blends coaching and legal advice.

[19:37] How Ariadni's vision can be maintained even by large corporations dealing with IP in addition to solopreneurs and smaller enterprises.

[27:16] A beautiful retelling from Ariadni of how she shaped her vision of a new approach to IP laws, taking in Indigenous approaches and her own Greek heritage.

[39:14] Ariadni has practical advice for lawyers looking to practise IP law differently - get out into the community and learn from your clients!

For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Chuck Menahem Kanafi - Mindful ways of addressing legal conflicts | S2 E4

Tue, 24 May 2022 12:00:00 +1000

Chuck Menahem Kanafi is a values-based, purpose driven lawyer. He specialises in conflict prevention and management and contracts.

He is a Certified Mediator and brings an intentional and mindful approach to mediation. He is a Certified Conscious Contracts® practitioner and trainer.

We discuss his insights into new ways of addressing conflicts in mediation and through Conscious Contracting® as well as his plans to assist impactful businesses through more compassionate contracts.

Show notes

[2:17] Chuck describes how transformative mediation works to deliver better solutions than traditional dispute settlement.

[8:00] Chuck relates how he came to mindful meditation and his inclusion of mindfulness practices including meditation and Vipassana yoga.

[14:09] We drill into how legal representatives can help or hinder transformative mediation. and how best for lawyers to train for this approach.

[20:03] Chuck shares about his journey to becoming interested in Conscious Contracts® which started with Brexit.

[27:48] Chuck explains how Conscious Contracts® help prevent conflicts, and how traditional lawyers react to them, in his experience.

[33:07] Chuck's latest plans are to assist conscious businesses, such as B-Corps and social enterprises, to integrate Conscious Contracts® into their operations, so they don't omit their conscious approach from their legal frameworks.

To learn more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Nigel Clark - New Law models that promote flexibility and freedom | S2 E3

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Nigel Clark is the CEO of nexa law, an innovative and fast-growing UK-based law business.

He is an international lawyer and an expert in New Law business models. He has had a curiosity about legal business structures for many years and managed cross-border legal services businesses in cities from London and Beijing for a large international law firm.

Nigel most recently co-founded and managed Peregrine Law in London which was acquired by nexa law in January 2020.

In this episode, I pick Nigel's brains on New Law structures and learn more about what nexa law offers - especially how it promotes choice and collegiality.

Show notes

[2:27] Nigel describes how he came to develop the nexa law model with his initial business partner as a back-office platform and connector for lawyers.

[6:33] Nigel talks about the difference between rainmakers and technicians, and how the nexa law model tries to meet the needs of both while growing its business platform.

[9:14] Nigel explains the New Law market and some of the different models and drivers.

[14:03] Connex, the nexa law combined practice offering, balances the rainmakers with technicians.

[17:13] A huge advantage of nexa is choice - choice for lawyers and choice for consumers of legal services from City to High Street.

[21:01] nexa lawyers work in teams and as individuals - Nigel explains how. COVID and innovations in precedent development has accelerated alternative law models.

[26:54] We talk culture, collaboration and collegiality - alll strengths of nexa.

[29:47] Alternative models like nexa also promote diversity - from gender to age to career paths.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Maureen Ngozi Obi-Ezekpazu - The amazing life of a higher consciousness lawyer | S2 E2

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +1100

Maureen Ngozi Obi-Ezekpazu is a barrister with her own chambers in London, England.

Her life story shines with love, courage and service. She is no mystic, guru, or sage. She is a practising lawyer who happens to function with higher awareness of her connection to spirit and lives and breathes it in all her dealings.

She experienced a harrowing childhood of under-privilege, prejudice and abuse growing up in 1960s England as a child of Nigerian migrants. She overcame all of it and today is a successful civil rights lawyer.

Maureen offers holistic legal services to professional and lay clients in the law relating to children and families. She offers services in advice and advocacy, mediation and training workshops. She provides advice directly to the public through the Public Direct access scheme operated by the UK Bar Council.

Her story is bound to amaze and inspire but, as she says herself, everyone has to find their own path and contribute their own unique gifts to the whole.

Show notes

[2:30] Maureen's shares her early years as a child of Nigerian migrants in England, and her experiences of being placed in foster care at 6 weeks old.

[5:06] Maureen returned to her mother at age 5, after her father departed for Nigeria for mental health reasons.

[8:34] Maureen's experiences as an intelligent and gifted child taught her the world insisted on conformance and passed judgment easily.

[13:00] How Maureen first encountered her natural affinity for law at secondary school.

[15:46] Maureen spread her knowledge into business and learned about the incredible power some people have over others.

[17:57] Maureen began work in a law office, but not as a lawyer - her journey to that was just beginning.

[22:34] Maureen applies for the Access to Law course - an unconventional route to law practice which exposed her to social justice and civil rights issues in a remarkable way.

[26:08] Qualifying as a solicitor, Maureen embarks on 18 years of dealing with clients in a heart-centred way.

[34:01] Maureen fulfils her dream of becoming a barrister and secures a place with a prestigious civil rights barristers' chambers.

[37:14] Maureen establishes her own chambers and truly sets about on her mission to be God's instrument in her work.

[40:27] Maureen's work is to help bring about the end of a need for lawyers, as humanity becomes self-governing.

[43:20] Maureen shares her wisdom around learning to honour one's uniqueness and to preserve all of life and nature.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Emily Knowles - Leveraging organisational psychology to create impact | S2 E1

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +1100

Emily Knowles is a trained lawyer who practises as an organisational psychologist.

One of her favourite perspectives is the interplay between organisational psychology and spirituality.

We talk about how the world of work is transforming for everyone. Emily provides helpful tools from the world of organisational psychology to help us navigate our work-lives, deal with the enormous changes in the why, where, how, and when we work, and be more impactful as lawyers.

Emily is a Psychologist, Consultant & Researcher at the Human Link in Melbourne, Australia and National Convener of the Buddhism and Psychology Interest Group of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Show notes

[2:59] Emily dissects the changes in work from 3 perspectives: the work, the worker, and the workplace.

[7:37] We talk about internal and external influences. Emily discusses the 3 things that impact wellbeing: the intrapersonal, the interpersonal and the environment.

[9:13] For Emily, environmental factors for a worker include individual space, shared space and natural environment.

[12:48] Emily talks about transformations affecting why we work, and how and when we work.

[15:27] Emily suggests we think about a to-be list, rather than a to-do list.

[18:46] How can we navigate tension between our organisations and individual workers? For lawyers, Emily has developed what she calls 'practice-area psychology'.

[23:49] Emily mentions Minds Count, a foundation that law firms can sign up to for supporting lawyer wellbeing at work .

[26:42] Practice area psychology allows lawyers to expand their influence beyond themselves to the norms of their legal practice.

[29:12] A practice like yoga can help professionals be more mindful of their bodies, minds and breath and impact how we show up,

[33:09] In our virtual world, Emily reminds us that it's more important than ever to be more than a head in a virtual box!

For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Katherine Thomas - The freedom and future of independent legal workers | S1 E49

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +1100

Katherine Thomas is the CEO of Free Range Lawyers, a collective of people who believe in the power of distributed and remote working to make lives and businesses better. The business connects freelance lawyers who work outside the office with legal service providers looking to flex their resource.

In her role, Katherine has her finger on the pulse of a movement to a different working style, as reflected in the Great Resignation. Katherine provides her informed views on the future of remote and independent working.

Show notes

[1:46] Katherine explains what Free Range Lawyers offers to its law firm clients, generally small and medium sized law firms.

[7:02] Katherine details the onboarding process for lawyers.

[10:04] Katherine shares what personality type suits a 'free range' lawyer.

[14:51] A key benefit and quality of a free range lawyer is autonomy, but it can also be a pitfall.

[19:44] Katherine observes that free range lawyers have a powerful ability to align their work with purpose and values, but it can be a journey to realise this.

[22:35] The collective of lawyers and clients at Free Range Lawyers share a philosophy of seeking ways to make work more sustainable.

[26:42] Katherine discusses the trends and factors she has seen in people being attracted to this style of work.

[30:57] Maintaining a network is an important part of making independent work sustainable, and Katherine explains how this happens and how it can be done.

[34:00] Katherine reveals how she came up with the name Free Range Lawyers!

[36:34] Katherine talks about her future plans for the business.

For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer.

Sarah Dadush - The power of contracts to impact human rights | S1 E47

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 18:00:00 +1100

Sarah Dadush is a professor with Rutgers University in the US. She writes and teaches in the areas of business and human rights, consumer law, and social enterprise law.

Sarah is a member of the American Bar Association's project to develop Model Contract Clauses for human rights due diligence for business. We discuss how these clauses adopt a revolutionary approach to contracting, one of shared responsibility and collaboration to achieve meaningful change in human rights including modern slavery.

** The ABA's project on Model Contract Clauses for Human Rights Due Diligence can be found here. **

Show notes:

[2:17] Sarah explains the background of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section's working group Contractual Clauses Project.

[6:11] I share the Australian experience with contract clauses when our Modern Slavery Act was introduced.

[9:01] Contracts can be used to implement the spirit of legislation intended to improve corporate responsibility.

[13:13] Sarah shares her insight in how contracts are powerful vessels for norms in law and society, because of their flexibility.

[17:56] Contracts can be a way of resetting the transactional nature of relationships, from corporates to government institutions to international agencies.

[20:26] When an entity has a powerful environmental or social purpose, if its contracts are drafted in a transactional way, this can undermine the purpose.

[23:41] Sarah explains how the ABA's Model Contractual Clauses follow a shared responsibility model to address human rights issues.

[27:57] We discuss how the Model Contractual Clauses translate the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights into contractual terms.

[35:45] The Model Contractual Clauses can also be scaled to any company, of any size, in any industry and are entirely customisable.

[41:09] Sarah describes the response the ABA has had to its initiative - which has been positive - from companies, industry associations, international groups like the OECD, and law firms.

For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Paul Knowlton - Partnership Economics - shifting towards mutuality | S1 E45

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +1100

Paul Knowlton is a lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is Of Counsel with a firm called Stanton Law LLC and is a specialist in IP law.

We discuss the book that he has recently co-authored, titled Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics.

Show notes:

[2:19] Paul explains his family background including his mother's Cuban immigrant roots and why he is not anti-capitalist.

[5:20] The purpose of Better Capitalism is to get upstream and influence the theology and philosophies of business leaders.

[8:35] Paul details some of the book's practical solutions for businesses to move towards a mutuality mindset.

[13:01] The same narrow thinking of maximising profits play out in law firms too.

[15:23] Paul explains tells the story of where the expression 'plantation economics' comes from, as used in the book.

[19:31] Viewing lawyers as 'fungible billing units' undermines the nobility and service element of the profession.

[22:59] Paul discusses how the billable hour model came to be and some practical alternatives.

[30:00] Paul's view is that government must contribute to the solution and be measured by the happiness of the people .

[35:41] Better Capitalism aims to step upstream and find solutions at the root of the problems, which means changing mindsets.

[40:51] The work of changing mindsets has a spiritual and theological element to it.

For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Rhiannon Thomas - Gently guiding clients through the process of planning for end of life | S1 E41

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 20:00:00 +1000

Rhiannon Thomas is an attorney, notary, conveyancer and administrator of deceased estates in practice in Cape Town. She is also a values consultant and accredited Conscious Contracts® provider and trainer.

Rhiannon founded Milkwood in 2012 with a mission to bring a more expansive, personal and meaningful approach to Antenuptial Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements and Wills through inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Rhiannon came to this work knowing from an early point in her career that she was different from other lawyers. Her willingness to do things differently led her to develop a compassionate and holistic approach that serves clients meaningfully.

Show notes

[2:25] Rhiannon relates how her decision to do things differently came from a childhood growing up in South Africa and realising that the system of apartheid was essentially a lie accepted by society.

[6:01] After struggling to fit in as a young law student and articled clerk, she shifted to academia and found it was yet another conformist system.

[8:46] From attending an empathy course for health science students, Rhiannon saw that skills of compassion and empathy could be taught, and learned.

[11:23] When two friends with terminal illnesses separately approached Rhiannon to help draft their wills, Rhiannon realised that she wasn't equipped to have difficult conversations around dying and contacted a psychologist.

[15:50] Out of this was borne her new approach and her consultancy, Milkwood. Rhiannon works with mental health professionals and has developed an approach to really get to know her wills clients.

[18:18] Rhiannon has also developed a unique way of working with couples on antenuptial contracts, which involves working with a counsellor to delve into attitudes towards money and relationships.

[24:30] Rhiannon answers my question about what she would have thought as a demoralised law student if she could see the work she is doing now.

[27:06] Rhiannon talks about her introduction to the integrative law movement, where she immediately felt she had found her tribe.

[31:10] Rhiannon says she learns, grows and develops all the time, which is part of being an integrative lawyer.

[32:40] Rhiannon's vision is twofold - to continue to offer services to people that are based on integrative law principles and to inspire other lawyers to start changing their practice to benefit themselves and others.

For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website;

Bernie Hung - Uniquely combining coaching, business and law | S1 E39

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 14:00:00 +1000

Bernie Hung is a lawyer and the founder and CEO of Blue Box Rocket.

She has a unique approach to serving clients, combining her experience as an IP and technology lawyer, her business acumen from being Asia-Pacific in-house counsel to a top multinational luxury group and her executive coaching skills, backed up by well-regarded courses and certifications.

We talk about how through her work she brings out the best in entrepreneurs and CEOs who are driven to make the world a better place.

Show notes

[1:56] Bernie relates her journey from a lawyer in BigLaw to in-house counsel for Gucci in Asia, a hectic job which saw her managing all legal matters for the design house in multiple jurisdictions.

[6:20] Bernie found herself learning all she could about the business to become a more effective and efficient lawyer.

[8:59] Bernie now practises as an IP lawyer with a Hong Kong law firm but from her London base runs Blue Box Rocket which provides clients with an assimilated legal, business consulting and executive coaching service.

[12:08] Based on her experience as an in-house lawyer, Bernie provides her clients with a more holistic legal service and aims to understand them and their business comprehensively.

[13:57] She began to find that she was dealing with clients, they were opening up to her about their mindset and their businesses.

[17:37] Bernie deals mainly with entrepreneurs and CEOs who are looking to take an idea from a seed to reality or to scale up or expand significantly.

[19:51] Bernie found no-one was combining the services of lawyer, business consultant and executive coach as she was.

[24:36] Bernie considers that a Rebel Lawyer is a lawyer who provides services in an unconventional way. who seeks to understand the client first as a person.

[29:54] Bernie tested her approach with those seeking to serve others, such as those in caring professions or those with innovative products.

[32:28] Bernie's idea is to create a Rebel Lawyer school that will teach her combined approach to other lawyers.

For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Amar Dhall - The quantum properties of law | S1 E37

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +1000

Amar Dhall is a true polymath. Over the last 15-years Amar’s career has evolved from being an award-winning university lecturer and obtaining a Ph.D. to exploring the intersection between law and quantum mechanics.

We talk about his research into the deeper, quantum implications of law and his more recent work in supporting lawyers to understand their trauma responses, to make them better lawyers.

Show notes

[1:42] Amar explains his pre-law career in property development and management and what motivated him to study law.

[6:11] While studying law, Amar had a spiritual epiphany and ended up exploring the relationship between the law and quantum mechanics as part of his doctoral thesis in law.

[7:54] Amar theorises that applying quantum principles to law - getting to the essence of the observer and the thing observed - results in better legal reasoning.

[10:20] Keeping in mind the 'meta' issues around law will also lead to lawyers contributing more to society, allowing us to apply the law as the organising principle in society that it was intended to be.

[15:49] Amar faced criticism and bullying in his work. However, his love for law kept him committed to exploring his perspectives and finishing his thesis.

[20:56] Amar and I discuss the personal relationship of a lawyer to the law. Amar brings up the idea of aligning our laws with the laws of nature. Amar's idea is that neo-natural law will develop as we begin to look beyond the materialist paradigm as a species.

[25:16] Amar embarked on a career in therapy to assist lawyers to find more meaning in the way their relate to the law.

[26:54] Lawyers tend to be above average in IQ and below average in EQ, with a trauma response of using achievement to their channel anxiety.

[29:38] Part of Amar's motivation is to help younger cohorts of lawyers to manage their responses to engender an overall healthier legal profession.

[31:50] Amar and I talk about the law as a living sacred thing and how that brings concepts of love into it.

[34:44] Finally, Amar shares with us his work with groups of men in the Mankind Project and the idea of enantiodroma, that moving too far into a polarised concept results in adopting the opposite!

To learn more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Nicolle Kopping-Pavars - A fertility lawyer speaks about why family matters | S1 E33

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 14:00:00 +1000

Nicolle Kopping-Pavars is a family lawyer and fertility law expert based in Toronto, Canada. She is also a trained meditation and mindfulness teacher.

We talk about her professional and spiritual journey as she reinvented herself after moving from South Africa to Canada, how she developed her family and fertility law practice and how she is now a guide for her clients as they undergo transformations in their lives and their families.

We touch on the meaning of family, why it's so important to all of us, and how valuing and nurturing family is crucial so we can start to recognise and embrace the entire human race as one family.

Show notes

[1:57] Nicolle relates how she became interested in mindfulness, after finding she and many of her colleagues were unable to achieve 'work-life' balance and were suffering.

[6:18] Nicolle became aware of The Secret and the Law of Attraction, and began her personal self-development journey. However, she needed a more spiritual solution, so began training in Buddhist meditation.

[8:59] According to Nicolle, mindfulness stills the mind and gives us power over our responses so we can create more responsibly.

[11:12] In 2020, Nicolle rebranded her law practice to focus on transformation. She brings her whole self, her interest in crystals, oracle cards and spirituality in general, into her dealings with clients.

[16:17] Being herself allows her to move past imposter syndrome and be authentic and unashamed of herself.

[17:46] Nicolle is clear about choosing the clients whom she acts for. Having requalified as a lawyer in Canada after moving from South Africa, she promised herself she would be true to herself.

[21:37] Nicolle had always been interested in surrogacy and relates her personal experience being asked to act as a surrogate. From there, she was motivated to help as many families as possible to deal with fertility issues and start families of their own.

[27:59] We talk about the importance of family and why protecting the family as a unit is important for humans. It preserves community and helps children feel safe and at home wherever they are.

[32:32] As Nicolle says, divorce doesn't have to mean the end of family and children can feel like they have multiple homes.

[35:55] Nicolle discusses her plans for continuing to advocate for mental wellness for lawyers.

For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Idara Bassey - Spirituality and the corporation | S1 E31

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +1000

Idara Bassey is a lawyer and expert on lawyer wellbeing. She is an author of Reflections of a Mystical Sistah, a channeled book, and her new book on rethinking the rules of lawyering is due to be published in 2022.

We talk about the place of spirituality in the modern corporation, how leaders need to do inner work to lead today's corporations, and how lawyering is changing to meet the growing demands of people who are awakening to their deeper spiritual needs.

Show notes

[2:18] Idara shares with us how her first book Reflections of a Mystical Sistah came about, after she moved from Washington DC to California, the day before 9/11 occurred. That book is a channelled book.

[6:24] It was in law school that Idara sharpened her connection to her intuition, when she began to observe the energy there and how it transformed people to behave in self-serving ways.

[9:44] Idara decided that if she would survive law school, she would cultivate inner energetic strengths.

[13:29] Self-reflection and not necessarily doing what society tells you to do are important when everything around us is being re-evaluated.

[15:46] After law school, Idara finished her LL.M then ended up in Washington DC working with a non-profit that was a sub-Saharan Africa relief agency. This also gave her the chance to observe how attached people were to their titles and roles.

[19:21] After 10 years in academia, and moving to California, Idara enrolled herself in a doctoral degree in metaphysics. Her thesis focussed on the manifestation of energy in corporations. Parts of Idara's doctoral thesis were channelled.

[23:37] We talk about the Great Resignation of 2021 when large numbers of people are expected to resign from their corporate jobs, up to 40% by some estimates.

[28:29] Idara's new book is about the limitations of the traditional way of thinking like a lawyer and the new ways to be a lawyer in this period of mass transformation.

[34:26] Idara sees this period of lockdowns, restriction and limitation as an opportunity for personal growth.

For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Pearlette J Ramos - Not all who wander are lost | S1 E29

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +1000

Dr Pearlette J. Ramos is a leader, lawyer, social justice advocate, and writer. She is a world traveller who has expanded herself through travel and now coaches other women to do the same.

We talk about her upcoming documentary, Three (Extra)ordinary Women, which will chronicle the journey of three women who have overcome personal tragedy and obstacles to triumph in their lives, while coming together to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Three (Extra)ordinary Women documentary: https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/three-extraordinary-women/

***To donate to help make the film a reality, please visit here ***

Show notes:

[2:39] Pearlette tells us how she has adjusted her travel plans in the time of COVID. She runs a business guiding travel groups - mainly women - to places like Italy, Morocco and Antarctica.

[4:43] Pearlette's passion for travel stemmed from a traumatic and abusive childhood, where she would pray to God and would dream of a life, beyond the limitations of her upbringing. She overcame financial limitations and her own fears and beliefs to create a business involving travel.

[9:00] After practising law for 12 years, Pearlette went back to school to gain a PhD in Psychology. Her childhood experiences led her to believe that we have access to something beyond our minds and by tapping into it we can be led to live a fuller life.

[13:00] In accessing the power of her prayers, dreams and imagination, Pearlette believed in something better for herself, which was a source of hope and healing. It is in our power to choose to transcend our traumatic experiences.

[15:49] When one has been oppressed, seeing the oppression as a limitation that can be overcome and learned from is empowering. Pearlette used the limitations on travel imposed by COVID to achieve a greater sense of peace and equanimity.

[20:31] As a solo female traveller. Pearlette has used travel to challenge and set tasks for herself, for example travelling to Egypt alone and more recently going to Antarctica, which is a journey she used as a catalyst to reset her vision for her life post-50.

[23:38] Pearlette is now exploring her creative side rather than her analytical side which she relied on for so long as a lawyer. She is expressing her creativity through the documentary project, Three (Extra)ordinary Women which brings together her passions for travel, exploration, empowerment of women, and hiking.

[27:08] Three (Extra)ordinary Women tells the story of three women: Pearlette, Tami and Terry, who have overcome obstacles and trauma early in their lives to achieve amazing things in the areas of social justice. They will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2021.

[33:05] Tami had her mother murdered in front of her as a 6 year old child. Today she is an environmentalist in Dallas, Texas.

[34:31] Terry was born in Palestine and when the Israelis invaded Palestine her life became hell. She emigrated to America as a teenager and worked instead of studying so her family could join her.

[36:23] Pearlette overcame abuse as a child and lost her baby as a teenage mother. With Tami and Terry is currently preparing for the physical challenges of the hike which will begin on 8 September.

[40:18] Pearlette is working hard on bringing the documentary to life and hopes it will inspire girls and women who see it to be inspired to overcome whatever emotional, mental and physical challenges they have faced in their life.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Chamundai Curran - Laughter is the best remedy | S1 E27

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Chamundai Curran is the owner of The Laughter Lawyer, a training organisation for wellness, personal effectiveness, relationship building, conflict resolution and coaching and mentoring programs, based on laughter yoga.

Chamundai coaches and mentors lawyers and professionals who are interested in spirituality, feel called to look more deeply into life, their purpose, and who seek to be of service to humanity using their unique gifts and talents.

We talk about how laughter is a true healer, by lifting a person, placing problems in perspective, enhancing creativity, aiding emotional wellbeing and transmitting positive physiological hormones and other chemicals to the body. It's a boon for lawyers who tend to take ourselves too seriously!

Show notes

[2:04] Chamundai's early legal career was traditional, as a family and litigation lawyer. She found that traditional law didn't fix her clients' problems. She began to delve into counselling as a Lifeline counsellor to help her clients.

[6:01] Chamundai's spiritual quest started early, as a child she was curious about esoteric questions and as a teenager took up yoga in Sydney. She felt strongly pulled to the yogic tradition, meeting the guru Swami Satyananda.

[8:54] I discuss with Chamundai the concept of reincarnation and 'past lives' influencing choices we make in our current life, which sometimes expresses itself as a strong attraction to a particular country or tradition.

[12:24] Chamundai also began to awaken to an intuition in her work, guiding her to clients and leading her to discuss healing concepts with them.

[14:55] Chamundai became involved in Lifeline unintentionally, through a friend's invitation, who didn't tell her what it was about but invited her to a training session for counsellors.

[17:47] From counselling - which taught her valuable compassionate communication skills - Chamundai trained in mediation and restorative justice.

[20:18] Later, Chamundai became inspired to start a laughter club, based on a divine thought that came to her after feeling dispirited with the legal profession.

[22:24] The idea of a laughter club led Chamundai to find laughter yoga, which tied back to her love for yoga and her earlier spiritual training.

[28:47] Growing out of her experiences with laughter yoga, Chamundai started The Laughter Lawyer which systematically lifts people to a higher place through laughter as therapy.

[29:45] Through The Laughter Lawyer, Chamundai assists clients with wellbeing. She also sees it as vital to building community for like-minded lawyers.

[33:20] Chamundai sees more lawyers gravitating towards integrative law and opening themselves up to spirituality. It might mean going down unexpected paths.

[35:59] A good teacher will provide a person with options and open themselves up to inner wisdom instead of creating followers.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Kelly McGrath - Restoring lives in the wake of trauma and serious crime | S1 E25

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +1000

Kelly McGrath, Esq., is the owner of Kelly McGrath Law, PLLC, a non-litigation law firm focusing on business and family law mediations, restorative justice cases, and collaborative divorce. Her practice in Tallahassee, Florida puts compassion and listening first and she has developed client protocols to ensure this.

We talk about her mission as a peacebuilder and how she has brought that into her work, something she demonstrates through example after powerful example of the law being an instrument of restoration and healing for people and communities after trauma and serious crime.

Show Notes

[1:48] Kelly talks about her background in care and support, as a kindergarten teacher who studied law then moving to working as an attorney for the State of Florida. Her collaborative, gentle style naturally led her to discover a kinder way to practise law, including implementing initial empathetic listening sessions with her clients.

[5:23] Kelly includes empathy in her mediation work, by holding pre-conferences that also emphasise communication, values and mindset.

[7:39] In dealing with conflict, Kelly guides her clients through deep breathing and meditative practices, which are based on studies of human responses.

[11:16] Kelly's vision is of world peace and her mission is to help guide people through their most challenging conversations so they can resolve them through peace.

[14:38] Kelly introduces us to restorative justice by describing the case of 20-year old Ann Grosmaire who was murdered by her boyfriend Conor McBride and whose parents used restorative justice principles to heal as well as prevent Conor from being served the death penalty.

[17:41] In serious harm cases, such as rape and sexual assault, restorative justice can bring a degree of closure to the victim who can move on with their life. Kelly describes one such example that she worked on.

[20:09] Restorative justice models can co-exist with existing criminal justice processes. In the pre-trial stage it can work as a diversion program, for example, by establishing conditions of probation and avoiding incarceration.

[21:10] When the offender is in prison, it operates as a victim-offender dialogue that can help bring closure to victims and their families.

[23:13] Kelly also engages in training restorative justice facilitators and describes the type of training it might entail.

[26:29] Restorative justice can bring communities together, as Kelly explains through an example of a 12 year old boy who damaged a community centre, scaring an elderly neighbour. The diversion program resulted in the boy's family and the neighbour assisting each other and the community coming together to support them.

[31:14] Kelly advises young lawyers who are motivated to make change in the criminal justice system to speak to their supervisors with examples of how modalities like restorative justice work effectively and request training.

[32:32] Kelly continues to expand the idea of more empathy in mediation She shuns the billable hour in her work and works only on a fixed fee basis.

[35:32] In addition, Kelly continues to support the Florida Restorative Justice Association through continuing legal education programs.

[37:25] Finally, Kelly also runs as a side passion the Life After All program, which is a support program for post-divorce and widowed women to move forward through a network of supportive professionals such as personal trainers and financial advisers.

For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Paul Watchman - Big Law and the big greenwash | S1 E23

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Paul Watchman is a leading figure and recognised legal authority in areas connected with ESG (environmental, social and governance). Through a long association with the UN, he closely scrutinises law firms and their developing ESG practices.

We talk about the widespread greenwashing by Big Law, how large law firms really see their ESG practices as recruitment tools and use it for glossy promotional material, but in large part fail to walk the walk on diversity, wellbeing, sustainability and transparency.

Show notes:

[2:05] Paul shares his background as a lawyer in Glasgow acting for the homeless and victims of domestic violence, before he turned to academia and eventually became a partner at Magic Circle firm Freshfields.

[5:45] Paul says the levels of greenwashing he has found in scrutinising Big Law firms is substantial, having reviewed the ESG practices claimed by 55 international law firms.

[7:06] As a Big Law insider of many decades, Paul is well-equipped to judge what large law firms are promoting about their ESG credentials and what is actually true. What he found was exaggeration of the scale and depth of ESG practices.

[9:58] ESG specialism takes a commitment to learning, plus practical experience. The true number of ESG legal specialists is significantly smaller than what is claimed collectively by law firms. Genuine specialists would be known by the long-time practitioners in the area.

[12:11] Paul expands on law firms using their ESG practices as a recruitment tool while their own records on diversity and wellbeing are dismal.

[15:11] According to Paul, one of the biggest drivers of unhealthy culture in large law firms is the billable hour model which reduces lawyers to resources and puts young lawyers under tremendous pressure.

[16:40] The billable hour model also mitigates against the specialism needed for ESG lawyers to develop due to the investment in learning required which short-termism does not allow for.

[19:39] Paul identifies specialist niche legal practices as one of the reasons for optimism in the development of authentic ESG legal practices. Niche practices can also choose clients who are aligned with their own values, which Big Law is not prepared to do.

[23:43] Another point of pressure ought to come from general counsels and in-house legal counsels holding law firms accountable for diversity and inclusion in their workforce, including by demanding audits.

[27:34] In Paul's direct experience, large law firms are extremely reluctant to provide statistics on diversity gender at the top of the tree in their structures, which is equity partnership.

[30:03] We discuss how the real problem with Big Law and the ESG greenwash and hypocrisy is a fundamental lack of transparency.

[35:31] I ask Paul for advice to young up and coming ESG lawyers and his extremely insightful message is to be courageous, be focussed, be imaginative and be mindful of how ESG is changing structures and public expectations, such as by applying public law standards to multinational corporations.

For more, please visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.

David Cameron - A Hong Kong story: Core values & client commitments | S1 E21

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

David is the principal of David Cameron Law Office, based in Hong Kong. David started his own law firm in order to better serve clients and provides advice on corporate law and financing transactions at a fixed fee.

David has thought deeply about every facet of his new firm, from core values and the 12 commitments he makes to every client, to how he would develop and nurture anyone who comes to work for him. We talk about all this against the unique backdrop of the Hong Kong legal market, where New Law firms are only just beginning to emerge.

Show Notes

[1:29] David explains the nature of the Hong Kong market - which is segmented into various types of law firms. The market and regulatory barriers to entry mean that NewLaw firms are only just beginning to emerge.
[6:02] David's move to set up his own practice came from his own innate sense that he was limited by his prior environments and wanted to test boundaries in the law.
[9:18] David's simple innovations include introducing a Board of advisors, and establishing core values and client commitments.
[11:52] NewLaw firms have a unique opportunity to create alignment between clients and their founder's values.
[13:39] David describes the way he went about identifying how he could make meaningful, truthful commitments to clients to distinguish himself and let clients know he can be trusted.
[15:18] A NewLaw firm can implement core values from inside-out that are not just a poster on a wall.
[21:13] David explains that in Hong Kong, the fixed fee, value pricing model resonates with a mid-level segment of the market which is prevalent in Hong Kong.
[26:11] Marketing for a niche law firm in Hong Kong also is about finding a personal touch and way of communicating.
[27:27] The entry of Chinese law firms in Hong Kong has shaken up the top end of the market but not really impacted the segment targeted by David's firm.
[29:12] In looking to hire a lawyer to join him, David has thought deeply about what he can offer the right person and how this plays into the broader factors young Hong Kong lawyers are facing right now. This includes nurturing, close attention to professional development, work-life balance, an opportunity to participate in innovative law practices, and succession planning.
[33:42] David's sound advice for young Hong Kong lawyers is to be mindful of debt burden being acquired, look for a niche, and consider all of your options.
[37:33] Opportunities for young lawyers joining NewLaw firms are non-traditional but offer a more transparent path.

To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Melissa Lyon - People won't forget how you made them feel | S1 E19

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +1000

Melissa Lyon is Executive Director and Experience Designer of Hive Legal, a boutique law firm based in Melbourne, Australia. She is committed to improving the experience for those who receive legal services and all of those who work in our industry.

We talk about how innovation starts with prioritising the experience for clients and for your people. This is the essence of human-centred design and is Mel's guiding principle and what makes Hive Legal successful.

Show Notes

[2:00] Mel explains how innovation was built into every component of Hive from its inception.
[3:42] Hive not only has removed time sheets to focus on outputs but allows completely flexible remote working practices.
[5:40] The nub of Hive's innovation is its human-centred design - for clients and its people. The legal profession tends to jump to high-tech solutions and efficiencies instead of focussing on the people experience.
[9:19] Mel gives an example of how Hive with its flat structure brings in the right components of expertise (tech and design-thinking) to improve client experience in a contract approval process.
[13:25] Mel talks about Hive's purpose to improve the experience for its team and clients and her own purpose to give people a fulfilling career early on.
[14:59] Authenticity gives rise to creativity which breeds an innovative culture.
[17:20] We talk about healthy cross-pollination and innovation within firms which traditional law firms have barriers around.
[20:24] Mel explains how at Hive everyone has input into strategy which leads to true inclusiveness. Everyone's voice is heard which motivates everyone to contribute time and energy to the betterment of the firm.
[24:57] Big Law will always have a place for large scale legal matters but New Law is already contributing to the legal ecosystem.
[27:09] As a New Law firm, Hive offers a unique training model for graduates in highly specialised areas with the same type of work as Big Law but in a different model. Young lawyers now can also think about allied legal areas and building their career in a completely bespoke way.
[31:26] Hive intends to expand its consulting model which involves bringing its successful innovative ideas to the broader legal ecosystem including other law firms, clients and regulators.

For more, visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.

Matthew Burgess - Tech and pricing innovation in a virtual law firm | S1 E17

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +1000

Matthew Burgess is a founder of specialist firm View Legal which offers holistic estate planning solutions and education for trusted advisers. He has developed a unique specialist model that is all about elegant and effective tech and pricing innovation geared to clients.

We talk about what pricing innovation looks like using Matthew's real-life experience, how tech doesn't have to be expensive or advanced to deliver effectively and what kind of diversity actually leads to innovation.

Show notes

[1:49] Matthew takes us through his journey from young-gun partner at a large law firm to realising that being "exquisite" at filling in timesheets did not make him the kind of lawyer he ought to be for his clients.

[5:40] Matthew talks about trying to fight the machine from the inside - from piloting fixed pricing to ditching timesheets.

[10:12] Matthew shares what he learned about value pricing along the way, including being not attached to the outcome but looking out for the client's best outcome.

[14:05] We reflect on the possibility of scaling up value pricing for large law firms, and the impact that would have on the reallocation of resources away from the timesheet model to investment and client relationships.

[16:36] Throwing out timesheets means transforming the entire system from one that values "time spent" to one that removes the focus on short-term gains and huge margins.

[19:18] Matthew explains how technology is an enabler and it's often simple solutions like retraining lawyers to use cheap and effective technology that delivers significant efficiencies.

[23:19] Releasing lawyers and staff from routine work that technology can take care of allows reimagining of the entire law firm including building-in rewards for innovation not adding them on as extra incentives.

[26:54] We discuss how both Big Law firms and New Law disruptors have a part to play in the entire ecosystem of training lawyers technically and to develop emotional intelligence.

[31:00] We cover how current law firm partners have no incentive to change the system. From there, we delve into how monoculture in law firms strips out diversity of thought, no matter how diverse people may appear in gender or culture.

[35:22] In talking about authenticity, Matthew explains how until we begin to focus more on results, as a profession, we will not get to true diversity.

[36:54] Our attempt to conform in law firms, from our style of dress to the things we talk about, stifles personality, authenticity and diversity.

[39:41] Matthew's final piece of advice is to focus always on how to best deliver and create value for people.

For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Amanda Lamond - Integrating spirituality and the law | S1 E15

Sat, 26 Jun 2021 20:00:00 +1000

Amanda Lamond is a Legal Futurist, a Soul Coach for lawyers and a Spiritual Channel. Her name, Amanda Lamond, means “Beloved Lawspeaker”.

In this episode, we talk about her various roles and how they each touch on the importance of Spirit in the life of lawyers today - to secure a brighter future for the profession, to help individual lawyers find their soul purpose and to bring in the higher guidance that Amanda has received which is her unique contribution in creating and holding space for lawyers of the new paradigm.

Show notes

[2:51] In discussing her role as a legal futurist, Amanda explores the breakdown of current systems in this current period we're living in, including the legal system.
[5:25] Amanda speaks about the crisis in the law, which is that lawyers are not liked, don't like each other, and don't like themselves. Integrative law seeks to address this crisis.
[8:49] Amanda works with universities and law students to grow their awareness of another way to practise law.
[13:10] From her work with universities, she created the awakening lawyers mentoring program with 28 law students and 28 mentors from around the world.
[16:04] Amanda's soul coach work is aimed at encouraging awakened lawyers to remain in the law by reimagining and redesigning their lives.
[22:04] Through the mentoring program, Amanda is guiding law students to see the innovative ways in which lawyers are practising law and allowing them to see more options.
[25:29] Amanda's soul coaching work with lawyers includes programs to uplift client perceptions and energies so they are empowered to execute their soul purpose.
[32:41] In working with someone to divine their soul purpose, Amanda helps them tap into their inner wisdom and also to heal and accept themselves and be comfortable with stillness and silence.
[39:30] Amanda relates her remarkable story of when she began to hear her spiritual guidance more clearly which has led to her becoming a spiritual channel. It began with a trip to Bali, Indonesia in 2012.
[43:12] Today Amanda channels messages for herself and her clients who are awakening lawyers to support them in their journeys.
[46:22] Amanda is also being guided to work more with groups of lawyers and create and hold safe space for these groups of new paradigm lawyers to emerge and do their work.

To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Peter Lustig - Our lives as legal mythology | S1 E13

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:00:00 +1000

Peter Lustig is a lawyer and mediator based in Melbourne, Australia. As a collaborative practitioner, he is interested in healing and peacemaking: resolutions, not least-worst-outcome settlements. As a coach, he is involved in men's groups including adult male rite of passage programs with a not-for-profit called Mankind Project Australia.

In this episode, we talk about how lawyers - like health professionals - are facilitators of heroic healing journeys and how that shows up in our life stories, including Peter's own epic legal battle with an iconic Australian corporation.

Show notes:

[1:39] Peter explains how childhood trauma and experiences as a young man equipped him only to deal with conflict through fight, flight or freeze responses, For him, a good part of being an adversarial lawyer was arrogance.
[3:38] Creating one's own rites of passage is part of the journey into inquiring about one's purpose. Doing his own inner work led Peter to see his clients were becoming entangled with the law because there were lessons they were resistant to learning.
[7:49] I discuss with Peter the parallels between our profession and the medical profession, and between traditional legal practice which resolves conflicts superficially and allopathic medicine, which treats symptoms only.
[10:35] Just as our bodies express psychological trauma as physical ailments, conflict shows up in our lives to demonstrate to us what is going on within us.
[14:26] Peter's shares his own bruising experiences in a long-running legal dispute with Qantas, which began with an incident while he was boarding a flight from Sydney to Melbourne with a client.
[18:27] The proceedings Peter was embroiled in involved defending a felony charge with a potential significant custodial penalty. Peter was successfully cleared of the charge on appeal.
[20:11] Following resolution of the criminal proceedings, Peter and his client launched civil action against Qantas in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal . Eventually, Qantas succeeded in arguing the Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
[22:49] Peter's overall lesson from the epic battle with the iconic Australian company is that it was humbling, and he would do things differently if he could go back to the moment that set it off, The dispute became about entitlements, and the relationship aspects were lost in the heat of legal battle.
[26:09] From Peter's personal saga, we move to the men's groups he leads, which are adult male rite of passage programs taking young men through wilderness journeys where they conquer challenges and integrate the experiences upon return, all in a safe space overseen by other men who have experienced the same.
[29:54] The programs encourage alignment of the heat, heart and belly; authenticity; and checking in with emotions.
[33:45] We talk about how women typically process and heal trauma differently, being moved to nurture in a maternal sense as opposed to directing efforts towards fixing as men traditionally do.
[37:11] Peter explains how lockdown exacerbates conflict and we can use it as an opportunity to identify triggers.
[38:44] Being a better human being is the aim, which will lead us to be better lawyers - better in everything we do.
[40:15] Peter relates 2 powerful stories of resolution in a partnership dispute and a divorce settlement which shows that ultimately resolving all interpersonal conflict comes down to reminding ourselves of our relationships with the people around us.

For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Patrick Andrews - Intrepid creator of new corporate structures | S1 E11

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +1000

Patrick Andrews is a lawyer and facilitator with over 30 years’ experience in corporate structures and governance. He goes by the description Barefoot Lawyer. A barefoot lawyer he says is someone who makes law accessible, who meets people where they are and who is connected to the earth.

An intensely curious soul and a deep thinker, he has garnered a reputation for designing innovative, human-centred and earth-friendly corporate structures. In this episode, we talk about his journey to the outer reaches of corporate law and governance and the treasures he brings back on his intellectual travels.

Show notes:

[1:39] Patrick shares his story of his first trip to China, where he realised his job as a corporate lawyer had wider repercussions on society and the planet, that weren't necessarily for the better.

[8:49] Patrick discusses his years of 'wandering', looking for root causes of why so many good people in the capitalist, corporate world make decisions that perpetuate harm and inequity.

[9:18] Patrick says he began to see it was a systemic issue and sought to apply his innate curiosity to solving it.

[11:50] Patrick forayed into the not-for-profit world and found an equally toxic environment there.

[12:51] Patrick explained that he finally determined that our existing corporate legal structures are not equipped to underpin the type of corporation the world needs and he set about building it.

[17:43] Patrick began to see his role as a bridge-builder, working with entrepreneurs who were visionary and brave enough to work with him to create new structures.

[19:47] We talk about the B Corporation model, which Patrick sees as a positive but still interim model to more radical change.

[22:16] Patrick explains his ideas of moving beyond the concept of ownership of a company and ownership of employees, which harks back to serfdom and slavery.

[25:07] I ask Patrick his views on The British Academy's Future of the Corporation and Principles of Purposeful Business, which is brilliant in its conceptualisation of the different parts that need to be innovated.

[26:27] Moving away from a top-down, growth-oriented model to something more fluid and accepting of human complexity aligns with quantum theory and nature. In this vein, Patrick is exploring multiple-board models.

[31:33] Patrick shares the four elements of change he is working on, starting with embedding purpose in by-laws, in common with B Corporations. The second element is implementing a mission lock to protect the purpose through a golden-share mechanism.

[33:36] In discussing the third element of removing a rigid, controlling, hierarchical management structure, Patrick brings up the seminal book Reinventing Organisations by Frederic Laloux,

[36:30] Patrick's fourth element is the decentralisation of power towards polycentric governance, reminiscent of Indigenous ways of organising their tribal structures including Aboriginal Australian and Native American.

For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Camilla Andersen - Boom! Kapow! The wonderful world of comic contracts | S1 E9

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Camilla Andersen is an experienced law professor with successes in teaching, research and funded industry engagement. Her innovation and contribution to the law comes in the field of visual law, specifically the unique area of comic contracts. She has pioneered this work over the last 5 years.

For lawyers, her work is a revelation.

Join me as we delve into the fascinating story of how comic contracts came to be, and how they are revolutionising the world of legal contracting.

Show notes:

[4:01]: Camilla discusses the factors that led her to the world of comic contracts, from her work with the pro-active law movement, to being a mother to two highly-intelligent savant children with ASD thus learning different ways of communicating,

[6:38] Camilla reveals the amazing true story of how comic contracts came to be!

[10:14] Camilla harks back to the early days of comic contracts, beginning with non-disclosure agreements signed by university students.

[12:22] A slot on ABC Radio's Law Report turned into a sponsorship opportunity of a lifetime via great innovative thinking at Aurecon led by their then Chief Innovation Officer John McGuire.

[13:41] We discuss the Aurecon employment contracts in depth, selecting some of the most multitextured parts of the contracts and how they enriched the employer-employee relationship.

[19:05] Camilla relates how images can also end up getting lost in translation when they symbolise different things to different cultures!

[21:03] From Aurecon, Camilla moves on to her biggest project so far - Bankwest's customer terms and conditions in comic form, approved by Australia's securities regulator, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).

[24:02] Camilla tells us how endorsement for the enforceability of comic contracts came from one of the highest judicial authorities in Australia, a former Chief Justice of the High Court.

[26:44] Camilla shows us an example contract from her husband's Alternative Consulting business, a one-page handyman services contract.

[30:49] Customers universally love the comic contracts, it seems. There is also an alternative for the visual impaired that stays true to the comic contract form.

[32:42} We talk about how to negotiate comic contracts - lawyers should sharpen their pencils!

[37:08] Camilla explains how to approach her or her husband's business to develop a comic contract, whether for large sponsors or smaller organisations, and tells us a little of what goes into the whole process.

For more, visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.

Virginia Warren - Transforming lawyers with the wisdom of love | S1 E7

Mon, 31 May 2021 06:00:00 +1000

Virginia Warren is a lawyer on a mission.

She is not only a lawyer, she is a qualified yoga instructor, author of a book on how to resolve dissatisfaction in the legal profession, and a TedX Speaker. Until 2021, she was a partner in a legal practice in Mornington, Victoria, Australia. Today she runs a practice training lawyers and clients in love-based wisdom, called Lawyers for Love.

Lawyers for Love is currently exploring an alternate platform for individuals that supports the discovery of authentic selves, by using conflict as a catalyst.

It’s fair to say that Virginia is on a mission to bring the wisdom of love to our profession.

Show notes:
[01:52] Virginia recounts her journey into law, from a legal receptionist to law school to becoming a partner at the very same firm.

[04:16] Destiny had more in store for Virginia, in the form of a pair of high heels that led to her downfall, literally, and discovery of yoga to fix her bruised knees and ego.

[5:45] Her passion for yoga evolved into a yoga training diploma and her entrée into the world of ancient philosophy and principles, which she sought to apply to the law.

[9:40] Her next step was to write a book to introduce lawyers to another way of thinking about the mental health problems afflicting the profession.

[13:22] Virginia has not looked back since transferring out of her legal practice to building her new project, Lawyers for Love.

[14:44] Virginia talks about how we all have unconscious 'rules' we have developed from childhood, often imposed by our family or 'tribe'. Adopting these rules often leads to confusion and inauthenticity. We can free ourselves by consciously recognising the unconscious rules we carry around with us.

[20:16] Virginia talks about her conflict alchemy philosophy - how as lawyers, we can use the conflicts our clients come to us for as catalysts for recognising and addressing their unconscious rules.

[22:30] Virginia discusses the 'shadow' work she does, which applies to individuals as well as society when we ignore or cast blame on things that actually reflect the parts of ourselves or society that trouble us most but we don't want to accept. Integrating the shadow parts of ourselves validates the self and promotes healing.

[27:32] Conflict and war arise from an inability to accept another perspective. Our current legal system punishes perspectives whereas a loving system honours different perspectives and seeks to teach.

[30:21] We talk about the modern type of shamanism that Virginia practises in helping lawyers identify their unconscious rules.

[34:55] Lawyers for Love is beta-testing a new platform for lawyers that will allow them to take the ideas and practices into their own legal practice.

[36:12] Virginia tells me that the highest court in Australia has discussed the organic connection Indigenous people have to the land, which is a promises first step to recognising the inter-connectedness of all things.

For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

John Chisholm - The billable-hour model is, frankly, just dumb! | S1 E5

Mon, 24 May 2021 05:00:00 +1000

John Chisholm is a lawyer and value pricing expert and an advocate for professional firms to depart from the traditional firm model which prices solely on time. A former Managing Partner and Chief Executive of two leading Australian law firms, he compellingly runs through the many arguments for a move away from the billable-hour model - satisfied clients, more enduring client relationships, a collaborative culture, a more sustainable model, healthier lawyers, greater retention of talent, more robust financial position, increased trust and relevance in the business and wider community, and the list goes on.

Show notes:

[02:14] John describes his journey from law firm Managing Partner to consultant, which he 'fell into' at first. We talk about the challenges of being an outsider advising law firm Partners.
[08:04] John remembers his 'a-ha' moment when he encountered value-based pricing, after hearing the late Paul O'Byrne talk about it.
[12:04] The legal profession is stagnant on client-friendly pricing models, while the rest of the world innovates.
[15:19] Billable-hour pricing leads to a production mentality, which demeans lawyers.
[17:39] The private profession is losing good people, especially women, who will vote with their feet away from an outdated model that damages wellbeing.
[20:32] As John says, clients don't even buy lawyers' time, which is an input. They buy outputs, outcomes and value. And they want certainty.
[21:55] John answers my question on how law firms can move to a new model, away from the billable hour.
[26:56] Removing the billable-hour as a basis for charging clients can also mean a different way of measuring and rewarding lawyers' performance, from individual- to team-based metrics.
[28:20] More advantages of value-pricing include how it increases cash-flow and releases management and Partner time previously spent on billing disputes.
[30:50] John challenges in-house counsel to participate in the push for law firms to innovate in pricing. Law firms also need more courage to lead.
[34:48] John touches on the loss of trust the profession is facing due to our inability to adapt.
[35:01] John predicts that global law firms will develop or merge into consulting firms which will see a business model shift.
[36:22] John is moving his expertise into the subscription-model of pricing, an exciting new idea that already exists in many items we consume, and helps deliver more options and build stronger client communities for lawyers.

For more on this episode, visit: www.newearthlawyer.com/john-chisholm

Marguerite Picard - Bringing a human touch to legal family disputes | S1 E3

Mon, 17 May 2021 07:00:00 +1000

Marguerite Picard is a collaborative family lawyer who thinks about divorce and all kinds of interpersonal disputes as problems best resolved by building common ground, rather than letting ‘law’ drive people further apart. She talks about her human-centred approach, how she looks for answers beyond the law and works with a team of psychologists, financial planners and other non-lawyers to bring a human touch to divorce and family disputes.

Marguerite is a director of MELCA, which is a one-stop-collaborative-divorce-shop. MELCA is a thought leader in all things divorce and interdisciplinary practice. MELCA's documentary ‘Family is Family’ in which a number of wise souls speak about the many benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to divorce, sums up her approach. MELCA has won many awards and accolades and as of 2021 has offices in Brisbane and Sydney in addition to its Melbourne office.

Marguerite co-wrote, "Breaking Up Without Breaking Down", which talks about how a constructive approach to divorce pays dividends for everyone in a family.

Marguerite's second business is Smart Separation. It was set up to give people a ‘diagnosis’, an action plan, referrals and some of the wisdom of her long years in practice.

Show notes:

[02:17] Marguerite talks about discovering collaborative practice and realising she could work with non-legal experts to deliver a better result for clients from traditional litigation.

[05:09] We talk about law and relationships. Law touches everything including relationships but lawyers claim territory in the realm of interpersonal relationships which we aren't trained for.

[07:54] Collaborative law promotes deep, actual resolution.

[10:25] We discuss MELCA's excellent documentary 'Family is Family' and how collaborative divorce law dramatically improves outcomes for children.

[16:35] Lawyers can lead in the kind of innovation which improves things like access to justice, using our experience as a guide to what serves clients better.

[19:11] Marguerite explains how mediation as it is currently practised often does not offer clients solutions that allow them to express their views, as it is often driven by trying to meet two positions in the centre.

[24:56] Marguerite gives us insight into how coming from a large family gave her an appreciation for resolving conflict in a way that serves justice.

[30:50] Marguerite talks about how important it is to believe in your instincts and make bold change.

[35:27] The pandemic has given us the opportunity to see that change is possible.

[36:48] Marguerite's exciting new project is a 4-part documentary series that will reinvent the whole idea of separation from a human-centred design perspective.

For more on this episode, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

J Kim Wright - Now is the time to design the new legal system | S1 E1

Fri, 07 May 2021 22:00:00 +1000

J Kim Wright is a genuine legal trailblazer. For over 2 decades, she has been an advocate for systems change in the law. She particularly focuses on a set of values and models called Integrative Law.

From the early 2000s, she has attended dozens of events and conferences and studied a number of innovative legal practices: holistic law, therapeutic jurisprudence, law and creative problem-solving, sacred activism, humanising legal education, plain language, PISLAP, ADR , mediation, collaborative law, restorative justice, non-violent communication, and more. In her work, she decided to pull those silo-ed common themes together.

Thirteen years ago, to focus on her mission she gave up her house and law practice and went on the road. She has built relationships and communities on 6 continents.

Kim has been named by the American Bar Association as a Legal Rebel and has written two bestselling books published by the ABA: Lawyers as Peacemakers: Practicing Holistic, Problem-Solving Law and Lawyers as Changemakers: The Global Integrative Law Movement.

She is a coach & consultant, a leader in Conscious Contracts, a speaker & trainer, a lawyer & mediator, and a specialist in systems change. As an author she has another 2 books due to be published soon: Trauma-Informed Law: A Primer for Lawyers and Lawyers as Designers. She is an educator and adjunct professor and a connector for lawyers all over the world who are changing the paradigm of legal practice.

Show Notes:

[03:56] Kim shares her lightbulb moment when after graduating from law school and discovering that most lawyers were 'jerks', she realised there was another way.

[08:32] Kim explains 'conscious contracts' and their potential to change lawyering across the board.

[16:13] We discuss how the movement of Integrative Law has changed since Kim became part of it.

[23:27] Kim expands on her systems change work and her conclusion that the old legal system is dying and a new system is emerging.

[24:03] As an old system dies, there is a need for 'hospicing' it. One of Kim's new books is on trauma-informed law, - an example of exposing the failings of the old system. We can all be better lawyers by recognising and appreciating trauma in our clients and ourselves.

[26:50] Kim's other new book is about designing the new legal system, finding new ways of interacting and being cross-disciplinary.

[29:25] Lawyers have the gift of analytical skills and training and by adding our humanity to that, we can develop the 'law plus' model.

[30:22] We share about the concept of 'starting where you are', for lawyers who want to change.

[33:39] For lawyers embarking on a transformational journey, finding a coach is valuable, as is a buddy, therapist, mentor or support group. The key is to find someone to help you figure out the path and provide structure.

[36:18] Internal work is how lawyers can get onto the path of change. Lawyers can take a long time to recognise and address internal chaos.

[38:28] Kim considers what about her personality made her a changemaker - being a mother at heart and expressing the mother archetype and wanting to make the world a better place; being not afraid to dream big!

[40:11] Spirituality ('integrity, purpose and joy in action') guides Kim. She is 'on purpose', always realigning and addicted to her joy.

[41:38] Kim reveals why lawyers are really magicians!

[44:32] Kim talks about her next project - teaming up with multi-disciplinary groups to effect systems change.

For resources and links and more on this episode, check out the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website: