In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing immigration lawyer, Rachael Bosnjak.
Rachael is someone who I’ve gotten to know through this Podcast as a dedicated listener so it is fitting that she is bringing home our last 7 episodes ever!
About a year ago now, right in the midst of the pandemic with international borders closed, Rachael took a giant leap and opened her own law firm, Passage Migration.  Now you might think opening a migration practice at a time when migration was near impossible was a little left of centre but a year down the track and we can now say that Rachael was ahead of the curve, literally!
Rachael’s creativity is the heart of her success in designing and operating her own business- her recent sketches in a workshop we both attended made me jealous!
As I’m starting to wrap up the Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast after 6 wonderful years, this chat with Rachael was fantastic in discussing where the conversation around lawyers finding happiness began all those years ago, compared to where it is now. I had so many moments through this Podcast recording where I was reminded why I started this whole thing – the chance to talk to incredible people across the world that I otherwise would not have met, and all of the incredible listeners out there- Rachael being one of them.
Thank you for this wonderful interview Rachael, and I look forward to seeing the Aston Martin goal come to life!
In this interview, Rachael and I also chatted about –

* If Rachael was not a lawyer she would have been an academic, and she finds joy in seeing someone’s marks improve.
* Memories from her childhood growing up in sunny Brisbane.
* Rachael was 12 when she decided she wanted to become a lawyer, and later attended law school at Griffith University.
* With a mixed heritage of Irish and Croatian, Rachael’s interest in Immigration Law was sparked at University.
* Experience is the best teacher and Rachael’s first few years were spent dabbling in Criminal Law and Personal Injury in addition to Immigration Law.
* Rachael understands why there is such a large rate of graduate lawyer dropouts and shares some of her own experiences.
* Working in Immigration Law and the diverse range of work she put her hand up for.
* After completing an MBA and managing a practice, Rachael briefly left the law to start on her own path.
* Coming across The Club community and finding her love for law again.
* Launching ‘Passage Migration’ on 2021 and the ‘solopreneur’ model.
* The perks of working for herself, in contrast with the challenges of owning a business.
* Being your own boss and, the importance of your financial choices in the early days.
* Rachael gives her tips for living out your values and purpose in business.
* Being vulnerable isn’t a weakness and the value of sharing with like-minded people in law.
* Setting up students for success at University.
* #lawpreneur and Rachel’s perspective on alternative pathways, work structure and culture.
* Rachael’s words of wisdom; ‘Do your own thing and take a different path.’
* Rachael’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Rachael Bosnjak.
There are still a couple more interviews to come before this show comes to an end, but fret not – I am still doing all of the Happy Lawyer things! In true Clarissa style we will be celebrating the end of the Podcast with a party alongside the incredible College of Law, not to mention the upcoming Retreat in November. If you want to stay in the loop, just check out my Instagram @thehappyfamilylawyer.
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In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Kate Christie. Kate is a former lawyer now author, ‘life curator’ and business owner. She is a time-saving superstar who helps high-powered, busy people (particularly women) to curate their time and prioritise sustainably to create their best lives both in and out of law.
Like so many of us, Kate started career in law- climbing corporate ladders and achieving all of the outward signs of a successful legal career.  But add 3 kids, an unrelenting corporate position and Kate found herself burnt out and leaving the career that she had once loved. The irony of course is that by stepping away from life as a lawyer Kate has gone on to build a mini-empire for herself- a successful solo career as a consultant to busy professionals- helping them avoid the traps that she encountered.
Kate also shared her perceptions of #lawland over the past 20 years, especially on the gendered expectations of parenthood that result in women opting out of their legal careers from feelings of guilt, with the underlying expectation that there needs to be a choice. Kate’s advice? You don’t have to choose! You can curate your life and time around the things that matter to you, which is one of the biggest take-aways here for me! Kate’s advice on value prioritising the ‘big rocks’ of your time is a really important shift. If you’re looking at what you value as a first port of call in shaping your life, you’ll always have the time and space for the things and people you love.
This really is such a fascinating discussion, and Kate really exemplifies what this Podcast is about – how life can come full-circle, the pivots and changes we face over time, and how you can always find a way to harness your time to live your best life.
In this interview, Kate and I also chatted about-

* If Kate was not a lawyer she would be a time management specialist or a professional surfer (I may have taken that surfer comment on a few tangents in this interview!).
* Designing and living your best life – how you can curate this early on.
* Putting on your ‘dress of mirrors’ for critics.
* Learning that being less selfless is not the same as being selfish – it’s okay to put yourself first!
* Kate still resides close to her family in Melbourne and how valuable this was during the lockdowns.
* How Kate found her way into law – from journalism to the ‘conveyor belt’ into law.
* Looking back years later and realising that she ended up somewhere completely different, but pivoted and came full-circle in her love for writing.
* While being an in-house lawyer, she became a busy mum of three and had 3 babies in 3.5 years.
* As a new mum, Kate quickly discovered the value of lost time!
* Kate realised she needed to reframe her perception of time, and made the change she needed to by changing her relationship with time.


* Gendered expectations, the sense of failure as a woman in law and the changes we need to see for the next generations.
* Kate is the author of “Me First” and shares the importance of discovering what it is that you most value.
* To discover what we most value (different from our values) as yourself:

* If you were very sick, what would you get out of bed for?
* Think about a person you most respect – if they were to compliment you, what would they say?
* When you are with your Besties, what do you love talking about?


* She then advises us to circle all matching answers to the above questions and build your life around these things.
* Changing our language from ‘failure’ to ‘learning’. It results in growth.
* Kate’s observations of the legal profession as a whole since leaving 20 years ago.

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing family lawyer Joplin Higgins OAM.
Joplin is someone I’ve known through the excellent work she does in the family law space for a while now, so it was such a privilege to be able to sit down and learn more about her story. Joplin really is such a great example of someone who came into law through a fascinating pathway, found her calling, and has created a unique space in #Lawland where she continues to flourish.
While covering what led her to where she is now (Joplin’s rural upbringing, love of jewellery, time in Germany and how coral trout led her into the law), a key piece for me here is Joplin’s observation on the importance of loving people as a lawyer, and our role in creating a great customer service experience. In allowing this love and care for clients to shine, it makes us better – not just as lawyers, but as people too.
This conversation was so much fun, but also a fantastic insight into something many of us experience in law – ending up in a space that was not a part of our initial plan! Joplin is a beautiful example of how life leads us to unexpected places, and how we can make the most of these opportunities to learn, grow, pivot, and find joy.
In this interview, Joplin and I also chatted about-

* If Joplin was not a lawyer she would have been a jewellery designer!
* Managing your mind through creativity.
* The perspective Covid has brought us and Joplin’s realisation of the important things in life.
* Growing up in Emerald country NSW, gave her a passion for regional communities.
* A rotary exchange in Germany resulted in Joplin moving there for 2 years as a nanny.
* Re-locating to Carins in North QLD to be closer to her brother, where she stayed for 12 years while raising a family.
* How a Coral Trout led Joplin to become a lawyer.
* The many different ways people find themselves on the path to law.
* Studying at JCU in Cairns and her first work experience stint, led to a change from criminal to family law.
* After her own divorce, having to make difficult decisions to manage study and a family.
* After her degree, Joplin was finally able to be with her kids and made the move to Wagga Wagga in NSW.
* Making the right decision at the right moment.
* Joplin’s experience in Legal Aid and her recommendation for young lawyers to work here for a stint.
* Moving to the Hunter Valley to buy a farm and start a law firm!
* The evolution, and deconstruction, of Joplin Lawyers
* The care for the client is essential and Joplin discovered that loving people leads to loving the law.
* Reflection brings clarity and, the perspective of balance.
* She has become an advocate for Domestic Violence Abuse and the awards she has won for her work including an Order of Australia Medal.
* Joplin’s advice to young lawyers coming into the industry.
* Joplin’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Joplin Higgins.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   



















Listen to last week’s episode here

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing James Janke and Drew Hamilton.  James and Drew are together the owners and operators of Hamilton Janke, a progressive criminal law practice based in Newcastle.  These two friends started their business a few years ago and I so enjoyed hearing the ‘how and why’ behind that decision.  Partnerships in legal firms were certainly the way of the past, but we don’t see so many of them popping up now and yet here is one that really works.  For James and Drew it is the combination of their shared drive for excellance in their area of law but perhaps more importantly their common belief in the value of life and family.  This  is a fun interview for anyone with an interest in building a firm from the ground up.  These two have done it, successfully, and I can see why having had the chance to enjoy their banter for this hour!  We talked surfing, being a Rock Star and somewhere in there life as a criminal lawyer!  My favourite tip from these two was a reminder that as business owners it is important to give yourself permission to have downtime, without any guilt.
In this interview, James Janke and Drew Hamilton and I also chatted about-

* If James was not a lawyer he would have been a firefighter and Drew would have been a Lawyer or a Rock Star! (yes I did get a little distracted by the Rock Star ideal!)
* The connection between the performing arts and advocacy as a courtroom lawyer.
* James was born in the UK and moved to Newcastle where he completed his studies.
* Drew grew up locally in the Hunter Valley and why he chose the law.
* The value of human connection in law.
* How Drew and James’ paths crossed and the aligned values they shared.
* The beginnings of ‘Hamilton Janke’ in 2016.
* The impact of the pandemic on life in law- the good and the not so good!
* The opportunities of smaller boutique firms and rural local communities.
* The importance of giving yourself permission to have downtime, without guilt.
* Why their business partnership works and how they are able to support each other.
* The challenges of running a legal practice.
* Becoming agile in a traditionally rigid legal system.
* The transfer over to fixed fees and the advantage of this for their clients.
* A couple of criminal law stories- and a kangaroo in court!  Literally!!
* The operation of the criminal justice system during the pandemic.
* The future for ‘Hamilton Janke’
* Their tips for their younger selves going though university.
* James Janke and Drew Hamilton’s Happiness Tips.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with James Janke and Drew Hamilton.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   



















Listen to last week’s episode here

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Hunter Steele.  Now Hunter is a lawyer turned tech company head and one of the creators of the Legal Software Company Smokeball.  So how does a boy from Western NSW find himself at the head of one of the world’s leading legal tech companies?  Well that is what I found out in this chat!
As is the case in so many of these interviews, I was again reminded that our training and skills as lawyers have such broad application if we let them.  For Hunter, it was growing up in his Dad’s regional law firm, seeing the everyday challenges of small business, that kickstarted his interest in legal tech.  That and a wonderful friendship early in his career with another lawyer turned tech guru, Christian Beck.
Hunter’s knowledge and love of legal practice shines through in this conversation.  And I have decided that building legal tech is sort of ‘building’ with virtual lego blocks so it makes so much more sense to me now!  Jokes aside though, Hunter is another great example of using your skills, following your passions and building a career in law that works for you.
In this interview, Hunter and I also chatted about-

* If Hunter was not a lawyer he would have been in the tech space – which is where he is now! 
* Hunter has always been creative and shares how he ended up in the software field, rather than heading into the construction space.
* As a child, Hunter lived in Bathurst and his experience of growing up in a beautiful regional town.
* His time studying law at Bond University.
* Joining the software writers at ‘Leap’ and how this changed the trajectory of his life.
* The beginnings of ‘Leap’ and how the founder, Christian Beck, was well ahead of his time.
* The beginnings of ‘Smokeball’ and how Hunter started this spin-off business with the support of his mentor and.
* Building the culture within a business has brought the most joy to Hunter.
* In the last 2000s, Hunter launched Smokeball into America.
* Hunter’s experience of living in Chicago USA, through Covid and, the political environment in 2021.
* Legal market trends and how verticalization (or niching) is changing in Australia.
* A day in the life of Hunter!
* The legal trend changes, in Australia, and the average law firm’s attitude towards technology.
* The advantage of a fixed-fee and client-centric business model.
* Hunter’s predictions for the future of tech in the law.
* His advice for those looking to shift into technology space and, how these programs can be used to reduce stress.
* Hunter’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Hunter Steele.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   



















Listen to last week’s episode here

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Kass Hall. I met Kass during 2020, not long after she moved up to Brisbane from her home town of Melbourne (right as Covid hit too!). This is a really interesting chat with a very special person, and I think there’s a lot to take from Kass’ story.
Kass is a lawyer, an artist, a teacher, a humanitarian, and an AFL enthusiast. She’s had a diverse background in both her career and her life experience, and has come into the law as a graduate a little later in life after a prior career in teaching. She is passionate about kindness and helping others, being candid in our struggles, and emphasizes the importance of owning your experiences and struggles in order to learn and grow.
Kass takes us through the difficulties in beginning a legal career after having previous vocations, the realities of health struggles and how they can put life on hold, and the ultimate importance of knowing how and when to say, ‘I am not okay’ – which applies to mental health as much as it does to physical health. She has also struggled with her mental and physical health extensively over her lifetime, and has developed a unique resilience and perspective from these challenges.
Ultimately, Kass’ life experience – both in law and outside of it – is a really powerful story for anyone looking to find their place and make their mark on the world. The bottom line of Kass’ story, and the key piece in her finding happiness?
While we can’t control what happens through our lives, what we can control is our responses to these challenges.
In this interview, Kass Hall and I also chatted about –

* If Kass was not a lawyer she would have been a teacher, which she was in her earlier days.
* She is an avid AFL Football fan and grew up in inner-city Melbourne.
* Yelling at a football game always gives Kass an emotional boost and is a great outlet.
* Kass’ parents are both in the police force and she shares some childhood experiences.
* At the young age of 12, Kass was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, which has had a lasting impact on her.
* The risky and long-lasting procedures Kass endured as a child, and having life-changing decisions made on your behalf.
* Kass’ mental health and the impact her illness has had on her life.
* ‘You cannot be physically healthy unless you are mentally healthy.’
* Control in our lives is lacking – all you can control is your reaction.
* Learning to say ‘I’m not okay today’, and Kass’ tips for walking alongside someone dealing with mental health struggles.
* ‘Don’t be afraid to screw up – life goes on.’
* Losing a partner at age 21 and how she coped with this event.
* Getting to the end of her visual arts degree before going into teaching.
* Her four cancer re-occurrences and the miracle surgery.
* Kass wrote a book before her 4th cancer re-occurrence, and how this journey led her to become a legal studies teacher.
* Kass’ passion is to represent young people in a more impactful way.
* The move to Brisbane just before the pandemic hit and her difficulty in finding work.
* Kass’ passion for young people, justice and fariness.
* Kass encourages everyone she meets to seek legal advice of some sort before self-represening.
* Leaving people better than when you found them; ‘It’s not about me – I want to be the one to push others forward.’
* Kass’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Kass Hall.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A co...

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Carolyn Devries.
Carolyn has been someone who has been working in a similar space to me for a long time, and finally getting to sit down and talk with her has been such a pleasure. She is running the first ever privately owned not-for-profit law firm in the family space in Australia, ‘New Way Lawyers’, and she has found a very different way of structuring a law practice!
When we think of innovation in law, the focus is often on legal technology or the financial benefits, and Carolyn’s perspective has been a really refreshing way to reflect on legal innovation with an emphasis on the humans involved. It was quite some time ago that we did this interview, as is the chaos of 2021 for me, but it really was such a poignant discussion. Carolyn is an incredible person who has lived an exceptional life, driven by her values and purpose in every space of her life and career. From a farming property in a small country town in NSW, she has travelled the world and taken time to carve her own path – a path that has led her to ‘New Way Lawyers’.
Carolyn has created a very unique and holistic practice that makes legal help more accessible. ‘New Way Lawyers’ exists to help guide separating families – regardless of financial situation – through the hardest time of their lives. Not only does Carolyn’s team help legally, but they also give emotional and practical support to their clients too. She has created a unique business that embraces both a legal and not-for-profit framework to create a practice that is both incredibly innovative and deeply empathetic. There is a strong sense of peace and freedom for Carolyn in knowing that she is where she is meant to be – in her family, career, faith, and home in Brisbane.
Carolyn offers us a lot of learnings in regards to finding happiness in the law, and her passion, values, purpose and sense of humour are key pieces in that.
In this interview, Carolyn and I also chatted about-

* If Carolyn was not a lawyer, she would love to review musicals and books! However, ultimately, law is her calling.
* Carolyn’s upbringing and travels – from rural NSW to Northern Canada, Namibia, Kakadu and Nullabor with her husband (and later children!)
* Her pathway to law; decided to study law as she describes herself as being a ‘typical candidate’, however, she hated studying it until she began to work with clients and realised that it could be a pathway to help people.
* Sharing her difficulties in the confronting nature of criminal law, and how this resulted in her closing the door on law for a while.
* After moving to Kakadu, Carolyn became involved in the not-for-profit sector working with First Nation Australians. Through this work, she found a deep passion that led her to her Masters in the management of not-for-profit organisations.
* While in Canada and continuing her Masters, Carolyn’s realisation that while she had ‘closed the door’ on law, it was not locked.
* The puzzle pieces of Carolyn’s experiences, chance meetings and how this brought her to a place of contentment.
* The beginnings of New Way Law Firm – Australia’s first not for profit law firm.
* The moment of fear, and how Carolyn overcame these fears with passion and purpose.
* The team at New Way and the ‘more than people’ attitude of the firm.
* Carolyn explains ‘Social Franchising’ and how her firm works.
* How New Way delivers client care activities outside of the traditional legal sphere, including the weekly ‘Client Care Blog’ and her in-court client support.
* The benefits of moving the measure of success from the cash to the customer.
* The importance in seeing family law as an experience, as opposed to as a service.
* Innovation in law, usually connected to technology,

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Danae Younger.  These days Danae is a Barrister here in Brisbane with a beautifully diverse practice. Her career in law has been a fascinating one- from private practice to stints at the Public Guardian and the Crime and Corruption Commission.  Danae also has a beautiful perspective on life and law and shared lots of great advice, particularly for anyone considering a move to the private Bar.
And while I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion about life in the law, I was so thrilled for the excuse to discuss my other passion in life-Dance!  It turns out that Danae and I have a shared love of all things performing arts and while we are both more connoisseurs than participants these days, Danae threw on her dancing shoes this year and joined the Brisbane Festival in the ‘Common People Dance Eisteddfod’ something that sounds right up my ally!  But for all our chat about dance, Danae’s message is an important one- that when we create space for fun or even a bit of silly in our lives it has a wonderful impact on our wellbeing.
In this interview, Danae and I also chatted about-

* If Danae was not a lawyer she would have been an editor as her passion for writing has always been a part of her life.
* The performing arts and the joy that this creative outlet brings to so many in the law.
* The thrill and anxiety of performing and the advantage of this skill set in law.
* Danae was born and bred in Brisbane and shares her traditional path into the law.
* The reason Danae chose the law, as well as her time in journalism and the performing arts.
* Not everything you do needs to lead to something – there is value in passions outside of the law.
* Her time as an Article Clerk and the practice areas she enjoyed.
* Working as a paralegal for an insurance firm and how she makes connections in this field.
* Business services, wills and estates vs criminal law.
* The value of a mentor and how they are able to drive your passion.
* The importance of speaking up, which led Danae to her preferred path of Criminal Law.
* Working for the Government was a way to receive a more flexible work arrangement.
* Danne’s time challenging investigative powers and testing to ensure due diligence.
* Danae’s decision to join the Private Bar and her experience of the Bar Course.
* Her time as a public guardian and what is involved in this work.
* Life as a woman in the bar – the pros and cons.
* Danae pushes herself to build her skills and communication.
* Women connections and the briefing policy at the Bar.
* As a barrister, Danae enjoys the flexibility and balance in life this work brings.
* The Common People Dance Eisteddfod and the connections she has made with others who ’embrace the silly.’
* Finding joy in activities outside the law and the role of laughter on your happiness.
* Danae’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Danae Younger.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   



















Listen to last week’s episode here

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Alex Sinatra.  I think Alex best described her role(s) now when she said she has a ‘portfolio career’.  My take on this descriptor is that Alex has brought together her unique knowledge and experience to build a career in law that has many aspects but is a perfect fit for her.
At the time I recorded this interview with Alex we were both in the midst of following our world leading athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and it made for a fascinating conversation as Alex has both a personal background as a competitive gymnast but also now works in the sports law space.  That coupled with her biological connection to Frank Sinatra had me so intrigued during this chat.
Each day in Alex’s work life is different and this is how she likes it.  She is a true example of building a career that brings together your passions, interests and talents which has at the heart of it happiness- all the things you know I love!
In this interview, Alex and I also chatted about-

* If Alex was not a lawyer she would have been an actress or a model.
* Alex grew up in the United States and currently resides in Texas. She came from a multi-cultural background and yes – is related to the famous Sinatra family!
* Many Alex’s family members are in the medical field and she discusses her expectations of COVID in the next few years.
* Originally, Alex set out to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and completed 2 years of pre-med.
* After deciding medicine was not for her, she made the switch to law and business.
* Alex always had goals to combine sport into a career and shares why this was so important for her.
* Alex shares how student-athletes were unable to profit from their name, image and likeness, and her involvement in changing these regulations.
* The world of social media and the profits that can now feely be made by athletes.
* The NCAA and Alex’s passion for becoming an Advocate for Athletes.
* The world of Gymnastics and the pressure athletes are under both domestically and abroad.
* Alex shares her perspective on the parallels between sport and our work as lawyers.
* Mental Health and recognising we, as lawyers and individuals are important as well.
* The TLAP program and the ability to check-in anonymously on a colleague if concerned for their mental health.
* The eye-opening moment of working in Family Law, her experience working in this area and her motivation to change direction.
* Alex’s first experience in sports law and her growth in leadership and management.
* Working on USA today writing for the NFL and how she intentionally curated her career over many years.
* Pivoting during the pandemic and the beginnings of ‘Your Potential For Everything’.
* Alex has taken her practice of law and coupled it with her passion for sports and says, ‘the puzzle has now fallen into place.’
* The value of networking and how to prove you are a good investment.
* Alex encourages us to follow our path and stay in our own lane.
* As lawyers, we are taught perfection or failure and dealing with those expectations.
* She says ‘Have that faith in yourself. Recognise that it will not be easy, but if you’re doing what you want to do it will be enjoyable.’
* Contentment balanced with striving for more without comparison.
* Alex’s Happiness Tip. 

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Alex Sinatra
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outsi...

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Dore. Nick is someone who I have learnt a lot from, particularly in the past 12 months. I wanted to bring in Nick this week, as it is mental health week here in Australia and Nick  has a whole lot of helpful things to say about this topic.  From his own lived experience to a very successful and equally demanding career in the law, Nick’s perspective on the importance of sharing our narratives, seeking help and looking after each other makes him the perfect guest for this important week.
Nick is a criminal lawyer who helped to create Fisher Dore, a renowned Law Firm, here in sunny Brisbane. Brisbane is where Nick has been based for the majority of his life (despite his best efforts to escape to the Caribbean!). Outside of being a successful criminal lawyer, Nick is a very down-to-earth person with a strong sense of humour and a great deal of love for his wife and kids. Something that both Nick and I hold very close to our hearts is mental health awareness, and one of the main pieces we discuss here is the personal and professional changes – both positive and negative – that have occurred in the past year since Covid emerged in this space.
At the end of the day, while someone who has spent most of his life dedicated to building up his firm, Nick has put a lot of emphasis on being a human first, and a lawyer second. While ‘being human’ is a flexible term here (for Nick it means taking the kids to swimming, going to Sizzler and playing Call of Duty), the bottom line of being yourself and knowing when to ask for help is something that is vitally important. Nick’s sense of humour and candidness in tackling these tough discussions is something that I think we could all learn from going forward.
In this interview, Nick and I also chatted about-

* If Nick was not a lawyer, he would have continued to run a video store, which was his full-time job in university.
* Nick’s experience at both Griffith and UQ studying law and film, and shares his experience of University in the late 90s.
* Nick’s wife Marie – how they met, and how their careers have aligned.
* His early experience of working in Woodridge in Criminal and Personal Injury law.
* Working as an Articled Clerk and the different types of matters he dealt with.
* The emotional resilience which is required to maintain a passion for Criminal Law.
* Nick shares the beginnings of Fisher Dore in April 2006 and the start-up experience.
* The award-winning culture of Fisher and Dore and gender balance in the law.
* How Nick manages the mental impact of the pandemic on his staff.
* The creative flow has resulted from the pandemic within legal aid.
* The loss of Judge Guy Andrew in 2020 and, this impact on Nick as a close personal friend.
* Nick’s personal experience in seeing a psychologist, and how this introspection has helped him learn and grow as a person.
* The stigma and fear attached to discussions of mental illness, death and suicide in our community, and the importance of being candid about struggles and grief in order to help ourselves and others into the future.
* Nick’s tips for balancing your workload and your personal health in law to create sustainability and longevity for your legal career.
* Time lost, and the lifestyle shift Nick has experienced over the past year.
* Managing client and staff expectations, and Nicks practical tips for time management.
* The future (and some past stories) of Fisher Dore.
* The value of networking and showing interest in people as human beings.
* Nick’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Nick Dore and this week I am including some important phone numbers for the wonderful services that are available for you or...

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing one great lawyer and now the founder of ‘Simple Courage,’ Heather Hubbard. Heather and I have been connected with one another online for years, as we are working on very similar things despite being across the world from one another. She is someone who inspires me a lot, especially with her work in the space of finding courage and joy.
Heather has spent her life on a mission to speak out and change the world for the better. From her childhood in a small, conservative town in Kentucky, she has been determined to achieve her dreams and prove wrong anyone who told her otherwise. Heather has practiced in law firms of all sizes, and found a specialty in holistic strategy and advice. She is the founder of ‘All Rise’ and more recently, ‘Simple Courage’, both of which are businesses with a focus on helping people achieve their goals.
What makes Heather so special is her ability to see the bottom line of what stops us from reaching these goals; fear. ‘Simple Courage’ was founded to hone in on this aspect, and help people to discover themselves and give us the courage to reach (and surpass) our ambitions. A piece that I particularly love that Heather focuses on is her belief in finding moments of play, joy and mindfulness in our lives.
This podcast may seem a little left of field, as Heather is, in her words, an ‘inactive’ attorney – but I think her focus on fear, courage and play is incredibly poignant and relevant to lawyers at all stages of their lives and careers. There is a lot of power in Simple Courage.
In this interview, Heather and I also chatted about-

* The importance of certainty for our wellbeing and we discuss the impact of the pandemic this past year.
* If Heather was not a lawyer, she would have been doing what she is now – an online business where she is a speaker.
* Women in the law who have taken their skills to the next level.
* The beauty of social media and the sense of belonging that is achievable in this space.
* Heather grew up as a small-town girl in Kentucky where she knew, early on, that she wanted to challenge societal norms.
* Her time at Vanderbilt Law School and her path into law.
* Heather’s goal was to work in Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law and she shares her ‘hustle; approach.
* ‘Fancy law-firm America’ and the overwork culture.
* Heather’s reasoning for leaving the law to follow her dreams to become a leader and speaker.
* The initial version of ‘Simple Courage’ and her learnings from this time.
* Giving yourself permission to have fun.
* Problem-solving and the experimental part of pivoting in business.
* The beginner mindset or the curious mindset and the value of questioning your life.
* The beginnings of Simple Courage and the evolution to a holistic approach.
* When an idea pulls at your heart you need to listen.
* The worry around failure and Heather’s tips for overcoming this fear.
* Courage is an act so, get uncomfortable because courage is contagious.
* Our assumptions of roles and expectations – these are the root of our beliefs.
* Authenticity and the law can go hand in hand if we have the confidence to do so.
* Heather’s perspective on the legal identity and how we can step out in a different way.
* Outside of work, Heather is creative and shares the value of creativity in the law.
* Heather gives us the discount code HappyLawyer for her Discovery Program.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Heather Hubbard.
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In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast,’ I had the pleasure of interviewing solicitor Kristal Naividi.
Kristal is someone who I hadn’t had the opportunity to properly chat to prior to recording together, and really embodies what is so special about this podcast. Kristal’s sense of humour, kindness, resilience and ability to focus on the bigger picture are things that have really stood out for me – as well as her spectacular ability to embrace the chaos life brings!
Kristal has not followed a conventional path to law. In fact, her first experiences with the legal system came as a part of growing up in public housing across the road from the Long Bay Jail in Eastern Sydney! While her journey into law was non-linear, Kristal now runs her own firm – Coastal Lawyers – and is doing her Masters. In fact, Kristal was drawn to criminal law and family law as her lived experience growing up has given her a lot of insight into how people end up where they are. As a result, she can provide an unusual level of empathy and perspective for her clients.
Beginning as a legal secretary after seeing studying law at university as unattainable, Kristal has since become a qualified lawyer, worked for 12 years with the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) in difficult, varied cases across NSW. However, in 2020, she started finding the build-up of vicarious trauma harder to leave at work – so Kristal decided she wanted to start something new. Kristal started her law firm ‘Coastal Lawyers’ last year, 6 weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown hit – with three boys under 6 at home! Despite this, Kristal has continued to grow her business, run around with her boys, and work in a space that lets her passion for hearing the stories of others really shine.
Kristal’s superpower is her ability to view speed-bumps in life as learning experiences, and to see the bright side of life in even the most difficult cases. Her story is a great reminder to be kind, to listen, to ride the wave, and to remember that even in the toughest days in #lawland, the sun will rise the next day.
In this interview, Kristal and I also chatted about-

* Kristal’s lockdown tips – lower your expectations, prioritize, and keep your routine!
* Kindness is not weakness.
* What would Kristal be in an alternate life? A singer or a psychologist!
* Growing up and living on the Central Coast, how her upbringing shaped her career.
* Her non-linear path into law.
* Benefits and difficulties in working for the DDP.
* Her start-up business journey through Covid.
* A day in the life; Kristal’s tips for lawyering as a mum.
* Clients, and knowing when to say no!
* The importance of teams and communities.
* Non-lawyer life – the chaos of a house of boys, and how this helped her law firm!
* Stressors in life and law, and how she manages these.
* Mental health issues and the law, and the impact this has.
* Her influences in law, and where she’d like to be in 10 years.
* The benefits of having her own firm – flexibility, and what works best for her priorities.
* Kristal’s thoughts on family law, and the differences between family and criminal law.
* Her ‘magic wand’ wishes, and her favourite guilty pleasure TV show.
* Kristal’s happiness tip!

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Kristal Naividi.
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Adair Donaldson.
This episode has been a long time in the making!
I have known Adair for a few years, and he is someone that I have a lot of respect for both professionally and personally. Adair is someone who takes responsibility and ethical duty very seriously and is incredibly passionate and dedicated to his work. Adair has dedicated his career to helping people, and in helping make a lasting difference – to individuals and to the legal system – through his role as a lawyer and as an educator.
Adair’s practice, Donaldson Law, specialises in advocating for victims of sexual abuse. What makes Donaldson Law so special is its focus is not just the traditional route of legal assistance. Adair has created Donaldson Law as a practice that takes a far more holistic, understanding and healing approach to their clients. He focuses on the human factor; the trust in listening to and sharing stories, and being able to assure clients that their stories are heard, believed, and going to be shared to make a difference.
Adair’s passion, dedication and determination in law is a great example of what law can offer – to both practitioners and clients – in creating and sustaining a better world.
In this interview, Adair and I also chatted about-

* Adair’s calling to become a lawyer (and his inspiration, Atticus Finch!)
* Mentors and the importance of educating the younger generation.
* The 4 A’s of Abuse for survivors – Acknowledgement, Apology, Assurance and Assistance.
* Adair’s background and lasting roots in regional Queensland.
* His work with Shine Lawyers, and his decision to create a different way of doing the law.
* The beginnings of Donaldson Law in 2016, and the value of working with his wife.
* The decision to start the national office in Sydney before opening in Toowoomba.
* Grinders, minders, finders and cupcakes!
* Increasing exposure for Violence Against Women, and what steps need to take place for long-term change.
* Defining sexual harassment and giving others the strength to speak out.
* Making a difference in sports for the next generation and Sport Integrity Australia.
* Adair’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Adair Donaldson.
***









Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   



















Listen to last week’s episode here