Criminal Defence, Resilience, and Law as a Second Career with Emma Moss

Criminal law is a "very human business." For barrister Emma Moss, it is the space where she stands as the "thin line" between the power of the state and an individual’s liberty. But Emma’s path to the bar wasn't a straight line. It was a journey of pivots, from psychology and HR to returning to law school as a mature student and parent.

In this episode of The Law and Beyond Show, host Chantal McNaught sits down with Emma to explore the expanding legal universe through the lens of criminal defence and legal aid. They dive deep into the emotional weight of the work, the resource imbalances in our justice system, and the vital importance of building a sustainable career through community and "give back."

Emma shares her "win or learn" philosophy, offering raw and practical advice for anyone navigating a non-traditional legal path or struggling to balance empathy with the risk of burnout.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Non-Linear Path: Pivoting from early setbacks to a successful second career in law.
• The Reality of Legal Aid: Standing up for access to justice despite significant resource gaps.
• The Empathy Trap: How to "care just enough" to be effective without burning out.
• Resilience & Self-Care: Moving away from destructive coping mechanisms toward community-based support.
• Breaking Barriers: Why mentoring and "owning your space" are essential for the next generation of lawyers.
• The Tech Mismatch: Emma’s take on the "New Age of Sexism" in AI and why the law is struggling to catch up.

About Our Guest:
Emma Moss is a criminal defence barrister based in New Zealand. A passionate advocate for access to justice, she serves on community law boards and the Law Association’s Next Gen committee, dedicated to breaking down barriers for mature students and diverse practitioners entering the law.

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