Many professional services providers feel uneasy about asking existing clients for work. Here, we unpack the practical ways lawyers can become more comfortable making such requests, without being pushy about it.

In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Prodonovich Advisory principal Sue-Ella Prodonovich about the need for lawyers to continue building their book, why selling may not come naturally to them, how urgent a priority it is to get more comfortable with asking for work, and tapping into one's ability to listen.

Prodonovich also runs through seven ways lawyers can feel more comfortable asking for work, without being pushy about it, adapting their mindset to be better at selling, and the need for lawyers to remember to play the long game.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, produced by Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, Defence Connect, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the immediate aftermath of the US–Israeli strikes against Iran and the ramifications for Australia.

The trio lays the foundation for a mini-series of focused podcast conversations over the coming weeks to address the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Australia and the Australian public. Topics covered by the trio included:

• The impact on social cohesion and the rise of foreign interference in Australia's diaspora communities.
• Australia's declining industrial sovereignty and the impact of contested, frayed and interrupted supply chains.
• The economic impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and Australia's cost-of-living crisis and the fuel security challenges Australia faces.
• The impact on Australia's key economic pillars and the connective tissue of logistic supply chains.
• Cyber security, disinformation and proxy activity in Australia.
• Migration and the challenges facing Australia's diaspora communities.
• Questions relating to Australia's geographic isolation and the psychology behind our "Tyranny of Distance" and the impact on Australia's security posture.
• Questions relating to what kind of "Middle Power" Australia wants to be.

Moving across the world for a semester of law is no small decision, but one student's journey proves the leap is worth it, highlighting the professional, personal, and career-defining benefits that await those who take the plunge.

In a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Grace Robbie speaks with Daphne Fong, a recent law graduate from UNSW and a graduate lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons, about the ins and outs of her recent European exchange, reflects on the professional skills she developed from learning in a global classroom, shares the personal growth she experienced from stepping outside her comfort zone, and delves into the invaluable experience of collaborating with law students from across the world.

Fong also highlights how the experience has positioned her strongly for the next stage of her legal career, offers a roadmap for law students hoping to follow a similar path, outlines the practical steps needed to turn the idea of an international exchange into a reality, and encourages students who may be unsure about studying abroad to take the leap and embrace the experience.

LawUno, a new platform to connect legal professionals and students, employers, and vendors, is launching this week, in conjunction with Lawyers Weekly's 30 Under 30 Awards. Here, the platform's founder discusses its importance in an ever-shifting professional services marketplace.

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with LawUno, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with LawUno founder Jessal (Jesse) Shah about the platform's support for Lawyers Weekly's 30 Under 30 Awards, the issues facing younger practitioners, what LawUno is and why it's being launched, and the importance of network and connection.

Shah also delves into the market challenges that LawUno looks to address, how practitioners and employers alike will benefit from using the platform, the expansion plans for LawUno, crafting one's own journey in law, how the profession has responded to the pending launch already, and his message to all finalists and winners of this year's 30 Under 30 Awards.

To learn more about LawUno, click here.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

The decision by the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran has had significant flow-on consequences – not just geopolitically and economically, but also legally and contractually, for businesses whose cargo sails through the Strait of Hormuz. It is thus incumbent upon shipping lawyers like Alison Cusack to not just support clients through the ongoing conflict but also address misinformation that has run rampant since last weekend.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Cusack & Co founder and principal Alison Cusack to discuss the state of affairs for shipping since the US-Israel-Iran conflict began just under a week ago, the misconceptions floating around, the significance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the ramifications of it shutting down.

Cusack also delves into the conversations she's been having with clients to steer them through the conflict, what optimal client service delivery looks like against the backdrop of a potential "forever war", how she's managing herself personally, lessons she's learnt from previous shipping crises and how to apply those lessons now, and the importance of offering the right support in such consequential times.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

After the first year or two of trading, there is much for SME firm owners to reflect on – and not just business wins, losses, and lessons. For James d'Apice, this process has involved everything from staying true to his personal and professional vision, pursuing passion projects, supporting the local community, and planning for expansion.

In this episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Gravamen founder and principal James d'Apice to discuss his headline takeaways from the first two years of running his own firm, the mistakes he's made and learnt from, what the past two years have taught him about himself as a practitioner and business owner, and why staying true to his vision is so essential.

d'Apice also delves into the apparent death of the long lunch and what that might mean for business owners in law, the importance of pursuing passion projects to reinvigorate one's practice, how he's looking to grow the firm moving forward, and what he's looking forward to in the future.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In this special episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, produced in partnership with Commonwealth Private, we unpack what 2025 taught us about the investment landscape and how legal practitioners can interpret the market this year and into the future.

Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Commonwealth Private and Wealth chief investment officer James Foot about his headline takeaways from the market in 2025, the strength of returns for investors, behaviours and ongoing expectations, and what the next five to 10 years could look like.

Foot also delves into how and why AI adoption has been highest in professional services, whether AI is a threat or opportunity, the future of US exceptionalism, the need for diversification and having a holistic perspective on the market, the role of alternatives in an investor's journey, and what lawyers should know about the year ahead.

To learn more about Commonwealth Private, click here.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au

In the past year, multiple appeals pertaining to trademark proceedings made their way to the High Court, speaking to the volume and complexity of developments in this area of law.

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Halfords IP partner Aparna Watal to discuss her non-traditional path into practising IP law, why 2025 was such a busy year for trademark lawyers, how and why IP lawyers more broadly are being impersonated for scams, and why the High Court is receptive to hearing IP matters in the current climate.

Watal also delves into the impact of ongoing challenges for IP lawyers like herself, the trends she's keeping a close eye on in 2026 and beyond, how best such lawyers can better serve clients moving forward, and what's exciting about legal work in this space right now.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au