Sitting down with Lara Wentworth, former lawyer turned coach and founder of Coaching Advocates, was a timely reminder that many in the legal profession spend years occupying a chair that doesn’t quite fit. Lara’s journey from legal practice to coaching is a testament to the value of self-discovery and the courage to carve out a new path. Through Coaching Advocates, she has created a space where lawyers can seek clarity, direction and genuine growth, guided by coaches who have walked the same path and understand the unique challenges of the profession.

Our conversation explores the real difference between mentoring and coaching. While mentoring is often about offering advice, coaching is about facilitating self-reflection and unlocking potential. Lara emphasises the importance of accredited coaching, ensuring that lawyers receive support from those who not only understand the law but are also trained to guide meaningful change. We discussed the perfectionism that is so common among lawyers and how coaching can help address the deep-seated beliefs and behaviours that hold people back, fostering resilience and a healthier approach to both career and life.

What resonated most was the growing recognition that well-being and professional success go hand in hand. Lara’s work, including her podcast The Speed Coach, is helping to demystify coaching for lawyers and encourage the profession to embrace new ways of working and thinking. In a legal world where career paths are no longer linear, finding your own chair and having the right support to do so has never been more important. If you are feeling out of place in your current role, perhaps it is time to consider what coaching could unlock for you.

Links:

https://www.larawentworth.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-wentworth-265864b5/

https://coachingadvocates.com/legal-career-accelerator/

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I recently sat down with Shannon Fentiman, Former Queensland Attorney-General, Queensland’s Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Women and Member for Waterford since 2015. Shannon’s journey from employment lawyer and community advocate to holding some of the state’s most significant ministerial portfolios is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. Raised on the Gold Coast and deeply committed to social justice, Shannon has always called Queensland home. Her early influences, a family of strong women and a pioneering aunt in the legal field, set her on a path to fight discrimination and unfairness, both in the workplace and the wider community.

Shannon’s legal background, with degrees from QUT and the University of Melbourne, provided a strong foundation for her political career. Before entering Parliament, she worked as an employment lawyer and volunteered with organisations such as the Centre Against Sexual Violence and the Centre for Women in Logan. Her ministerial experience is extensive, having served as Attorney General, Minister for Child Safety, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Small Business, Employment and Training and Health. Throughout, Shannon has been at the forefront of major reforms, including the Women’s Safety and Justice Task Force and voluntary assisted dying legislation. She spoke candidly about how her legal training sharpened her negotiation skills and ability to navigate the emotional and practical complexities of policy reform. Empathy, she noted, is central to her leadership, an approach shaped by her years of community work and her commitment to visibility and compassion in public life.

Now serving in opposition, Shannon reflected on the transition from government to holding government to account. While the pace may be different, she’s found space for reflection, critical thinking and personal renewal, balancing family time and personal pursuits with her ongoing passion for policy and reform. Our conversation was a powerful reminder of the impact empathetic, principled leadership can have on both legal and political landscapes and left me inspired by Shannon’s clarity of purpose and optimism for the future.

Links:

https://www.shannonfentiman.com/

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As my second Christmas as a mediator approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting on the lessons and surprises this role has brought. Transitioning from lawyer to mediator has required new skills, a different mindset and a willingness to keep learning. Today I’m sharing some of my key reflections so far.

The most striking realisation has been that mediation is its own discipline, distinct from legal practice. Even after years of acting as an advocate in mediations, stepping into the mediator’s chair revealed how much dedicated training and feedback matter. Building trust and rapport is at the heart of the process. Credibility helps but it’s the relationships formed with lawyers and clients, often during those quieter moments, that make the work meaningful and productive. Patience and optimism are indispensable, especially when negotiations stall or doubts creep in. I’ve learned that maintaining a positive, solution-focused mindset can keep everyone moving forward, even when energy in the room is flagging.

Emotional intelligence sits at the core of effective mediation and recognising the emotional currents that run beneath the surface is essential. It’s about helping participants acknowledge these feelings of fear, frustration and uncertainty without letting them derail the process. Preparation is also vital, though it looks different from advocacy. Mediators must know the issues and the people but also remain flexible and ready to adapt as dynamics shift.

Three common mistakes I see in approaching negotiations include insufficient preparation, an over-formal approach that misses the more collaborative tone of mediation and treating negotiation as a mere platform for argument rather than a process of mutual discovery. I’m grateful to the legal community for the encouragement and support during this career transition and I look forward to more opportunities to learn and collaborate in the coming year. Wishing everyone a restful Christmas and a positive start to the new year.

Links:

Website | LinkedIn | YouTube