I recently caught up with Simon Morrison, Managing Director of Shine Lawyers, for a proper behind the scenes chat about what it’s like to spend 38 years inside one firm and still be hungry for what’s next. Simon and I both come from Toowoomba and went to St Mary’s, so there’s a shared thread running through the conversation, but the real story is how a small local practice became one of the biggest names in the country.

Simon takes us back to 1988 when he joined Shine and the firm was tiny, doing mostly conveyancing, and then walks through the moments that changed everything. We talk about the late 1990s push interstate, why they made the call, what they learned the hard way, and how Shine grew into a national firm known for personal injury and class actions. It’s a candid look at growth that wasn’t always neat, but was always deliberate.

We also get into the bigger swings, including Shine’s move onto the ASX and what it’s like running a listed law firm with the scoreboard ticking over every day. Simon shares why he’s now spending serious time building Shine’s international presence, particularly in the United States and New Zealand, and what’s driving that ambition. If you’re interested in leadership, long game career decisions, and how big firms actually expand, you’ll get a lot out of this one.

Guest Links:

https://www.shine.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morrison-087434/

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In this episode of The Resolution Room, I sit down with Julie Somerville, a former solicitor turned mediator who has built a national reputation for her trauma-informed approach. Julie has been recognised in the New South Wales market, listed in Doyles for the last five years, and named Mediator of the Year (Australian ADR Awards) in 2022. We talk about why trauma-informed practice matters in civil claims, and what it looks like when a mediator is deliberately designing the process to support better decision-making.

Julie shares what drew her into mediation, including her experience in defendant practice and the shift she saw in the post Royal Commission environment. We discuss the kinds of matters she mediates now, including sensitive and highly emotional claims such as historical abuse, birth trauma, nervous shock, catastrophic events, and compensation to relatives claims. We also explore why traditional, lawyer-driven approaches can fall short in these settings, and what lawyers on both sides can do to better support their clients through the process.

We then unpack the practical tools and mindset behind trauma-informed mediation. Julie explains trauma at a high level, how it can show up in the room, and why it can affect a person’s ability to process advice and make decisions. She also shares examples of how small, thoughtful process choices can change the tone and safety of a mediation, and we finish with a candid discussion about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and the self-care systems Julie uses to stay present in demanding work.

Guest Links:

1. R3 Resolution's Website: https://r3resolutions.com.au/
2. Julie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesomerville/
3. Law Society of Scotland Trauma-Informed Justice Modules: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/cpd-training/online-cpd/trauma-informed-training/
4. Legal Society of New South Wales Trauma-Informed Legal Assistance: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-lawyers/professional-development/lawyer-education-series/trauma-informed-legal-assistance
5. What is Trauma-Informed Mediation: https://r3resolutions.com.au/what-is-trauma-informed-mediation-a-practical-explanation-for-lawyers-and-their-clients/

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In this episode, I sit down with Dan Toombs, founder of law firm marketing agency Practice Proof, who took an unorthodox path from his early days at St Mary’s in Toowoomba into law, social justice work and eventually two decades at the forefront of digital strategy for lawyers. Dan understands the legal profession from the inside, which is exactly why his take on marketing feels both practical and grounded.

We talk about what most law firms get wrong about “being different” and why the real goal is being distinctive. Dan unpacks brand salience and the long game of staying top of mind, plus we discuss a standout example from Shine Lawyers and how memorable branding can cut through a crowded market without relying on the usual legal clichés.

We also explore StoryBrand and why positioning the client as the hero matters in professional services, particularly when clients are stressed, time poor and trying to make sense of a complex process. Finally, Dan shares his candid view on how AI is starting to reshape SEO and legal marketing, what is still unclear, and what firms should be paying attention to right now.

Links:

https://www.practiceproof.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketinglawfirms/

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