Risk on Air

It’s not if, but when! Data and privacy breaches; are you at risk? In this episode Julian Morrow talks with Nitesh Patel, Principal, and Cyber and Technology Specialist at Gilchrist Connell about data breaches and what a law practice can do to protect its confidential information. Transcript: Part 2 in Lawcover’s Cyber Series: Data and Privacy Breaches

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and so must our defences. In this episode Julian Morrow talks with Elissa Baxter, Chief Legal Officer at Lawcover about the evolving threat of cyber fraud and the strategies legal practices can adopt to prevent the loss of funds to cyber criminals. Transcript: Part 1 in Lawcover’s Cyber Series: Protect your Legal Practice from Cyber Fraud

When law firms don’t invest in the supervision and growth of their new lawyers it can lead to professional negligence claims and high staff turnover. In this episode Julian Morrow talks with Malcolm Heath, Practice Risk Manager at Lawcover about the critical role of supervision in the legal profession and the striking impact it has on the overall health of a law firm. Transcript: Episode 37:...

What do Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT mean for law practices? In this episode Julian Morrow talks with Schellie-Jayne Price, leader of AI Practice and partner at Stirling & Rose about how these tools are used in legal practice and what you can do to identify and manage the risks. Transcript: Episode 36: AI unplugged

The law in relation to institutional abuse is rapidly evolving. In this episode, Julian Morrow talks with Cath Power, Partner at Wotton + Kearney about the High Court decision in GLJ v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore [2032] HCA 32, what it means for permanent stay applications, and the implications for solicitors acting for parties in institutional abuse matter...

When you’re a new lawyer you are keen to impress and demonstrate your knowledge. In this episode, host Julian Morrow and Susan Hill, Special Counsel at Hones Lawyers, talk about the tendency for new lawyers to stray into ‘lone wolf thinking’, and this podcast will help new lawyers and their supervisors and colleagues to recognise when that is happening and avoid the dangers it poses. Transcript: E...

Interest rate rises, surges in inflation and escalating cost of living. In this episode, host Julian Morrow chats with Malcolm Cameron, National Practice Group Leader at Sparke Helmore about our rapidly changing economy, the impact this has on solicitors and how economic pressures can increase the likelihood of professional negligence claims occurring. Transcript: Episode 33: Solicitors Under Fire...

What situations lead to a personal costs order and how can you limit your exposure? In this episode, host Julian Morrow and Jon Tyne, special counsel with Sparke Helmore, chat about circumstances where personal costs orders may be made against solicitors and share practical steps that can be taken to limit the risks of exposure. Transcript: Episode 32: Getting personal – limiting your exposure to...

With communication issues the leading cause of claims against lawyers, it is important to be aware that not all clients process information in the same way. In this episode, host Julian Morrow and Barrister Ian Duane chat about neurodiversity and the particular challenges of communicating with neurodiverse clients involved in litigation. We provide some practical ways you can improve your awarenes...

Solicitors are subject to strict and ongoing obligations in relation to costs estimates and disclosures. In this episode, host Julian Morrow, co-founder of the Chaser and Giant Dwarf, and host of ABC Radio National’s Sunday Extra, chats with Barrister Michelle Castle about the practicalities of meeting your obligations and explores some key cases on costs. Transcript: Episode 30: Footing the bill...

In this episode, host Julian Morrow chats with Alistair Marshall about the changing legal services market and looks at practical tips for attracting clients to your legal practice. Transcript Transcript: Navigating the New – the Law Practice as a Business Resources Alistair Marshall bio

In this episode, host Julian Morrow co-founder of The Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra chats with Susan Warda, Partner at Mills Oakley Lawyers, and Family Law Accredited Specialist. Additional Resources: Susan Warda bio

In this episode, host Julian Morrow co-founder of the Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra chats with Simone Herbert-Lowe, Director at Law & Cyber, about cybercrime and cyber assisted fraud in legal practice. They discuss the practical steps that can be taken to secure your practice and minimise the impact should a cyber incident occur. Additional Resources: Lawcov...

In this episode, host Julian Morrow co-founder of the Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra chats with Susan Hill, Special Counsel at Hones Lawyers and author of “A New Lawyers Guide to Getting it Right the First Time”, about the risks associated with the delivery of bad news. They examine ways to deliver bad news with empathy while maintaining a focus on th...

In this episode host Julian Morrow co-founder of the Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra chats with Elissa Baxter, Chief Legal Officer at Lawcover about file ownership. We examine recent case law on the ownership of file notes, and the implications for ownership of other documents in solicitors’ files. We provide practical points to reduce risk and prepare you for whe...

In this episode – Host Julian Morrow (co-founder of the Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra) chats with John McKenzie, (Legal Services Commissioner for NSW) about solicitor complaints. They explore the key causes of complaints, how a client relationship can sour, how solicitors can form an appropriate response to a complaint and what you can do to reduce the lik...

In this episode we delve into neuroscience and how it can help us manage our workloads, reduce risk and how maintaining mental fitness can prepare you for life’s biggest challenges. Hosted by Julian Morrow , co-founder of the Chaser, Giant Dwarf and host of ABC National Radio’s Sunday Extra who chats with Rachel Clements, co-founder and Director of Psychological Services at the Centre for Corporat...

Renee Stevens, Legal Risk Manager at Lawcover and Kristy Nunn, Director of Mullane & Lindsay, discuss recent cases and claims highlighting some key risk areas of family law practice, and explore how to manage these risks effectively. All Resources Binding Financial Agreements Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) sections 90G and 90K Rogic v Samaan  [2018] NSWSC 1464 Spouse maintenance Family Law Act 1975...

In this episode, Jack Boyd provides the inside story on how New South Wales law firms have been impacted by cyber-attacks in the last few years.

In this episode, Elissa Baxter, General Counsel at Lawcover and Michaela Moloney, Partner at K&L Gates, discuss sexual harassment in law practices. Resources Respect@work report 2020, Australian Human Rights Commission Richardson v Oracle [2014] FCAFC 82 Vergara v Ewin [2014] FCAFC 100

The aftermath of a claim is a prime opportunity to explore changes to a law practice, particularly issues around employees whose conduct might have contributed to the claim. In this episode, guests Alex Haslam and Sarah Wood discuss systems around good employee supervision and the creation of ethical law firm cultures. They also discuss ways to approach disciplining or dismissing employees whose c...

We discuss the importance of having a risk management strategy for your legal practice. This includes the four essential questions that every legal practice owner should ask in order to reduce general risks and in particular, the risk of claims.

Every client file is different and proper management is key for timely and effective client service and risk mitigation.

When running a legal practice what are your obligations as an employer when it comes to working remotely? We discuss the risks, what is reasonably practicable and how you can minimise the risk to yourself, the legal practice and your employees to ensure a safe and effective work environment for everyone.

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, we look at the unique challenges that solicitors and law practices face as they transition to a remote working environment and evolving work arrangements. What are the potential risk implications for your practice? We discuss how systems, processes, clients and employees are impacted and how you can best minimise the risk of a professional negligence claim duri...