Mallesons Podcasts

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of child trauma and suicide.   Every year in Australia, hundreds of thousands of concerns are raised about children's safety. In this episode, host Clem Johnson sits down with Dr. Katrina Lines, CEO of Act for Kids, and Emma Costello, Partner at Mallesons, to explore how organisations and law firms can go beyond funding to drive real change f...

Hosts: Rod Smythe, Jonathan Grant and Lizzie Knight  Summary: In this episode, Mallesons partners Rod, Jonathan and Lizzie discuss the current state of the energy M&A market, including deal trends, activity drivers and the regulatory overlay.  Key topics discussed:  mid-market processes becoming exclusive much earlier the sophisticated mechanisms being used to allocate risk between buyers and...

What does it take to implement AI responsibly? In this episode of AI Now , host Bryony Evans is joined by Fernando Mourão, Head of Responsible AI at SEEK, alongside Mallesons partner Michael Swinson. Hear lessons from a leading organisation that has been building since 2019, including how to move beyond compliance-driven approaches and put people first in AI transformation. Key topics Moving beyon...

In this episode of Power Perspectives , we discuss the evolving dynamics of Australia’s gas market across the east and west coasts. With gas playing a critical role in the energy transition—supporting renewables, ensuring system reliability, and underpinning export revenues—our panel explores key market developments, policy, pricing trends, and investment drivers shaping the sector. Key topics:  E...

The obligation to act efficiently, honestly and fairly is increasingly shaping ASIC enforcement strategy. In this episode, host Nathan Hodge is joined by dispute resolution partners Amanda Engels and Damian Lovell to discuss how recent cases are expanding the obligation and what this means for financial institutions. Key topics discussed How ASIC is using efficiently, honestly and fairly in enforc...

AI Now is back with Part 2 on AI’s impact for the workforce, and this time we hear about the widespread use and risks of AI‑driven performance and monitoring tools, Australia’s first AI-specific workplace safety laws, and why governance - particularly at board level following the Star decision – is a live issue.  Employment law expert Cilla Robinson joins co-hosts Cheng Lim and Bryony Evans to tal...

In this episode, Peter Yeldham and Travis Toemoe examine, at an aggregate level, recent insurance coverage decisions for the Insurance Pocketbook 2026 .  Their analysis reflects what the data reveals about insurance litigation trends and outcomes.  Key topics discussed: Where insurance coverage disputes are being litigated Who is winning those disputes Which sectors and policies dominate the litig...

We turn to one of the most live issues for organisations right now: AI and the workforce. Employment law expert Cilla Robinson joins AI Now co-hosts Cheng Lim and Bryony Evans to unpack what clients are dealing with right now.  Key topics discussed in this episode : Why AI risk is often about work redesign, not mass job losses How algorithms are changing performance, monitoring and decision‑making...

Hosts: Rob Smythe and Vishal Ahuja  Summary: In this episode of Power Perspectives – ‘Offshore Wind in the Inland Sea’ - KWM partners Rod Smythe and Vishal Ahuja examine the proposed mega-scale Inland renewable energy zone in far western New South Wales and its potential role in the energy transition. They also discuss why Australia’s offshore wind ambitions are becoming less likely, facing rising...

Duration: 7.31 Hosts: Peter Yeldham, King & Wood Mallesons and James Breese, Stewarts Law In this episode of the KWM Podcast, Disputes Partner Peter Yeldham is joined by James Breese, a Partner at Stewarts, for a comparative discussion on common interest privilege and how it operates across Australia and England.   Key topics discussed: The difference between common interest privilege and join...

Duration: 10:14 Hosts: Josh Thorneycroft and Craig Rogers Summary: In this episode of Power Perspectives, KWM Energy Partners Craig Rogers and Josh Thorneycroft discuss the drivers behind the shift were seeing in capital deployment in renewables and the increased use of capital partnering.   In this episode they discuss:  How these funding models create value for both sides for investors and devel...

AI developments are moving fast. In the first episode of our AI Now series, Cheng Lim and Bryony Evans break down Australia’s National AI Plan - what’s changing, what’s not and what it means for business. Key topics discussed The three pillars of the National AI Plan: infrastructure, sharing benefits and safety No new standalone AI laws - existing regulation still applies Workplace consultation an...

King & Wood Mallesons’ annual Class Actions in Australia report tracks the latest data and trends in Australia’s evolving litigation landscape.  In this episode, Partners Suzy Madar and Peta Stevenson dive into a sector that has been a focal point or some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile class actions: health. In this episode they discuss:  How technical, scientific expert evidence...

This episode examines the regulatory and governance developments shaping investment platforms, and the Shield and First Guardian failures. Partners Nathan Hodge and Stephen Jaggers discuss the evolution of IDPS and superannuation platforms, key structural differences, and the emerging regulatory expectations influencing how these products are designed, governed and monitored. Key topics discussed...

Crypto is moving into a more structured regulatory environment across global markets. In this episode, host Nathan Hodge is joined by Urszula McCormack and Cindy Shek to discuss the fundamentals of digital assets, the rise of spot ETFs and other fund structures, and the maturing regulatory frameworks developing in Hong Kong, the US and Australia. Key topics discussed How crypto is defined and used...

King & Wood Mallesons’ annual Class Actions in Australia report charts the latest record-breaking trends in Australia’s evolving litigation landscape.  In this episode, Partners Michael Swinson and Peta Stevenson breakdown how privacy class actions are changing in Australia. In this episode they discuss:  The rise of privacy class actions How the Privacy Act reforms are paving the way to new c...

This episode dives into the intersection of business, law, community, and society, focusing on complex mental health in the workplace. Special guest Rachel Green brings her lived experience and leadership perspective as CEO of SANE Australia, one of the nation’s leading mental health advocacy organizations. Key Topics Discussed: Rachel’s career highlights and motivations, including the impact of b...

In this episode of the It’s Public podcast, Daniel Natale sits down with David Friedlander, Jennifer Cheung and Rob Kelly to discuss the landmark $14 billion Brickworks–Soul Patts merger - a deal that ended more than half a century of cross-ownership. The conversation explores how the parties found valuation common ground in a scrip-for-scrip transaction, and how capital markets stepped up to supp...

Duration: 27 minutes Presenters: Meredith Paynter (Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions) Rhys Casey (Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions) Lizzie Knight (Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions Jason Watts (Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions) Overview: The authors of the KWM Directions 2025 Report, Meredith Paynter, Rhys Casey, Lizzie Knight and Jason Watts, delve into the latest findings on what is ‘top of mi...

King & Wood Mallesons’ annual Class Actions in Australia report has become a defining source of insight into Australia’s evolving litigation landscape.  In this episode, Partners Moira Saville and Peta Stevenson unpack the major findings from the 2024/25 Review, exploring the record numbers, landmark judgments and emerging risks shaping class action activity nationwide. In this episode they di...

Hosts: Tim Sumner, Adam Black Duration: 18.25 Summary: In this episode of Power Perspectives, KWM Energy partners Tim Sumner and Adam Black delve into the recently released Queensland Energy Roadmap. They explore what this roadmap means for the Queensland energy market and the opportunities it presents for clients and stakeholders. Key Topics Discussed: Overview of the Queensland Energy Roadmap: U...

In this episode of Power Perspectives , KWM’s Energy Partners Rod Smythe , Vishal Ahuja and Shirley Cheng unpack Australia’s newly proposed 2035 climate targets and what they mean for the energy sector.  Drawing on insights from a recent KWM Energy Insight Series event featuring Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority, and Nevenka Codevelle, CEO of ASL, the discussion explores the practic...

Hosts: Nicola Yeomans (Mallesons Partner & Co-Head of Private Capital) and Will Heath (Mallesons Partner) Duration: [16:38] Summary: Asian capital is increasingly shaping Australia’s biggest deals. In this episode of Mallesons' View from Asia, Nicola Yeomans and Will Heath share insights from the AFR Asia Summit — exploring inbound investment trends, key sectors and the regulatory landsca...

In this episode of the NEXT KWM Responsible Business Podcast, hosts Clem Johnson and Dan Creasey explore how businesses can lead meaningful, lasting change by learning from nature and embracing adaptive networks. Joined by special guests Sarah Downey (CEO, Shared Value Project Australia and New Zealand) and Leith Sharp (Director, Executive Education in Sustainability Leadership, Harvard University...

Hosts: Rod Smythe, Shirley Cheng, Vishal Ahuja Duration: 16.35 Summary:  In this episode of Power Perspectives, KWM’s Rod Smythe, Shirley Cheng, and Vishal Ahuja break down the Nelson Review, a major government-backed initiative set to drive investment in firmed renewables and storage on Australia’s East Coast. The team explores the Review’s headline reforms and what they mean for investors, devel...