New Earth lawyer: Recent Episodes
Geraldine Johns-Putra (Geraldine Grace)
Blanca Leon is a UK based lawyer who offers legal consulting support on commercial matters and solutions, combining purpose and values with plain language drafting and visual design to create clear, collaborative and human centric legal documents.
In January 2021, after nearly 10 years, she left a corporate in-house role to explore a holistic approach to practising law.
In this episode, we talk about how Blanca came to her decision and made the leap from corporate to purpose-driven, and what her experience has been thus far.
Show notes:
[2:13] Blanca relates how her involvement in the Conscious Contracts® course helped her develop her vision, mission and values.
[6:46] Blanca describes some of the tools she used to learn what her values were.
[9:40] In starting her purpose-driven legal practice, Blanca's vision and mission became clearer.
[14:15] Blanca reflects on how she evolved from an inhouse paralegal , to an in-house counsel, to where she is now and how she was driven by one of her values - curiosity.
[24:37] Blanca talks about what her purpose-driven legal practice looks like, who her clients are, and how she is creating it - including how she is expressing herself authentically so the 'right' people find her.
[30:22] In discovering her purpose, and aligning with it, Blanca has also had insight into how to apply her unique gifts to her work.
[34:55] Blanca offers her advice to anyone seeking to take the leap into a purpose-driven legal path.
For more please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Sylvia Clute is the founder of a revolutionary model of criminal justice, know as unitive justice. A former trial attorney, she has devoted her life to justice – but unlike many she has truly reflected on the meaning of this word - justice.
For Sylvia, there are two fundamental models of justice, one grounded in fear that seeks retribution and revenge and one grounded in love that seeks healing and transformation--what she calls "Unitive Justice”.
In this episode, Sylvia shares her vision and the work she does in not just formulating the model but bringing it to life.
Show notes
[1:45] Sylvia relates how she transformed from being a trial attorney who 'went for the jugular' to the founder of a kinder, more loving and healing model of justice with no punitive elements.
[7:30] Through remaining actively practising as a trial attorney, Sylvia built up her model of unitive justice. She identified non-punitive counterparts to correspond to the 14 punitive elements she found in traditional justice models.
[11:35] We need new language to discuss unitive justice because we lack even the words to describe the different concepts it represents.
[17:20] Sylvia relates how she came across 'circle processes', which she sought to take into a public housing project. This introduced her to two convicted felons who had themselves discovered the power of unitive justice concepts via a method they called 'radical tenderness'..
[24:26] With Paul Taylor and Weldon 'Prince' Bunn, Sylvia has co-created a programme called Unity Prison Culture Change which they are piloting in prisons and eventually will take to the community.
[28:07] We discuss the empowerment that unitive justice gives to victims, when we understand that many victims go on to become offenders, and then can use their experiences to be 'credible messengers of change'
[35:43] Sylvia talks about the work she is doing in education, with troubled schools. arming teachers with tools to engender culture change.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this series, two lawyers come together to explore what it could look like if the law as we know it shifted toward a more unified Law of One in our near future.
In this fifth episode, our two Lawyers, Virginia Robin and Geraldine Johns-Putra discuss climate change and whether the 'enemy' is climate change.
Virginia, co-founder of Lawyers for Love, defies labels but is best recognised as being a lawyer, modern shaman, author and TEDx’er. Lawyers for Love offers a unique yet radically alternative dispute resolution platform that supports the discovery of our authentic selves, by using existing conflict as a catalyst to do so.
Geraldine is a practicing lawyer with her own firm specialising in governance, the impact economy and business & human rights. Her New Earth lawyer podcast features conversations with lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Virginia believes that by replacing our existing legal system with a platform that is more compassionate and validating and most of all, directed by the more highly conscious state of love, we will create a more optimal society.
Geraldine advises clients who are currently engaged in positive transformation of their own businesses, the wider economy, the environment and communities. She sees a world already changing for the better and the law and lawyers adapting in the right direction.
Show notes
[0:49] Although climate change originates from people's concern and compassion for the planet, it results in divisive and polarised debate.
[5:47] We can leverage expanding environmental awareness to focus away from minimising carbon towards a broader focus on regeneration.
[9:50] Mass consumerism and extractive thinking to fill spiritual emptiness contributes to environmental degradation.
[10:57] Using legal compliance as a way to force companies to demonstrate their environmental and social credentials via ESG regulations encourages separational thinking rather than a unified effort towards healing the planet.
[14:22] Additionally, compliance driven thinking leads to greenwashing., which is fear-based thinking.
[17:11] Unfortunately, our media's focus on climate change has led to climate hysteria and an increase in depression and anxiety especially among young people,
[18:30] Centring in love and peace and having compassion for other's choices rather than fighting is more effective as a spiritual tool to achieve any aim.
[22:39] If we regard ourselves as cells of a body, then we each have our unique role to play and express ourselves which will result in equilibrium and optimal health of our home.
[30:52] By being more unified and loving, we will also create space for inspired ideas to blossom that will lead to better and cleaner technologies, including clean energy, that will help protect our planet.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
We can use laws to nurture our common humanity or create divisions between us.
Intellectual property laws offer us a fine example of how we can unite, rather than separate.
Ariadni Athanassiadis is a Canadian intellectual property and contracts legal professional practising to support solopreneurs, creatives and small business. Her passion has always been to creatively empower others. Her wisdom path as a professional nomad has guided her to appreciate how our joyful expression in relationship with one another can bring about creative harmonics and generative outcomes for communities
In this show, we delve into Ariadni's reimagined IP paradigm, which is a much more effective and productive approach to nurturing the wellspring of creativity that lies in each of us, for the collective good.
Show notes
[2:17] Ariadni describes her vision of intellectual property laws which honour the creativity of our Source essence and empowers the flow of that wellspring of creativity through us.
[11:22] Ariadni explains how she deals with notions of fear, scarcity and protection through her unique method which blends coaching and legal advice.
[19:37] How Ariadni's vision can be maintained even by large corporations dealing with IP as opposed to solopreneurs and smaller enterprises.
[27:16] A beautiful retelling from Ariadni of how she shaped her vision of a new approach to IP laws, taking in Indigenous approaches and her own Greek heritage.
[39:14] Ariadni has practical advice for lawyers looking to practise IP law differently - get out into the community and learn from your clients!
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this ten part series, two lawyers come together to explore what it could look like if the law as we know it shifted toward a more unified Law of One in our near future.
In this fourth episode, our two Lawyers, Virginia Robin and Geraldine Johns-Putra contrast the punitive based criminal law system with the unifying premises found in the Law of One.
Virginia, co-founder of Lawyers for Love, defies labels but is best recognised as being a lawyer, modern shaman, author and TEDx’er. Lawyers for Love offers a unique, alternate dispute resolution platform that supports the discovery of our authentic selves, by using existing conflict as a catalyst to do so.
Geraldine is a practicing lawyer with her own firm specialising in governance, the impact economy and business & human rights. Her New Earth lawyer podcast features conversations with lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Virginia believes that by replacing our existing legal system with one that is more compassionate and validating and most of all, directed by the more highly conscious state of love, we will create a more optimal society.
Geraldine advises clients who are currently engaged in positive transformation of their own businesses, the wider economy, the environment and communities. She sees a world already changing for the better and the law and lawyers adapting in the right direction
Show notes
- [0:01] Virginia reflects on how our criminal law systems embody separation, judgment and enforcement of rules, instead of love and understanding.
- [6:01] In a transition towards unity consciousness, criminal law needs urgent reform. It addresses how we deal with free will but could do so in a fairer and wiser way.
- [10:38] We can start by taking a holistic approach and collective responsibility for crimes, as some Indigenous groups do.
- [13:29] Criminal law currently separates the individual by pitting the machinery of the State against him or her.. Restorative justice is an example of redressing this imbalance.
- [17:12] Trauma-informed law is another reform that extends compassion to those who commit and are affected by crimes.
- [21:22] A reformed criminal law system that aligns with the Law of One would encourage a multi-dimensional approach from lawyers.
- [26:48] Privatised correctional facilities also encourages an industry of creating criminals and recividists,
- [29:44] In stigmatising crime, our current system punishes and separates,
- [34:27] Criminalising social issues, like drugs and abortion, removes the opportunity to examine why we have created those issues as a collective.
- [41:32] The opportunity to examine why a criminal incident has been created extends to the victim. A restorative justice or truth and reconciliation path helps victims to be heard, but there is a deeper healing for victims to be supported to understand why they co-created the incident in the first place.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Chuck Menahem Kanafi is a values-based, purpose driven lawyer. He specialises in conflict prevention and management and contracts.
He is a Certified Mediator and brings an intentional and mindful approach to mediation. He is a Certified Conscious Contracts® practitioner and trainer.
We discuss his insights into new ways of addressing conflicts in mediation and through Conscious Contracting® as well as his plans to assist impactful businesses through more compassionate contracts.
Show notes
[2:17] Chuck describes how transformative mediation works to deliver better solutions than traditional dispute settlement.
[8:00] Chuck relates how he came to mindful meditation and his inclusion of mindfulness practices including meditation and Vipassana yoga.
[14:09] We drill into how legal representatives can help or hinder transformative mediation. and how best for lawyers to train for this approach.
[20:03] Chuck shares about his journey to becoming interested in Conscious Contracts® which started with Brexit.
[27:48] Chuck explains how Conscious Contracts® help prevent conflicts, and how traditional lawyers react to them, in his experience.
[33:07] Chuck's latest plans are to assist conscious businesses, such as B-Corps and social enterprises, to integrate Conscious Contracts® into their operations, so they don't omit their conscious approach from their legal frameworks.
To learn more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this ten part series, two lawyers come together to explore what it could look like if the law as we know it shifted toward a more unified Law of One in our near future.
In this third episode, our two Lawyers, Virginia Robin and Geraldine Johns-Putra consider approaching our engagement with money from an energetic perspective, and its relationship with our current systems.
Virginia, co-founder of Lawyers for Love, defies labels but is best recognised as being a lawyer, modern shaman, author and TEDx’er. Lawyers for Love offers a unique yet radically alternative dispute resolution platform that supports the discovery of our authentic selves, by using existing conflict as a catalyst to do so.
Geraldine is a practicing lawyer with her own firm specialising in governance, the impact economy and business & human rights. Her New Earth lawyer podcast features conversations with lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Virginia believes that by replacing our existing legal system with a platform that is more compassionate and validating and most of all, directed by the more highly conscious state of love, we will create a more optimal society.
Geraldine advises clients who are currently engaged in positive transformation of their own businesses, the wider economy, the environment and communities. She sees a world already changing for the better and the law and lawyers adapting in the right direction.
Show notes
[0:01] We share our individual stories of our relationship to money, from our childhoods and through adulthood. Almost everyone has a strong energetic attachment to money.
[9:26] Collectively, we are taking the next step by working through our fear-based associations with money. We are learning to see money as energy.
[18:43] The mainstream messaging around money challenges us, so we would do well to switch off from external messaging and focus on our own personal value.
[22:31] We have fears around having enough money for the future and as a collective it keeps us stagnant and prevents money from being consciously invested in meaningful projects.
[27:58] Philanthropy often comes with strings attached - if we have excess money to give away we should do so out of love and with intent.
[33:12] The value of money should incorporate a love-based element, such as the impact it has on the planet and people, This would extend to investment returns.
[41:09] A systemic change is underway as young people switch to impact investing and wish to earn their money from working for companies that care.
[48:58] A reflection of the awakening is that people are beginning to think about how the things they buy have real repercussions on others such as workers in the supply chain and the planet.
To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Nigel Clark is the CEO of nexa law, an innovative and fast-growing UK-based law business.
He is an international lawyer and an expert in New Law business models. He has had a curiosity about legal business structures for many years and managed cross-border legal services businesses in cities from London and Beijing for a large international law firm.
Nigel most recently co-founded and managed Peregrine Law in London which was acquired by nexa law in January 2020.
In this episode, I pick Nigel's brains on New Law structures and learn more about what nexa law offers - especially how it promotes choice and collegiality.
Show notes
[2:27] Nigel describes how he came to develop the nexa law model with his initial business partner as a back-office platform and connector for lawyers.
[6:33] Nigel talks about the difference between rainmakers and technicians, and how the nexa law model tries to meet the needs of both while growing its business platform.
[9:14] Nigel explains the New Law market and some of the different models and drivers.
[14:03] Connex, the nexa law combined practice offering, balances the rainmakers with technicians.
[17:13] A huge advantage of nexa is choice - choice for lawyers and choice for consumers of legal services from City to High Street.
[21:01] nexa lawyers work in teams and as individuals - Nigel explains how. COVID and innovations in precedent development has accelerated alternative law models.
[26:54] We talk culture, collaboration and collegiality - alll strengths of nexa.
[29:47] Alternative models like nexa also promote diversity - from gender to age to career paths.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this ten part series, two lawyers come together to explore what it could look like if the law as we know it shifted toward a more unified Law of One in our near future.
In the second episode, our two Lawyers, Virginia Warren and Geraldine Johns-Putra reflect on the family dynamic and how the Law of One would approach disputes concerning close family members.
Speakers:
Virginia, co-founder of Lawyers for Love, defies labels but is best recognised as being a lawyer, modern shaman, author and TEDx’er. Lawyers for Love offers a unique, alternate dispute resolution platform that supports the discovery of our authentic selves, by using existing conflict as a catalyst to do so.
Geraldine is a practicing lawyer with her own firm specialising in governance, the impact economy and business & human rights.
Her New Earth lawyer podcast features conversations with lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Virginia believes that by replacing our existing legal system with one that is more compassionate and validating and most of all, directed by the more highly conscious state of love, we will create a more optimal society.
Geraldine advises clients who are currently engaged in positive transformation of their own businesses, the wider economy, the environment and communities. She sees a world already changing for the better and the law and lawyers adapting in the right direction.
Maureen Ngozi Obi-Ezekpazu is a barrister with her own chambers in London, England.
Her life story shines with love, courage and service. She is no mystic, guru, or sage. She is a practising lawyer who happens to function with higher awareness of her connection to spirit and lives and breathes it in all her dealings.
She experienced a harrowing childhood of under-privilege, prejudice and abuse growing up in 1960s England as a child of Nigerian migrants. She overcame all of it and today is a successful civil rights lawyer.
Maureen offers holistic legal services to professional and lay clients in the law relating to children and families. She offers services in advice and advocacy, mediation and training workshops. She provides advice directly to the public through the Public Direct access scheme operated by the UK Bar Council.
Her story is bound to amaze and inspire but, as she says herself, everyone has to find their own path and contribute their own unique gifts to the whole.
Show notes
[2:30] Maureen's shares her early years as a child of Nigerian migrants in England, and her experiences of being placed in foster care at 6 weeks old.
[5:06] Maureen returned to her mother at age 5, after her father departed for Nigeria for mental health reasons.
[8:34] Maureen's experiences as an intelligent and gifted child taught her the world insisted on conformance and passed judgment easily.
[13:00] How Maureen first encountered her natural affinity for law at secondary school.
[15:46] Maureen spread her knowledge into business and learned about the incredible power some people have over others.
[17:57] Maureen began work in a law office, but not as a lawyer - her journey to that was just beginning.
[22:34] Maureen applies for the Access to Law course - an unconventional route to law practice which exposed her to social justice and civil rights issues in a remarkable way.
[26:08] Qualifying as a solicitor, Maureen embarks on 18 years of dealing with clients in a heart-centred way.
[34:01] Maureen fulfils her dream of becoming a barrister and secures a place with a prestigious civil rights barristers' chambers.
[37:14] Maureen establishes her own chambers and truly sets about on her mission to be God's instrument in her work.
[40:27] Maureen's work is to help bring about the end of a need for lawyers, as humanity becomes self-governing.
[43:20] Maureen shares her wisdom around learning to honour one's uniqueness and to preserve all of life and nature.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this ten-part series, two lawyers come together to explore what it could look like if the law as we know it shifted toward a more unified Law of One in our near future.
In our first episode, our two Lawyers, Virginia Warren and Geraldine Johns-Putra will introduce the idea of the Law of One and discuss its potential place in society juxtaposed the Rule of Law.
Speakers:
Virginia, co-founder of Lawyers for Love, defies labels but is best recognised as being a lawyer, modern shaman, author and TEDx’er. Lawyers for Love offers a unique, alternate dispute resolution platform that supports the discovery of our authentic selves, by using existing conflict as a catalyst to do so.
Geraldine is a practicing lawyer with her own firm specialising in governance, the impact economy and business & human rights. Her New Earth lawyer podcast features conversations with lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Virginia believes that by replacing our existing legal system with one that is more compassionate and validating and most of all, directed by the more highly conscious state of love, we will create a more optimal society.
Geraldine advises clients who are currently engaged in positive transformation of their own businesses, the wider economy, the environment and communities. She sees a world already changing for the better and the law and lawyers adapting in the right direction.
Show Notes:
[5:46] Virginia discusses her view of the alternative legal platform based on love and Law of One and how the Rule of Law prevents that.
[12:20] Geraldine's observation is that Rule of Law can be aligned to Law of One while providing equality and certainty but requires a higher consciousness.
[18:07] We discuss how Rule of Law applies to inter-personal conflicts, like family law disputes, and can be punitive.
[27:11] How can we move to a system where people live in love rather than punish them for breaking rules.
[36:38] Currently, laws that are created and applied without due process are not aligned to the Rule of Law or the Law of One.
[41:21] To achieve a better approach to law, we ourselves have to live in oneness and model this to others. The Law of One requires us to recognise there is no us vs them, it is all One.
[50:18] From a place of oneness within, we recognise our power and truth, and honour everyone else's power and truth.
For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
Emily Knowles is a trained lawyer who practises as an organisational psychologist.
One of her favourite perspectives is the interplay between organisational psychology and spirituality.
We talk about how the world of work is transforming for everyone. Emily provides helpful tools from the world of organisational psychology to help us navigate our work-lives, deal with the enormous changes in the why, where, how, and when we work, and be more impactful as lawyers.
Emily is a Psychologist, Consultant & Researcher at the Human Link in Melbourne, Australia and National Convener of the Buddhism and Psychology Interest Group of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Show notes
[2:59] Emily dissects the changes in work from 3 perspectives: the work, the worker, and the workplace.
[7:37] We talk about internal and external influences. Emily discusses the 3 things that impact wellbeing: the intrapersonal, the interpersonal and the environment.
[9:13] For Emily, environmental factors for a worker include individual space, shared space and natural environment.
[12:48] Emily talks about transformations affecting why we work, and how and when we work.
[15:27] Emily suggests we think about a to-be list, rather than a to-do list.
[18:46] How can we navigate tension between our organisations and individual workers? For lawyers, Emily has developed what she calls 'practice-area psychology'.
[23:49] Emily mentions Minds Count, a foundation that law firms can sign up to for supporting lawyer wellbeing at work .
[26:42] Practice area psychology allows lawyers to expand their influence beyond themselves to the norms of their legal practice.
[29:12] A practice like yoga can help professionals be more mindful of their bodies, minds and breath and impact how we show up,
[33:09] In our virtual world, Emily reminds us that it's more important than ever to be more than a head in a virtual box!
For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
After 50 podcast episodes, I'm taking a break before returning with a new format in 2022.
I talk about what I've learned from recording 50 podcast episodes - from my guests who are brilliant lawyers doing amazing things in law, to the experience of opening up about myself, my beliefs and vision for a new legal system, to the feedback from everyone who has taken the time to provide it.
Thank you to everyone who listened, watched, downloaded, commented, subscribed, followed and liked these episodes. It's given me much more than I expected and I'm extremely grateful.
Show notes
[1:48] My expectations when I started the podcast in May 2021 were to explore my interest in the development of new legal practices.
[2:40] One benefit was building a great network of like-minded lawyers all over the world and learning what was innovative in legal practice.
[5:23] Practically, I have learned about podcasting - what works and what doesn't.
[7:16] It was important for me to be transparent and authentic about my personal, spiritual beliefs although it was challenging to do that.
[9:30] Those of us who have deeper spiritual beliefs can support others who are speaking up about their own beliefs - it will help make the world a better place.
[12:18] I sum up the simple lessons I learned for anyone who might be thinking of pursuing a similar path.
To learn more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
Katherine Thomas is the CEO of Free Range Lawyers, a collective of people who believe in the power of distributed and remote working to make lives and businesses better. The business connects freelance lawyers who work outside the office with legal service providers looking to flex their resource.
In her role, Katherine has her finger on the pulse of a movement to a different working style, as reflected in the Great Resignation. Katherine provides her informed views on the future of remote and independent working.
Show notes
[1:46] Katherine explains what Free Range Lawyers offers to its law firm clients, generally small and medium sized law firms.
[7:02] Katherine details the onboarding process for lawyers.
[10:04] Katherine shares what personality type suits a 'free range' lawyer.
[14:51] A key benefit and quality of a free range lawyer is autonomy, but it can also be a pitfall.
[19:44] Katherine observes that free range lawyers have a powerful ability to align their work with purpose and values, but it can be a journey to realise this.
[22:35] The collective of lawyers and clients at Free Range Lawyers share a philosophy of seeking ways to make work more sustainable.
[26:42] Katherine discusses the trends and factors she has seen in people being attracted to this style of work.
[30:57] Maintaining a network is an important part of making independent work sustainable, and Katherine explains how this happens and how it can be done.
[34:00] Katherine reveals how she came up with the name Free Range Lawyers!
[36:34] Katherine talks about her future plans for the business.
For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer.
As more of us step away from traditional jobs working for an employer, I relate my experiences as an independent worker - working for myself, performing multiple roles, freelancing, participating in the gig economy - however you want to describe it.
For me, this style of working means I get to align with my purpose and create my own routines and networks. The freedom and autonomy outweigh any insecurity that comes with not having a 'regular' job.
Show notes
[0:32] For the past year, I have not worked in a traditional job and instead have a number of different roles.
[4:05] The freedom I have in this style of working is far removed from the master-servant relationship, an archaic legal concept where the employer controls the employee.
[5:50] I have learned to be a self-starter and reliant on myself for marketing, strategising and networking.
[7:06] I have found it important to establish routines and a fixed place where I do all my work in my multiple roles.
[9:02] The alignment between my purpose and my work is absolute now. My work does not even feel like 'work' in the way we are used to thinking about it. I work hard but am not drained.
[10:58] I have created networks of like-minded people to sustain and inspire me.
[13:10] In the future, I predict more of us will work like this, expressing our purpose and our true selves through our work, and contributing to society in this way, instead of being paid to do what someone else tells us to do.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Sarah Dadush is a professor with Rutgers University in the US. She writes and teaches in the areas of business and human rights, consumer law, and social enterprise law.
Sarah is a member of the American Bar Association's project to develop Model Contract Clauses for human rights due diligence for business. We discuss how these clauses adopt a revolutionary approach to contracting, one of shared responsibility and collaboration to achieve meaningful change in human rights including modern slavery.
The ABA's project on Model Contract Clauses for Human Rights Due Diligence can be found here.
Show notes:
[2:17] Sarah explains the background of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section's working group Contractual Clauses Project.
[6:11] I share the Australian experience with contract clauses when our Modern Slavery Act was introduced.
[9:01] Contracts can be used to implement the spirit of legislation intended to improve corporate responsibility.
[13:13] Sarah shares her insight in how contracts are powerful vessels for norms in law and society, because of their flexibility.
[17:56] Contracts can be a way of resetting the transactional nature of relationships, from corporates to government institutions to international agencies.
[20:26] When an entity has a powerful environmental or social purpose, if its contracts are drafted in a transactional way, this can undermine the purpose.
[23:41] Sarah explains how the ABA's Model Contractual Clauses follow a shared responsibility model to address human rights issues.
[27:57] We discuss how the Model Contractual Clauses translate the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights into contractual terms.
[35:45] The Model Contractual Clauses can also be scaled to any company, of any size, in any industry and are entirely customisable.
[41:09] Sarah describes the response the ABA has had to its initiative - which has been positive - from companies, industry associations, international groups like the OECD, and law firms.
For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
We have passed a point now where it's time stop sitting on the fence, stop waiting and stop fighting the old. It's time to use our intent and free will, take action and start creating the New Earth. That's the true choice at this moment.
Show notes
[0:30] I have returned to working on positive things, with clients like not-for-profits, social enterprises and companies seeking to make positive impact.
[3:06] When working on building the new, I am energised and uplifted. When working on fighting things, I am depressed and drained.
[4:56] It's time for all of us awakening, who are being challenged to change things, to start contributing towards building the new, to start using our intention and move towards it.
[7:11] It's time to stop waiting for someone to save us or for something external to change.
[9:19] It's time to stop fighting, because fighting the old reality keeps it in place. By fighting we also maintain separation.
[11:37] We have had enough assistance and enough energy coming through to us - the real choice point we are faced with now is to choose to step into the new and start contributing to it, with all of our essence and resources.
For more details, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
Paul Knowlton is a lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is Of Counsel with a firm called Stanton Law LLC and is a specialist in IP law.
We discuss the book that he has recently co-authored, titled Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics.Show notes:[2:19] Paul explains his family background including his mother's Cuban immigrant roots and why he is not anti-capitalist.
[5:20] The purpose of Better Capitalism is to get upstream and influence the theology and philosophies of business leaders.
[8:35] Paul details some of the book's practical solutions for businesses to move towards a mutuality mindset.
[13:01] The same narrow thinking of maximising profits play out in law firms too.
[15:23] Paul explains tells the story of where the expression 'plantation economics' comes from, as used in the book.
[19:31] Viewing lawyers as 'fungible billing units' undermines the nobility and service element of the profession.
[22:59] Paul discusses how the billable hour model came to be and some practical alternatives.
[30:00] Paul's view is that government must contribute to the solution and be measured by the happiness of the people .
[35:41] Better Capitalism aims to step upstream and find solutions at the root of the problems, which means changing mindsets.
[40:51] The work of changing mindsets has a spiritual and theological element to it.
For more information, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
I discuss the various legal challenges to public health directions that are underway in Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
I also provide some information to clarify the inaccurate claim that the Australian Constitution contains a provision banning mandatory vaccination.
Show notes
[1:10] I discuss the New South Wales cases, involving multiple plaintiffs such as a construction worker, paramedic and teacher, against orders requiring them to be vaccinated to attend work. The trial concluded this week and the court is now preparing its judgment.
[4:10] In Victoria, a teacher and her husband have challenged the public health orders. That case is due for trial on 25 October 2021.
[4:59] The extension of Victorian public health orders from healthcare, aged-care, construction and education to other workers was announced by the Premier but not released as orders yet.
[5:43] In Queensland, 7 police officers have launched a case against the Chief Commissioner of Police.
[6:17] There are claims circulating that mandatory vaccination is unconstitutional in Australia. This is based on a misunderstanding of section 51 (xxiiia) of the Constitution.
[8:12] That section of the Constitution was inserted to allow the Commonwealth government to implement the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
[9:13] The High Court interpreted the section to protect doctors from conscription, not the public.
[10:40] Fear is as bad as divisiveness. We all have a choice and we need to trust we will be able to deal with whatever comes our way.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Jacqueline Horani is a lawyer and the founder of Horani Law, PLLC - the law firm think tank hub for the work she does through her ‘Legally Unconventional’ work.
Show notes
[2:15] Jacqueline discusses her journey from a law student at NYU, learning about the integrative law movement, then going on to join a Legal Aid unit practising impact litigation.
[6:26] Law students are ready for alternative pathways to enter into changemaking areas of practice.
[8:31] Jacqueline details the rampant corruption she witnessed in the New York Housing Court system. all while her father was suffering a terminal illness.
[14:48] Jacqueline realised soon after her father passed away that she had to do different work.
[18:24] In her work, Jacqueline addresses alternatives to BigLaw for law graduates. This includes simplifying the hiring process so more alternative lawyers can hire graduates.
[22:38] Through Legally Unconventional (the brand her law firm works under), Jacqueline advises on law and business consulting, or Conscious Contracts® consulting.
[23:57] Jacqueline describes her Conscious Contracts® practice and how the values approach is not 'soft' but a hard-core critical component of contractual relationships.
[26:49] Conscious Contracts® offers innovative ways to address change in contractual relationships, which do not have to lead to conflicts.
[31:09] I ask Jacqueline what her peers think of the alternative pathway she carved out for herself after leaving law school.
[35:47] We talk about the need to redesign the law school offering, with more focus on clinical experience, mental wellbeing and sustainability.
For more please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
I talk about how the biggest challenge facing us is to seek Unity Consciousness through an increasingly polarised world.
I've been reminded of this on a daily basis in the past week, with opportunities to promote conflict in my life and in my clients' lives appearing constantly. We are being tested to rise above divisiveness and bridge differences.
Show notes
[0:44] I have been reminded in various ways recently how there are constant opportunities to create conflict in our lives and see others as separate from us.
[2:23] Last week, I had an incident occur that disappointed me when people disagreed with my views and I could have used it as an opportunity to promote more disagreement. Instead, I decided to seek common ground with the people I disagree with.
[4:15] The same tests are happening to my clients. People who have a common goal can end up disagreeing and losing sight of the humanity in others.
[5:09] A new client asked me to choose a Unity Consciousness method for her case, and by doing so she reminded me again how it doesn't always have to be about pushing and fighting.
[6:25] Every potential for conflict is also an opportunity to learn lessons, grow, rise above, test our strength and commitment to love and compassion. It reminds us to be humble.
[7:41] Most of all, it's an opportunity to bridge differences and build oneness in the now, to see all of us and all others as one humanity.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Rhiannon Thomas is an attorney, notary, conveyancer and administrator of deceased estates in practice in Cape Town. She is also a values consultant and accredited Conscious Contracts® provider and trainer.
Rhiannon founded Milkwood in 2012 with a mission to bring a more expansive, personal and meaningful approach to Antenuptial Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements and Wills through inter-disciplinary collaboration.
Rhiannon came to this work knowing from an early point in her career that she was different from other lawyers. Her willingness to do things differently led her to develop a compassionate and holistic approach that serves clients meaningfully.
Show notes
[2:25] Rhiannon relates how her decision to do things differently came from a childhood growing up in South Africa and realising that the system of apartheid was essentially a lie accepted by society.
[6:01] After struggling to fit in as a young law student and articled clerk, she shifted to academia and found it was yet another conformist system.
[8:46] From attending an empathy course for health science students, Rhiannon saw that skills of compassion and empathy could be taught, and learned.
[11:23] When two friends with terminal illnesses separately approached Rhiannon to help draft their wills, Rhiannon realised that she wasn't equipped to have difficult conversations around dying and contacted a psychologist.
[15:50] Out of this was borne her new approach and her consultancy, Milkwood. Rhiannon works with mental health professionals and has developed an approach to really get to know her wills clients.
[18:18] Rhiannon has also developed a unique way of working with couples on antenuptial contracts, which involves working with a counsellor to delve into attitudes towards money and relationships.
[24:30] Rhiannon answers my question about what she would have thought as a demoralised law student if she could see the work she is doing now.
[27:06] Rhiannon talks about her introduction to the integrative law movement, where she immediately felt she had found her tribe.
[31:10] Rhiannon says she learns, grows and develops all the time, which is part of being an integrative lawyer.
[32:40] Rhiannon's vision is twofold - to continue to offer services to people that are based on integrative law principles and to inspire other lawyers to start changing their practice to benefit themselves and others.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website;
I explain why the political and media portrayal of Melbourne worker protests as driven by thugs and extremists is contradicted by footage from those who were there. These protests are occurring because people see no other outlet to stand up against infringements of their liberties.
Free and informed consent to medical treatment means no coercion. The introduction of employment mandates is coercion, pure and simple.
I express my support for peaceful protests against infringements of basic human rights. A person who says they support individual liberties and human rights should not be selective about which protests and which human rights they choose to support.
Show notes
[0:28] I explain the lead-up to the workers' protests that occurred in Melbourne, Australia in September 2021.
[3:31] I show footage from the Real Rukshan of the protests in the city and the West Gate Bridge.
[4:46] These are not thugs or extremists, they are ordinary people expressing their objection to the infringement of a basic human right - the right to consent to medical treatment. Free and informed consent, meaning no coercion and full information about the risks.
[6:54] Only one politician in the State of Victoria understands what this is about i.e. basic human rights and free and informed consent. His name is David Limbrick MLC.
[8:12] We cannot be selective about which human rights and which human rights protests we support. The right to protest is in itself a fundamental human right that we should support, regardless of whether we agree with the position of those protesting.
For more. please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
Bernie Hung is a lawyer and the founder and CEO of Blue Box Rocket.
She has a unique approach to serving clients, combining her experience as an IP and technology lawyer, her business acumen from being Asia-Pacific in-house counsel to a top multinational luxury group and her executive coaching skills, backed up by well-regarded courses and certifications.
We talk about how through her work she brings out the best in entrepreneurs and CEOs who are driven to make the world a better place.
Show notes
[1:56] Bernie relates her journey from a lawyer in BigLaw to in-house counsel for Gucci in Asia, a hectic job which saw her managing all legal matters for the design house in multiple jurisdictions.
[6:20] Bernie found herself learning all she could about the business to become a more effective and efficient lawyer.
[8:59] Bernie now practises as an IP lawyer with a Hong Kong law firm but from her London base runs Blue Box Rocket which provides clients with an assimilated legal, business consulting and executive coaching service.
[12:08] Based on her experience as an in-house lawyer, Bernie provides her clients with a more holistic legal service and aims to understand them and their business comprehensively.
[13:57] She began to find that she was dealing with clients, they were opening up to her about their mindset and their businesses.
[17:37] Bernie deals mainly with entrepreneurs and CEOs who are looking to take an idea from a seed to reality or to scale up or expand significantly.
[19:51] Bernie found no-one was combining the services of lawyer, business consultant and executive coach as she was.
[24:36] Bernie considers that a Rebel Lawyer is a lawyer who provides services in an unconventional way. who seeks to understand the client first as a person.
[29:54] Bernie tested her approach with those seeking to serve others, such as those in caring professions or those with innovative products.
[32:28] Bernie's idea is to create a Rebel Lawyer school that will teach her combined approach to other lawyers.
For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
I answer a recent question asked of me - what do I do if I am required to get vaccinated?
I explain the legal considerations around vaccine mandates in Australia: government mandates; employment mandates and conditions for service imposed by businesses.
Show notes:
[1:30] There are no general mandates issued in Australia requiring people to get vaccinated, without conditions.
[1:57] Public health is an issue for State parliaments in our Federal system. At State and Territory level, public health legislation grants broad powers to senior health officials.
[3:08] The Federal Parliament has passed a Biosecurity Act which gives the Federal Health Minister powers to act in a public health emergency.
[4:33] Factors to consider as to the legality of a general mandate requiring vaccines include reasonableness, acting within powers, and constitutionality.
[5:53] When it comes to employment mandates, the main considerations are whether it's an inherent requirement of the job to be vaccinated, or whether it's a lawful and reasonable direction to be vaccinated, and whether the employee has a valid reason to refuse to be vaccinated.
[9:06] There aren't any cases yet to go on that deal with COVID vaccinations although there are a handful of flu vaccination cases that offer guidance as to when dismissal of an employee who refuses to be vaccinated is going to be lawful.
[9:50] Generally speaking, businesses may impose certain terms of service on their customers that may include vaccination. A person might be able to challenge that on the grounds of discrimination and this will depend on the reasonableness of the circumstances of refusal of service.
[11:06] The real choice for us here is how we conduct ourselves in exercising choices and making decisions. Are we acting out of anger and fear, or with courage, trust and love? This particular issue can divide us if we let it when we should be choosing unity.
For more information, please visit the New Earth lawyer website.
Amar Dhall is a true polymath. Over the last 15-years Amar’s career has evolved from being an award-winning university lecturer and obtaining a Ph.D. to exploring the intersection between law and quantum mechanics.
We talk about his research into the deeper, quantum implications of law and his more recent work in supporting lawyers to understand their trauma responses, to make them better lawyers.
Show notes
[1:42] Amar explains his pre-law career in property development and management and what motivated him to study law.
[6:11] While studying law, Amar had a spiritual epiphany and ended up exploring the relationship between the law and quantum mechanics as part of his doctoral thesis in law.
[7:54] Amar theorises that applying quantum principles to law - getting to the essence of the observer and the thing observed - results in better legal reasoning.
[10:20] Keeping in mind the 'meta' issues around law will also lead to lawyers contributing more to society, allowing us to apply the law as the organising principle in society that it was intended to be.
[15:49] Amar faced criticism and bullying in his work. However, his love for law kept him committed to exploring his perspectives and finishing his thesis.
[20:56] Amar and I discuss the personal relationship of a lawyer to the law. Amar brings up the idea of aligning our laws with the laws of nature. Amar's idea is that neo-natural law will develop as we begin to look beyond the materialist paradigm as a species.
[25:16] Amar embarked on a career in therapy to assist lawyers to find more meaning in the way their relate to the law.
[26:54] Lawyers tend to be above average in IQ and below average in EQ, with a trauma response of using achievement to their channel anxiety.
[29:38] Part of Amar's motivation is to help younger cohorts of lawyers to manage their responses to engender an overall healthier legal profession.
[31:50] Amar and I talk about the law as a living sacred thing and how that brings concepts of love into it.
[34:44] Finally, Amar shares with us his work with groups of men in the Mankind Project and the idea of enantiodroma, that moving too far into a polarised concept results in adopting the opposite!
To learn more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I explain what the Nuremberg Code is, its status as an important foundational code of ethics (it is not a law), its application to medical research and experimentation on human beings; and its current relevance.
I also explain the status of the fundamental human right to consent to receive medical treatment, as it applies in Australia.
Show Notes
[1:28] I explain that the Doctors' Trial was one of the Nuremberg Trials that occurred after World War II and was heard before United States Military Tribunal.
[3:42] The Doctors' Trial resulted in the creation of the Nuremberg Code, which is a set of 10 ethical principles that concern human experimentation, so that nobody else would suffer what prisoners of war and civilians did at the hands of Nazi doctors.
[5:40] The Nuremberg Code is a vital human rights document but it is not a law and has not be adopted as a law in any country, in its entirety.
[6:27] The Nuremberg Code sets out ethics for medical experimentation on human beings, and not medical treatment in general.
[7:25] The Nuremberg Code is a historical document. Most ethics committees, doctors and scientists today refer to the Helsinki Declaration, which is updated and reviewed regularly, or in the US, the Common Rule.
[8:34] The principle of voluntary and informed consent which is a key contribution of the Nuremberg Code is a fundamental human right that applies to any form of medical treatment.
[9:20] Full and informed consent is recognised as a human right in Australian human rights legislation in Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. These provisions are based on Art. 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
[11:01] The High Court of Australia has recognised the principle of informed consent to medical treatment in the case of Rogers v Whittaker which imposed a duty on doctors to procure such consent from patients.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
This special episode introduces the integrative law movement.
The New Earth lawyer podcast features lawyers who are changing the practice of law to change the world.
Throughout my podcast, I have interviewed many lawyers who are part of what is known as the integrative law movement.
What is the integrative law movement? It's a global movement of lawyers who are motivated to change the world for the better.
In this video, I'll explain integrative law in more detail, how it came about, and where you can find integrative lawyers.
Show notes:
[0:46] Kim Wright relates how the integrative law movement came about.
[2:28] Integrative lawyers are reflective. Chamundai Curran tells us about how she began reflecting on how her clients were unhappy even when they won their court cases.
[4:09] Integrative lawyers are values and purpose-based. Geraldine Johns-Putra explains how she found her purpose, by identifying her passion.
[5:39] Integrative lawyers are systems and design thinkers. Patrick Andrews began searching for the way to design a better system, as he pondered on why good people become collectively irresponsible and uncaring within the larger system.
[6:34] Integrative lawyers are harbingers of evolutionary consciousness. Idara Bassey enlightens us on her doctorate in metaphysics when she studied the collective energy that manifests in corporations.
[8:40] Integrative lawyers can be found in family law - an example is Marguerite Picard who reflects on how lawyers need to understand their own conflict style and how they might contribute to conflict in interpersonal disputes.
[10:16] Criminal law is another place where integrative lawyers can contribute. Kelly McGrath demonstrates the transformative power of restorative justice works through the story of a murder case with an unexpected outcome.
[12:56] In business law, corporations are undergoing change and integrative lawyers are at the forefront of new structures, as Patrick Andrews exemplifies.
[14:55] Integrative lawyers bring a different approach to legal disputes, often being able to help find resolutions, not just settlements for clients in conflict. Peter Lustig shows us how.
[16:28] Finally, Kim Wright explains how Conscious Contracts® work, by stepping us through the components of this relational values-based method to more effective contracting.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
I discuss Universal laws and how lawyers can align our Earth laws or human-made laws with Universal laws. Many of the lawyers I interview on my podcast are doing just that.
As lawyers, we are learning to practise law so that we align with the Law of Oneness, Law of Correspondence, Law of Vibration, Law of Attraction, Law of Intention, Law of Purpose and many more Universal Laws.
Show notes:[0:29] Universal laws are principles or laws that apply universally. We are multi-dimensional beings awakening to our true selves. We are part of a vast and populated Universe. As we awaken to this, we will need to align our Earth laws to Universal laws.
[4:14] The main Universal law we need to understand is the Law of Oneness. This means our legal system will not need to be punitive, as we will understand that what we do to others, we do unto ourselves.
[7:07] The Universal Law of Correspondence states that as above, so below and as within, so without. We will need to harmonise our laws with Universal laws so that we are in harmony with other timelines and dimensions.
[8:08] We live on a three-dimensional plane where our thoughts and actions have consequences. Therefore, although we should recognise the Law of Non-interference, we need to deal with transgressions of Earth laws.
[10:25] The Law of Attraction, which is related to the Law of Vibration, states that we attract into our lives those things that we vibrate on the same frequency as. The Law of Intention is also related to this, because people can apply their intentions to move into a certain frequency and attract things of that frequency to them.
[12:52] To empower people to move in and out of situations so they can express themselves using the Laws of Attraction and Intention, our laws should deal compassionately with conflicts, whether they be personal or professional. We can have laws that are less rigid around contracts, employment, property and marriage.
[15:29] Laws that give people flexibility will also empower people to pursue their purpose and thus live in accordance with the Law of Purpose or Dharma.
[15:55] Finally, the Law of Perpetual Change which holds that things are constantly changing at a microscopic level requires that our laws are able to change and our law makers serve the collective so that they can be prepared to make changes for the greater good as concepts become obsolete.
For more please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Nicolle Kopping-Pavars is a family lawyer and fertility law expert based in Toronto, Canada. She is also a trained meditation and mindfulness teacher.
We talk about her professional and spiritual journey as she reinvented herself after moving from South Africa to Canada, how she developed her family and fertility law practice and how she is now a guide for her clients as they undergo transformations in their lives and their families.
We touch on the meaning of family, why it's so important to all of us, and how valuing and nurturing family is crucial so we can start to recognise and embrace the entire human race as one family.
Show notes
[1:57] Nicolle relates how she became interested in mindfulness, after finding she and many of her colleagues were unable to achieve 'work-life' balance and were suffering.
[6:18] Nicolle became aware of The Secret and the Law of Attraction, and began her personal self-development journey. However, she needed a more spiritual solution, so began training in Buddhist meditation.
[8:59] According to Nicolle, mindfulness stills the mind and gives us power over our responses so we can create more responsibly.
[11:12] In 2020, Nicolle rebranded her law practice to focus on transformation. She brings her whole self, her interest in crystals, oracle cards and spirituality in general, into her dealings with clients.
[16:17] Being herself allows her to move past imposter syndrome and be authentic and unashamed of herself.
[17:46] Nicolle is clear about choosing the clients whom she acts for. Having requalified as a lawyer in Canada after moving from South Africa, she promised herself she would be true to herself.
[21:37] Nicolle had always been interested in surrogacy and relates her personal experience being asked to act as a surrogate. From there, she was motivated to help as many families as possible to deal with fertility issues and start families of their own.
[27:59] We talk about the importance of family and why protecting the family as a unit is important for humans. It preserves community and helps children feel safe and at home wherever they are.
[32:32] As Nicolle says, divorce doesn't have to mean the end of family and children can feel like they have multiple homes.
[35:55] Nicolle discusses her plans for continuing to advocate for mental wellness for lawyers.
For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
I talk about how important it is that we exercise our democratic rights right now to the furthest extent that we can and in a loving and peaceful manner. This will assert our sovereignty and autonomy to ourselves and the external world and impact events energetically.
This means voting wisely, writing to our lawmakers to express ourselves, signing petitions, protesting and getting involved in the political process ourselves.
In the longer term, to ensure we never give away our rights again, we should insist that our Parliamentarians swear an oath or affirm to serve the people and vote as their conscience demands not on party lines, implement people-initiated referenda, and consider a direct election of our head of government.
Show notes:
[0:31] At this time, it is important for us to start standing up for ourselves and the way we want to be governed as we are moving into a time of learning to be autonomous and self-governing.
[1:33] Above all else, we must conduct ourselves in the frequency of love, peace, unity and non-violence and move away from fear and divisiveness.
[2:53] Limiting our democratic involvement to voting every few years means that we allow our elected representatives to act in ways which don't serve us.
[4:01] In the short term, we need to exercise our democratic rights as much as we can and in the long term, think about how we can improve the current system of government.
[4:34] First, we need to educate ourselves on our rights within the current system of government. Then we need to leverage the current system as much as possible.
[6:15] We need to know who our elected representatives are at Federal and State level and what laws they are responsible for passing.
[9:34] When we are clear on who our elected representatives are, we should express our opinions to them whenever we believe strongly in an issue. Energetically, this act of asserting our right to sovereignty and autonomy has an impact on ourselves and the external world.
[11:10] Similarly, we should sign petitions if we feel strongly about the issue, because these will be presented to Parliament if enough people sign them and again, we are asserting our rights.
[12:33] Those who are motivated to do so may consider joining a political party and even running for office.
[13:23] The right of lawful protest is an important democratic right. Currently protests in Australia are prohibited by public health orders. This is an impingement on a fundamental right, The concept of civil disobedience becomes relevant here.
[15:19] In the longer term, we should ensure our Parliamentarians take an oath or affirm allegiance to serve the people of Australia.
[15:44] Parliamentarians should vote on their conscience more often rather than along party lines.
[15:57] We should consider citizen-initiated referenda.
[16:23] We should consider if the leader of the Executive should be directly elected by the people as in the American system.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Idara Bassey is a lawyer and expert on lawyer wellbeing. She is an author of Reflections of a Mystical Sistah, a channeled book, and her new book on rethinking the rules of lawyering is due to be published in 2022.
We talk about the place of spirituality in the modern corporation, how leaders need to do inner work to lead today's corporations, and how lawyering is changing to meet the growing demands of people who are awakening to their deeper spiritual needs.
Show notes
[2:18] Idara shares with us how her first book Reflections of a Mystical Sistah came about, after she moved from Washington DC to California, the day before 9/11 occurred. That book is a channelled book.
[6:24] It was in law school that Idara sharpened her connection to her intuition, when she began to observe the energy there and how it transformed people to behave in self-serving ways.
[9:44] Idara decided that if she would survive law school, she would cultivate inner energetic strengths.
[13:29] Self-reflection and not necessarily doing what society tells you to do are important when everything around us is being re-evaluated.
[15:46] After law school, Idara finished her LL.M then ended up in Washington DC working with a non-profit that was a sub-Saharan Africa relief agency. This also gave her the chance to observe how attached people were to their titles and roles.
[19:21] After 10 years in academia, and moving to California, Idara enrolled herself in a doctoral degree in metaphysics. Her thesis focussed on the manifestation of energy in corporations. Parts of Idara's doctoral thesis were channelled.
[23:37] We talk about the Great Resignation of 2021 when large numbers of people are expected to resign from their corporate jobs, up to 40% by some estimates.
[28:29] Idara's new book is about the limitations of the traditional way of thinking like a lawyer and the new ways to be a lawyer in this period of mass transformation.
[34:26] Idara sees this period of lockdowns, restriction and limitation as an opportunity for personal growth.
For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.
I briefly relate my experiences in dream state working with others on the latest stage of the transformational awakening we're experiencing as a collective.
Then I explain the way democracy works in the Westminster system, which is the system that prevails in Australia, adopted from the UK. Some of these rules serve us well but others - especially the unwritten conventions that allows political parties to dominate government - do not. As we begin transforming our systems, it's time to think about what will we want to keep and what will we wish to discard?
Show notes:
[1:26] I discuss a recent dream I had about the huge number of highly advanced souls who are preparing to walk in or drop in to this planet. In my dream, I was processing a group of these souls who were here for a specific mission.
[5:03] The changes in our political systems will begin to show up in physical terms from now on and will be different for each country.
[5:03] The changes in our political systems will begin to show up in physical terms from now on and will be different for each country.
[5:37] In Australia, we have a system of democracy based on the separation of powers - that the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are separate arms of government so that power is not centralised in one place.
[7:40] In the Westminster system, Parliament makes the laws and is comprised of two Houses - the Lower House that represents the people and the Upper House that reviews and approves laws. In Australia the Queen is part of Parliament. To be passed, laws have to be approved by both Houses and assented to by the Governor-General who is the Queen's representative in Australia.
[9:35] Parliamentarians are directly elected by the people, a concept known as representative democracy which is written into our Constitution.
[10:32] Australian democracy also relies on the unwritten rule of responsible government. One part of this is that the Executive (the Prime Minister, Cabinet and government departments) must be responsible to the Lower House of Parliament, which in practice means the political party that holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms government.
[12:07] Another part of responsible government limits the powers of the Queen's representative, the Governor-General who in exercising many of his or her powers, relies on the advice of the Prime Minister.
[13:23] Our State governments largely follow the same conventions in how governments are formed.
[14:13] By placing so much power in the hands of the ruling political party, the conventions of responsible government can override the effectiveness of representative democracy as Parliamentarians become accustomed to adopting the party line, instead of representing their constituents.
[15:45] Members of Parliament have a duty of public trust, to supervise and hold accountable the Executive on behalf of the electorate, but this doesn't happen within the same political party.
[16:37] Although most Senates in Australia are not dominated by the ruling political party, they are fragmented and there is often a balance of power held by a handful of minor parties or independents which still allows the government to get laws passed by negotiating with these few Parliamentarians.
[17:42] The end result is that our views as the electorate are seldom heard directly and we feel frustrated when we want to express them although we live in a democracy. What can we do to improve the system?
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Dr Pearlette J. Ramos is a leader, lawyer, social justice advocate, and writer. She is a world traveller who has expanded herself through travel and now coaches other women to do the same.
We talk about her upcoming documentary, Three (Extra)ordinary Women, which will chronicle the journey of three women who have overcome personal tragedy and obstacles to triumph in their lives, while coming together to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Three (Extra)ordinary Women documentary: https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/three-extraordinary-women/
To donate to help make the film a reality, please visit here
Show notes:
[2:39] Pearlette tells us how she has adjusted her travel plans in the time of COVID. She runs a business guiding travel groups - mainly women - to places like Italy, Morocco and Antarctica.
[4:43] Pearlette's passion for travel stemmed from a traumatic and abusive childhood, where she would pray to God and would dream of a life, beyond the limitations of her upbringing. She overcame financial limitations and her own fears and beliefs to create a business involving travel.
[9:00] After practising law for 12 years, Pearlette went back to school to gain a PhD in Psychology. Her childhood experiences led her to believe that we have access to something beyond our minds and by tapping into it we can be led to live a fuller life.
[13:00] In accessing the power of her prayers, dreams and imagination, Pearlette believed in something better for herself, which was a source of hope and healing. It is in our power to choose to transcend our traumatic experiences.
[15:49] When one has been oppressed, seeing the oppression as a limitation that can be overcome and learned from is empowering. Pearlette used the limitations on travel imposed by COVID to achieve a greater sense of peace and equanimity.
[20:31] As a solo female traveller. Pearlette has used travel to challenge and set tasks for herself, for example travelling to Egypt alone and more recently going to Antarctica, which is a journey she used as a catalyst to reset her vision for her life post-50.
[23:38] Pearlette is now exploring her creative side rather than her analytical side which she relied on for so long as a lawyer. She is expressing her creativity through the documentary project, Three (Extra)ordinary Women which brings together her passions for travel, exploration, empowerment of women, and hiking.
[27:08] Three (Extra)ordinary Women tells the story of three women: Pearlette, Tami and Terry, who have overcome obstacles and trauma early in their lives to achieve amazing things in the areas of social justice. They will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2021.
[33:05] Tami had her mother murdered in front of her as a 6 year old child. Today she is an environmentalist in Dallas, Texas.
[34:31] Terry was born in Palestine and when the Israelis invaded Palestine her life became hell. She emigrated to America as a teenager and worked instead of studying so her family could join her.
[36:23] Pearlette overcame abuse as a child and lost her baby as a teenage mother. With Tami and Terry is currently preparing for the physical challenges of the hike which will begin on 8 September.
[40:18] Pearlette is working hard on bringing the documentary to life and hopes it will inspire girls and women who see it to be inspired to overcome whatever emotional, mental and physical challenges they have faced in their life.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
I talk about the Nuremberg Trials that occurred in the aftermath of World War II, because I'm hearing a lot of mention of Nuremberg these days.
I explain what they were and the consequences of Nuremberg on the development of international criminal law, especially the first trial which tried the Nazi leaders before an international military tribunal. I also answer the question of whether we might see another Nuremberg style trial today and why I don't think we have conditions that make this realistic right now.
Show notes:
[0:32] The Nuremberg Trials were held in the aftermath of World War II in Nuremberg, Germany seek justice against those who had perpetrated the worst atrocities during the total war that ravaged Europe.
[1:29] The most important Nuremberg Trial was the first one where the Nazi leadership was brought to account before an International Military Tribunal presided over by the four victorious Allied forces: the United States, Britain, Soviet Union, and France. Twelve other trials followed which included the Doctors' trial (for Nazi physicians) and the Judges' trial (for judges and lawyers who advanced the racial purity program).
[3:33] The legal framework for the Nuremberg trials came out of the instrument of surrender that Germany had signed and from the law of war.
[5:02] The Nuremberg Charter created three categories of crimes, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
[7:18] The first Nuremberg Trial is that it led to the development of international criminal law. This is the intersection of international law - which regulates nation-States' conduct - and criminal law - which seeks to make accountable the individuals and organisations responsible for criminal actions.
[8:26] Secondly, the Nuremberg Trials led to an understanding that individual rights need protection from government actions, which led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
[9:12] Thirdly, crimes against humanity such as genocide can be conducted during war time or peace time.
[9:43] Fourthly, with Nuremberg, we developed an understanding of when international criminal law is appropriate to punish crimes - these are usually large scale, atrocious crimes where we can apply the broad brush of international criminal law and still achieve justice.
[11:34] Fifthly, important principles from Nuremberg included that acting in an official position is no defence, that an action may not be a crime under a national legal system but can be illegal under international law and that obeying superior orders if not always a defence.
[12:59] Would we see another Nuremberg style trial today? With these tribunals, there's always a prior, almost universal agreement that something really terrible has happened. There is no public consensus today that a large-scale evil has occurred so I don't see this happening.
[15:33] With a Nuremberg style trial, the international community must agree on an authority to carry out the proceedings, such as the Nuremberg's victorious Allied forces, a UN Security Council resolution or an international treaty.
[17:21] Finally a Nuremberg style trial cannot happen in secret if we want a proper appreciation of whatever evil has occurred that deserves such a trial. Moreover, justice cannot be served if delivered in secret.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Chamundai Curran is the owner of The Laughter Lawyer, a training organisation for wellness, personal effectiveness, relationship building, conflict resolution and coaching and mentoring programs, based on laughter yoga.
Chamundai coaches and mentors lawyers and professionals who are interested in spirituality, feel called to look more deeply into life, their purpose, and who seek to be of service to humanity using their unique gifts and talents.
We talk about how laughter is a true healer, by lifting a person, placing problems in perspective, enhancing creativity, aiding emotional wellbeing and transmitting positive physiological hormones and other chemicals to the body. It's a boon for lawyers who tend to take ourselves too seriously!
Show notes
[2:04] Chamundai's early legal career was traditional, as a family and litigation lawyer. She found that traditional law didn't fix her clients' problems. She began to delve into counselling as a Lifeline counsellor to help her clients.
[6:01] Chamundai's spiritual quest started early, as a child she was curious about esoteric questions and as a teenager took up yoga in Sydney. She felt strongly pulled to the yogic tradition, meeting the guru Swami Satyananda.
[8:54] I discuss with Chamundai the concept of reincarnation and 'past lives' influencing choices we make in our current life, which sometimes expresses itself as a strong attraction to a particular country or tradition.
[12:24] Chamundai also began to awaken to an intuition in her work, guiding her to clients and leading her to discuss healing concepts with them.
[14:55] Chamundai became involved in Lifeline unintentionally, through a friend's invitation, who didn't tell her what it was about but invited her to a training session for counsellors.
[17:47] From counselling - which taught her valuable compassionate communication skills - Chamundai trained in mediation and restorative justice.
[20:18] Later, Chamundai became inspired to start a laughter club, based on a divine thought that came to her after feeling dispirited with the legal profession.
[22:24] The idea of a laughter club led Chamundai to find laughter yoga, which tied back to her love for yoga and her earlier spiritual training.
[28:47] Growing out of her experiences with laughter yoga, Chamundai started The Laughter Lawyer which systematically lifts people to a higher place through laughter as therapy.
[29:45] Through The Laughter Lawyer, Chamundai assists clients with wellbeing. She also sees it as vital to building community for like-minded lawyers.
[33:20] Chamundai sees more lawyers gravitating towards integrative law and opening themselves up to spirituality. It might mean going down unexpected paths.
[35:59] A good teacher will provide a person with options and open themselves up to inner wisdom instead of creating followers.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
I discuss the concept of non-violent resistance in the context of disobeying laws, rules and orders. As a lawyer, I adopt the stance of Martin Luther King, Jr that when a person is moved to defy a law they see as unjust, then they must do so openly, lovingly and with preparedness to accept the consequences of their actions. As someone who believes in a loving spiritual force underlying reality, this to me is essential - love conquers all. King's concept non-violent resistance was inspired by the teachings of Christ and Gandhi.
Show notes
[0:41] As a lawyer, I get called upon to advise people on what my views are about defying the law. often by decent, law abiding people who feel strongly that these laws are unjust as they infringe upon human rights and natural law.
[2:23] Martin Luther King, Jr. epitomised the right way to engage in civil disobedience, especially in what he said in his letter from a Birmingham jail which he wrote in 1963.
[3:32] Rev. King was talking about segregation laws in the United States but what he said applies equally to other unjust laws.
[5:02] A critical point is that Rev. King was discussing unjust laws. Every individual will have a different perspective of what is unjust, but the more a law, rule or order goes against natural law, the more people will agree it is unjust.
[6:48] We must still respect the law - indiscriminate evasion of the law would create anarchy. It is when one's conscience moves one to disobey an unjust law that Rev. King's principles are relevant. These are that one who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly and with a willingness to accept the penalty.
For more please visit the episode page on New Earth lawyer website.
Kelly McGrath, Esq., is the owner of Kelly McGrath Law, PLLC, a non-litigation law firm focusing on business and family law mediations, restorative justice cases, and collaborative divorce. Her practice in Tallahassee, Florida puts compassion and listening first and she has developed client protocols to ensure this.
We talk about her mission as a peacebuilder and how she has brought that into her work, something she demonstrates through example after powerful example of the law being an instrument of restoration and healing for people and communities after trauma and serious crime.
Show Notes
[1:48] Kelly talks about her background in care and support, as a kindergarten teacher who studied law then moving to working as an attorney for the State of Florida. Her collaborative, gentle style naturally led her to discover a kinder way to practise law, including implementing initial empathetic listening sessions with her clients.
[5:23] Kelly includes empathy in her mediation work, by holding pre-conferences that also emphasise communication, values and mindset.
[7:39] In dealing with conflict, Kelly guides her clients through deep breathing and meditative practices, which are based on studies of human responses.
[11:16] Kelly's vision is of world peace and her mission is to help guide people through their most challenging conversations so they can resolve them through peace.
[14:38] Kelly introduces us to restorative justice by describing the case of 20-year old Ann Grosmaire who was murdered by her boyfriend Conor McBride and whose parents used restorative justice principles to heal as well as prevent Conor from being served the death penalty.
[17:41] In serious harm cases, such as rape and sexual assault, restorative justice can bring a degree of closure to the victim who can move on with their life. Kelly describes one such example that she worked on.
[20:09] Restorative justice models can co-exist with existing criminal justice processes. In the pre-trial stage it can work as a diversion program, for example, by establishing conditions of probation and avoiding incarceration.
[21:10] When the offender is in prison, it operates as a victim-offender dialogue that can help bring closure to victims and their families.
[23:13] Kelly also engages in training restorative justice facilitators and describes the type of training it might entail.
[26:29] Restorative justice can bring communities together, as Kelly explains through an example of a 12 year old boy who damaged a community centre, scaring an elderly neighbour. The diversion program resulted in the boy's family and the neighbour assisting each other and the community coming together to support them.
[31:14] Kelly advises young lawyers who are motivated to make change in the criminal justice system to speak to their supervisors with examples of how modalities like restorative justice work effectively and request training.
[32:32] Kelly continues to expand the idea of more empathy in mediation She shuns the billable hour in her work and works only on a fixed fee basis.
[35:32] In addition, Kelly continues to support the Florida Restorative Justice Association through continuing legal education programs.
[37:25] Finally, Kelly also runs as a side passion the Life After All program, which is a support program for post-divorce and widowed women to move forward through a network of supportive professionals such as personal trainers and financial advisers.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Human rights are the key to a new legal system. Human rights is an area of law that deals with the universal rights of every human being, rights that are inherent to us, regardless of our nationality, sex, ethnic origin, religion, language or any other status.
Human rights align with natural law - a system of laws that are inherently just, moral and correct.
If we can ensure that all those responsible for passing laws and interpreting laws receive the right grounding in human rights, if our national Constitutions enshrine human rights protections and if businesses are accountable for respecting human rights, we will have a legal system that is far more aligned to natural law.
Show notes:
[0:22] Human rights are the universal rights of every human being, rights that are inherent to us and apply regardless of our sex, our religion, or nationality, or ethnic origin, language or any other status.
[0:55] Some countries guarantee basic human rights to their citizens such as the United States through their Bill of Rights.
[2:30] The Bill of Rights has its roots in a document called the Magna Carta signed in 1215 by King John of England which established boundaries to the powers of the sovereign.
[3:50] Constitutionally guaranteed human rights means that no law can be passed by Parliament that infringes on those rights.
[4:33] Australia has a handful of constitutionally guaranteed rights, some expressly set out in our Constitution and others that are implied by the drafting and structure of the document.
[6:50] Australia has signed up to a number of international human rights treaties but only some of those treaty obligations have been passed by Parliament to become legally binding laws in Australia, such as anti-discrimination laws.
[9:32] Some jurisdictions in Australia (Commonwealth, ACT, Queensland and Victoria) have specific Acts of Parliament that require new laws to be scrutinised by Parliamentary committees to ensure compatibility with human rights. There are many shortcomings to this system as a means of protecting human rights, since the executive government of the day often controls the process and political expediency often wins out,
[12:03] In ACT, Queensland and Victoria, courts can also declare laws passed by Parliament to be incompatible with human rights, although these declarations are not legally enforceable.
[12:39] Courts are also an important source of common law human rights. However, common law rights can be overridden by Parliament.
[14:17] Businesses are beginning to emphasise respect for human rights although there is a way to go before they can genuinely say they do so as their understanding of what human rights are and how they may be impacting human rights are still a work in progress.
[17:44] Natural law is a philosophy that says that human made laws should be based on morality, and ethics and what's inherently correct and natural. Human rights are aligned to natural law.
[19:18] We should ensure that all our laws and all those responsible for passing laws and interpreting laws receive the right grounding in human rights, Moreover, if our country's Constitutions enshrine human rights protections and if businesses are accountable for respecting human rights, we will have a legal system that is far more aligned to natural law.
For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Paul Watchman is a leading figure and recognised legal authority in areas connected with ESG (environmental, social and governance). Through a long association with the UN, he closely scrutinises law firms and their developing ESG practices.
We talk about the widespread greenwashing by Big Law, how large law firms really see their ESG practices as recruitment tools and use it for glossy promotional material, but in large part fail to walk the walk on diversity, wellbeing, sustainability and transparency.
Show notes:
[2:05] Paul shares his background as a lawyer in Glasgow acting for the homeless and victims of domestic violence, before he turned to academia and eventually became a partner at Magic Circle firm Freshfields.
[5:45] Paul says the levels of greenwashing he has found in scrutinising Big Law firms is substantial, having reviewed the ESG practices claimed by 55 international law firms.
[7:06] As a Big Law insider of many decades, Paul is well-equipped to judge what large law firms are promoting about their ESG credentials and what is actually true. What he found was exaggeration of the scale and depth of ESG practices.
[9:58] ESG specialism takes a commitment to learning, plus practical experience. The true number of ESG legal specialists is significantly smaller than what is claimed collectively by law firms. Genuine specialists would be known by the long-time practitioners in the area.
[12:11] Paul expands on law firms using their ESG practices as a recruitment tool while their own records on diversity and wellbeing are dismal.
[15:11] According to Paul, one of the biggest drivers of unhealthy culture in large law firms is the billable hour model which reduces lawyers to resources and puts young lawyers under tremendous pressure.
[16:40] The billable hour model also mitigates against the specialism needed for ESG lawyers to develop due to the investment in learning required which short-termism does not allow for.
[19:39] Paul identifies specialist niche legal practices as one of the reasons for optimism in the development of authentic ESG legal practices. Niche practices can also choose clients who are aligned with their own values, which Big Law is not prepared to do.
[23:43] Another point of pressure ought to come from general counsels and in-house legal counsels holding law firms accountable for diversity and inclusion in their workforce, including by demanding audits.
[27:34] In Paul's direct experience, large law firms are extremely reluctant to provide statistics on diversity gender at the top of the tree in their structures, which is equity partnership.
[30:03] We discuss how the real problem with Big Law and the ESG greenwash and hypocrisy is a fundamental lack of transparency.
[35:31] I ask Paul for advice to young up and coming ESG lawyers and his extremely insightful message is to be courageous, be focussed, be imaginative and be mindful of how ESG is changing structures and public expectations, such as by applying public law standards to multinational corporations.
For more, please visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I summarise the current state of play from my perspective, having interviewed 11 lawyers doing interesting and innovative work in the practice of law.
These lawyers are truly transforming the world through their new ways of practising law. I explain who they are and what they are doing. They make me optimistic we will see a tipping point in the way law is practised which will make lawyers better equipped to serve the new paradigm.
This episode celebrates these amazing individuals.
Show notes:
[1:32] I'm seeing many lawyers leaving large hierarchical law firms to step out on their own or in smaller groups to be true to themselves, to better allow people to be authentic and serve their clients humanely, like David Cameron (David Cameron Law Office), Matthew Burgess (View Legal) and Mel Lyon (Hive Legal). John Chisholm is a lawyer who is a mentor to these new law practitioners.
[4:12] Lawyers are also helping corporations and businesses to be more human-centred and better for the planet, like Patrick Andrews who devises innovative structures for visionary businesses.
[6:40] To facilitate these changes, we will also need government reform for a true representative democracy, including the voice of the Indigenous, and reform of courts to empower human rights and personal liberties.
[7:52] Lawyers are healing conflict at an individual and small business level, such as collaborative family lawyer Marguerite Picard (MELCA) and former 'head-kicking' litigation lawyer turned collaborative lawyer Peter Lustig.
[8:55] In contracts, Kim Wright is a leader in value-based contracts, a way for contracts to really allow the parties to join together to build something positive together. Meanwhile, Camilla Anderson produces comic-book contracts, which makes contracts more accessible and compassionate.
[10:49] Spiritual lawyers such as Amanda Lamond and Virginia Warren are bringing divine guidance to lawyers through coaching, training programs and mentoring programs, thus ushering in more spiritualty and love into the profession and our clients.
[13:04] As we move through this time of volatility and change, we need to avoid stepping into negative energy and remaining in the polarised old paradigm. We can create most effectively from a place of higher frequency, which means focussing on the new.
[15:39] An initiative that is occurring right now includes Amanda Lamond convening a council of lawyers to hold a vision for a New Earth paradigm from a legal perspective.
[16:50] Kim Wright and several others are also hosting a global online event this week to explain and teach lawyers in new modalities that will serve the new paradigm.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
David is the principal of David Cameron Law Office, based in Hong Kong. David started his own law firm in order to better serve clients and provides advice on corporate law and financing transactions at a fixed fee.
David has thought deeply about every facet of his new firm, from core values and the 12 commitments he makes to every client, to how he would develop and nurture anyone who comes to work for him. We talk about all this against the unique backdrop of the Hong Kong legal market, where New Law firms are only just beginning to emerge.
Show Notes
- [1:29] David explains the nature of the Hong Kong market - which is segmented into various types of law firms. The market and regulatory barriers to entry mean that NewLaw firms are only just beginning to emerge.
- [6:02] David's move to set up his own practice came from his own innate sense that he was limited by his prior environments and wanted to test boundaries in the law.
- [9:18] David's simple innovations include introducing a Board of advisors, and establishing core values and client commitments.
- [11:52] NewLaw firms have a unique opportunity to create alignment between clients and their founder's values.
- [13:39] David describes the way he went about identifying how he could make meaningful, truthful commitments to clients to distinguish himself and let clients know he can be trusted.
- [15:18] A NewLaw firm can implement core values from inside-out that are not just a poster on a wall.
- [21:13] David explains that in Hong Kong, the fixed fee, value pricing model resonates with a mid-level segment of the market which is prevalent in Hong Kong.
- [26:11] Marketing for a niche law firm in Hong Kong also is about finding a personal touch and way of communicating.
- [27:27] The entry of Chinese law firms in Hong Kong has shaken up the top end of the market but not really impacted the segment targeted by David's firm.
- [29:12] In looking to hire a lawyer to join him, David has thought deeply about what he can offer the right person and how this plays into the broader factors young Hong Kong lawyers are facing right now. This includes nurturing, close attention to professional development, work-life balance, an opportunity to participate in innovative law practices, and succession planning.
- [33:42] David's sound advice for young Hong Kong lawyers is to be mindful of debt burden being acquired, look for a niche, and consider all of your options.
- [37:33] Opportunities for young lawyers joining NewLaw firms are non-traditional but offer a more transparent path.
To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I discuss the current state of our shift in consciousness as a human collective. As part of this shift, we are breaking out of control structures that exist in our current paradigm.
I highlight the need to be aware of the old (and not so old) control structures and how to identify them. Many structures have benevolent origins but become hijacked with an energy of selfishness, power, division and control. Identifying control structures will enable us to continue our work to build new positive structures that do not attach to the energy that we are leaving behind and no longer serves us.
Show notes:
[0:27] This week I appeared on Soulogy Network talking about the shift in human consciousness and how New Earth lawyer and our guests contribute to the shift.
[1:35] We are shifting from a three-dimensional (3D) consciousness to a fifth-dimensional (5D) consciousness. Fourth dimensional (4D) consciousness is not a platform where humanity dwells permanently and we thus will bypass it.
[3:45] Since not all of us are ready to shift from 3D to 5D, as an intermediate step we will transform our current 3D experience, most importantly to break out of the control structures that influence us.
[6:42] The control structures in our current paradigm are reinforced by the power of our thoughts. Most of these structures are hijackings or inversions of systems that have origins in benevolence and service to humanity, like the medical system.
[9:11] In the legal system, control structures show up in established systems like government and the criminal justice system.
[12:39] The way to identify control structures is that the good intentions take on an energy of punishment; rigidity and rules; economic transactions; inauthenticity and box-ticking; and most of all divisiveness.
[13:44] There are also newer control structures - these include public health legislation and national security legislation, two areas where government should behave in a protective manner but are easily hijacked into abusive tools of suppression and tyranny.
[15:07] More subtle new control structures include corporate social responsibility and the sustainability movement, which can become infused with controlling energy when governed by fear, compulsion, rigidity, money, inauthenticity and polarisation.
[17:37] Support for underprivileged and vulnerable groups can likewise be inverted to create a welfare mindset and stigmatisation.
[18:27] To ensure we can discern when a well-intentioned movement or modality is being hijacked into a control structure, lawyers can keep doing inner work and following inner guidance.
[19:55] Some lawyers may be called to fight control structures to shed light on what is happening but most of us working in creating for the New Earth will move past that energy to build beautiful legal movements, concepts and modalities for the new paradigm.
To learn more, go to the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Melissa Lyon is Executive Director and Experience Designer of Hive Legal, a boutique law firm based in Melbourne, Australia. She is committed to improving the experience for those who receive legal services and all of those who work in our industry.
We talk about how innovation starts with prioritising the experience for clients and for your people. This is the essence of human-centred design and is Mel's guiding principle and what makes Hive Legal successful.
Show Notes
[2:00] Mel explains how innovation was built into every component of Hive from its inception.
[3:42] Hive not only has removed time sheets to focus on outputs but allows completely flexible remote working practices.
[5:40] The nub of Hive's innovation is its human-centred design - for clients and its people. The legal profession tends to jump to high-tech solutions and efficiencies instead of focussing on the people experience.
[9:19] Mel gives an example of how Hive with its flat structure brings in the right components of expertise (tech and design-thinking) to improve client experience in a contract approval process.
[13:25] Mel talks about Hive's purpose to improve the experience for its team and clients and her own purpose to give people a fulfilling career early on.
[14:59] Authenticity gives rise to creativity which breeds an innovative culture.
[17:20] We talk about healthy cross-pollination and innovation within firms which traditional law firms have barriers around.
[20:24] Mel explains how at Hive everyone has input into strategy which leads to true inclusiveness. Everyone's voice is heard which motivates everyone to contribute time and energy to the betterment of the firm.
[24:57] Big Law will always have a place for large scale legal matters but New Law is already contributing to the legal ecosystem.
[27:09] As a New Law firm, Hive offers a unique training model for graduates in highly specialised areas with the same type of work as Big Law but in a different model. Young lawyers now can also think about allied legal areas and building their career in a completely bespoke way.
[31:26] Hive intends to expand its consulting model which involves bringing its successful innovative ideas to the broader legal ecosystem including other law firms, clients and regulators.
For more, visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I discuss how I integrated my experience of taking ayahuasca after returning from Peru 2017.
I had several twists and turns on the path to aligning my purpose, that involved initially throwing myself into my work, later changing direction and transforming my legal practice and finally leaving my job to be work on my own. Along the way, I learned more about the nature of our multi-dimensional reality and why we need to practise discernment when building a new paradigm for the future.
Show Notes
- [0:49] Immediately upon my return from Peru, I threw myself into my work.
- [2:07] Three months after my return, I had a realisation that I was not on the right path, which led me to reflect more deeply on my experiences and reach out to people who had experienced a spiritual connection with off-world energies.
- [6:42] Upon discovering that many ordinary people were connecting with extra-terrestrials delivering a message of a shift in human consciousness, I began to ponder whether I was in the right job.
- [7:51] I was inspired to eventually move away from my legal practice of corporate transactions and mergers & acquisitions into a kinder, more responsible type of law.
- [10:05] A year or so later, I had another rude jolt that led me to reassess my work once more.
- [11:14] I began to delve into more historical research of extra-terrestrial contact that suggested to me that the human race has been affected by our off-world interactions for aeons.
- [14:18] I realised that humanity has likely been negatively influenced and controlled by outside forces without our realisation.
- [17:11] The shift in consciousness for humanity has as much to do with levelling up to a higher consciousness as it does with recognising and breaking out of existing and very old control structures.
- [18:22] If we want to be effective change-makers, we need to be cognisant of the darker side of our past and present as a collective and aware of what we are building with our thoughts and our imaginations. We waste our energy if we work within the control structures.
- [19:22] We also need not fight existing control structures. Our most effective way forward is to see them for what they are and use the power of our imagination to build new ones.
For more information, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Matthew Burgess is a founder of specialist firm View Legal which offers holistic estate planning solutions and education for trusted advisers. He has developed a unique specialist model that is all about elegant and effective tech and pricing innovation geared to clients.
We talk about what pricing innovation looks like using Matthew's real-life experience, how tech doesn't have to be expensive or advanced to deliver effectively and what kind of diversity actually leads to innovation.
Show notes
[1:49] Matthew takes us through his journey from young-gun partner at a large law firm to realising that being "exquisite" at filling in timesheets did not make him the kind of lawyer he ought to be for his clients.
[5:40] Matthew talks about trying to fight the machine from the inside - from piloting fixed pricing to ditching timesheets.
[10:12] Matthew shares what he learned about value pricing along the way, including being not attached to the outcome but looking out for the client's best outcome.
[14:05] We reflect on the possibility of scaling up value pricing for large law firms, and the impact that would have on the reallocation of resources away from the timesheet model to investment and client relationships.
[16:36] Throwing out timesheets means transforming the entire system from one that values "time spent" to one that removes the focus on short-term gains and huge margins.
[19:18] Matthew explains how technology is an enabler and it's often simple solutions like retraining lawyers to use cheap and effective technology that delivers significant efficiencies.
[23:19] Releasing lawyers and staff from routine work that technology can take care of allows reimagining of the entire law firm including building-in rewards for innovation not adding them on as extra incentives.
[26:54] We discuss how both Big Law firms and New Law disruptors have a part to play in the entire ecosystem of training lawyers technically and to develop emotional intelligence.
[31:00] We cover how current law firm partners have no incentive to change the system. From there, we delve into how monoculture in law firms strips out diversity of thought, no matter how diverse people may appear in gender or culture.
[35:22] In talking about authenticity, Matthew explains how until we begin to focus more on results, as a profession, we will not get to true diversity.
[36:54] Our attempt to conform in law firms, from our style of dress to the things we talk about, stifles personality, authenticity and diversity.
[39:41] Matthew's final piece of advice is to focus always on how to best deliver and create value for people.
For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I discuss more of my experience taking the South American psychedelic brew ayahuasca in Peru in 2017.
This second part covers some of the profound experiences I had under the influence of ayahuasca, including what I learned about the nature of my being - the connection of my soul to my personality and body and how they each interact. Plus, and having my "soul purpose" shown to me in a completely unexpected way.
Please remember that, as a psychedelic concoction, ayahuasca is to be treated with caution and respect. It is also illegal in many places in the world.
Show notes
[0:44] I describe the schedule of the seven ceremonies over 12 days.
[1:48] I go over a typical day when we would have an ayahuasca ceremony.
[3:02] I explain the physical setting where we would consume ayahuasca each evening.
[3:45] I explain what actually happened in each ayahuasca ceremony, how we would drink our dose, how the shamans would set things up and so on.
[5:22] I recount my first experience with ayahuasca which was pleasant.
[9:03] One of my worst experiences with ayahuasca came with a reminder not to take my physical body for granted and to be grateful for it.
[11:55] Ayahuasca physically healed me in a systematic way, scanning my body energetically for physical problems.
[13:40] My most significant ayahuasca ceremony was one where my soul purpose was revealed. But before that I had to answer an important question asked by ayahuasca.
[15:19] My purpose was revealed to me.
[17:48] The strangest part of the experience was who or what revealed my purpose to me.
For more, please visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.
Amanda Lamond is a Legal Futurist, a Soul Coach for lawyers and a Spiritual Channel. Her name, Amanda Lamond, means “Beloved Lawspeaker”.
In this episode, we talk about her various roles and how they each touch on the importance of Spirit in the life of lawyers today - to secure a brighter future for the profession, to help individual lawyers find their soul purpose and to bring in the higher guidance that Amanda has received which is her unique contribution in creating and holding space for lawyers of the new paradigm.
Show notes
- [2:51] In discussing her role as a legal futurist, Amanda explores the breakdown of current systems in this current period we're living in, including the legal system.
- [5:25] Amanda speaks about the crisis in the law, which is that lawyers are not liked, don't like each other, and don't like themselves. Integrative law seeks to address this crisis.
- [8:49] Amanda works with universities and law students to grow their awareness of another way to practise law.
- [13:10] From her work with universities, she created the awakening lawyers mentoring program with 28 law students and 28 mentors from around the world.
- [16:04] Amanda's soul coach work is aimed at encouraging awakened lawyers to remain in the law by reimagining and redesigning their lives.
- [22:04] Through the mentoring program, Amanda is guiding law students to see the innovative ways in which lawyers are practising law and allowing them to see more options.
- [25:29] Amanda's soul coaching work with lawyers includes programs to uplift client perceptions and energies so they are empowered to execute their soul purpose.
- [32:41] In working with someone to divine their soul purpose, Amanda helps them tap into their inner wisdom and also to heal and accept themselves and be comfortable with stillness and silence.
- [39:30] Amanda relates her remarkable story of when she began to hear her spiritual guidance more clearly which has led to her becoming a spiritual channel. It began with a trip to Bali, Indonesia in 2012.
- [43:12] Today Amanda channels messages for herself and her clients who are awakening lawyers to support them in their journeys.
- [46:22] Amanda is also being guided to work more with groups of lawyers and create and hold safe space for these groups of new paradigm lawyers to emerge and do their work.
To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I discuss my experience taking the South American psychedelic brew ayahuasca in Peru in 2017.
This is the first of a multi-part series, where I introduce the basics of ayahuasca, what it is, how it's made, what to consider when choosing how and where to do ayahuasca and what attitude to bring to the ceremonies.
I recommend resources and links for anyone interested in pursuing a journey of consuming ayahuasca.
Please remember that, as a psychedelic concoction, ayahuasca is to be treated with caution so please conduct careful research. It is also illegal in many places in the world.
Show notes:
[1:49] Ayahuasca is now very well-known and kind of trendy - including amongst creative professionals and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.
[3:33] Ayahuasca is both a plant (a vine) and a brew made out of that vine and a shrub. The two plants interact with each other to enable a hallucinogenic effect,
[6:28] I describe my reasons for wanting to experience ayahuasca, specifically curiosity about what is the true nature of reality and a search for personal purpose.
[11:12] A word of caution about ayahuasca - as it is a hallucinogenic concoction, it will make you unable to move without assistance so you must feel safe amongst people who are around you when you take it.
[12:59] Ayahuasca is illegal in many places in the world and although not expressly illegal in Australia, it should be assumed and treated as such. This is why I travelled to Peru where there is a legal ayahuasca tourism industry.
[14:58] I recommend a centre near Iquitos, Peru which is called the Temple of the Way of Light, with Western trained facilitators and medical staff as well as indigenous Shipibo male and female shamans, with independent reviews and recommendations I could verify.
[16:47] I travelled from Melbourne, Australia to Iquitos, Peru and made the journey by river and foot into the jungle to the centre. I followed instructions to stay away from the Internet while there and to adhere to a strict diet.
[19:03] Apart from the setting, set is also important in approaching ayahuasca - that is, mindset, For me the three important factors are: respect for ayahuasca; clarity of intention; and a courageous spirit.
For more, visit the episode page at New Earth lawyer website.
Peter Lustig is a lawyer and mediator based in Melbourne, Australia. As a collaborative practitioner, he is interested in healing and peacemaking: resolutions, not least-worst-outcome settlements. As a coach, he is involved in men's groups including adult male rite of passage programs with a not-for-profit called Mankind Project Australia.
In this episode, we talk about how lawyers - like health professionals - are facilitators of heroic healing journeys and how that shows up in our life stories, including Peter's own epic legal battle with an iconic Australian corporation.
Show notes:
- [1:39] Peter explains how childhood trauma and experiences as a young man equipped him only to deal with conflict through fight, flight or freeze responses, For him, a good part of being an adversarial lawyer was arrogance.
- [3:38] Creating one's own rites of passage is part of the journey into inquiring about one's purpose. Doing his own inner work led Peter to see his clients were becoming entangled with the law because there were lessons they were resistant to learning.
- [7:49] I discuss with Peter the parallels between our profession and the medical profession, and between traditional legal practice which resolves conflicts superficially and allopathic medicine, which treats symptoms only.
- [10:35] Just as our bodies express psychological trauma as physical ailments, conflict shows up in our lives to demonstrate to us what is going on within us.
- [14:26] Peter's shares his own bruising experiences in a long-running legal dispute with Qantas, which began with an incident while he was boarding a flight from Sydney to Melbourne with a client.
- [18:27] The proceedings Peter was embroiled in involved defending a felony charge with a potential significant custodial penalty. Peter was successfully cleared of the charge on appeal.
- [20:11] Following resolution of the criminal proceedings, Peter and his client launched civil action against Qantas in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal . Eventually, Qantas succeeded in arguing the Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
- [22:49] Peter's overall lesson from the epic battle with the iconic Australian company is that it was humbling, and he would do things differently if he could go back to the moment that set it off, The dispute became about entitlements, and the relationship aspects were lost in the heat of legal battle.
- [26:09] From Peter's personal saga, we move to the men's groups he leads, which are adult male rite of passage programs taking young men through wilderness journeys where they conquer challenges and integrate the experiences upon return, all in a safe space overseen by other men who have experienced the same.
- [29:54] The programs encourage alignment of the heat, heart and belly; authenticity; and checking in with emotions.
- [33:45] We talk about how women typically process and heal trauma differently, being moved to nurture in a maternal sense as opposed to directing efforts towards fixing as men traditionally do.
- [37:11] Peter explains how lockdown exacerbates conflict and we can use it as an opportunity to identify triggers.
- [38:44] Being a better human being is the aim, which will lead us to be better lawyers - better in everything we do.
- [40:15] Peter relates 2 powerful stories of resolution in a partnership dispute and a divorce settlement which shows that ultimately resolving all interpersonal conflict comes down to reminding ourselves of our relationships with the people around us.
For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I talk about how embarking on the process of making a change in the world requires a shift in thinking.
The first shift is to begin to engage in systems thinking, to see the interlocking pieces of the whole puzzle. The second shift is to inquire into the accuracy and reliability of information that we take in. This leads to a shift in reassessing our own beliefs and assumptions and shedding those that no longer serve. Each of these leads to a person becoming a more effective change-maker.
Show notes
[1:07] I talk about my recent podcast interview with Patrick Andrews where Patrick explains how he began to look at the bigger complex picture in his journey to devise innovative corporate structures. This is systems thinking.
[2:31] Systems thinking is necessary for effective change-making because working in only one part of the whole without appreciating the problems and necessary solutions in the rest, will render the effort nugatory.
[4:51] I provide as an example of this the broader education I embarked on, including the books I read, in an effort to understand the systems impacted by and impacting upon my work in profit-with-purpose enterprises .
[7:22] Linking up and collaborating with people who are working on solutions in other parts and other systems that complement your work is one of the benefits of systems thinking,
[8:51] Another shift occurs once systems thinking is engaged, which is an appreciation that a lot of information we absorb is focussed on only one piece of the puzzle - thus causing us to begin to healthily question the accuracy and completeness of the information we access.
[10:38] Critically examining every piece of information we come across can at first lead to a sense of disorientation but eventually leads us to strengthen our own inner guidance system.
[11:44] Another interesting phenomenon is that past information we have accepted also comes under scrutiny, which can cause a questioning of assumptions and belief structures.
[13:55] As we do this work, we become aware of and can see more clearly the programming that other people are carrying around with them.
[14:41] All of this is part of the journey of accumulating experience while becoming a more effective changemaker.
For more, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Patrick Andrews is a lawyer and facilitator with over 30 years’ experience in corporate structures and governance. He goes by the description Barefoot Lawyer. A barefoot lawyer he says is someone who makes law accessible, who meets people where they are and who is connected to the earth.
An intensely curious soul and a deep thinker, he has garnered a reputation for designing innovative, human-centred and earth-friendly corporate structures. In this episode, we talk about his journey to the outer reaches of corporate law and governance and the treasures he brings back on his intellectual travels.
Show notes:
[1:39] Patrick shares his story of his first trip to China, where he realised his job as a corporate lawyer had wider repercussions on society and the planet, that weren't necessarily for the better.
[8:49] Patrick discusses his years of 'wandering', looking for root causes of why so many good people in the capitalist, corporate world make decisions that perpetuate harm and inequity.
[9:18] Patrick says he began to see it was a systemic issue and sought to apply his innate curiosity to solving it.
[11:50] Patrick forayed into the not-for-profit world and found an equally toxic environment there.
[12:51] Patrick explained that he finally determined that our existing corporate legal structures are not equipped to underpin the type of corporation the world needs and he set about building it.
[17:43] Patrick began to see his role as a bridge-builder, working with entrepreneurs who were visionary and brave enough to work with him to create new structures.
[19:47] We talk about the B Corporation model, which Patrick sees as a positive but still interim model to more radical change.
[22:16] Patrick explains his ideas of moving beyond the concept of ownership of a company and ownership of employees, which harks back to serfdom and slavery.
[25:07] I ask Patrick his views on The British Academy's Future of the Corporation and Principles of Purposeful Business, which is brilliant in its conceptualisation of the different parts that need to be innovated.
[26:27] Moving away from a top-down, growth-oriented model to something more fluid and accepting of human complexity aligns with quantum theory and nature. In this vein, Patrick is exploring multiple-board models.
[31:33] Patrick shares the four elements of change he is working on, starting with embedding purpose in by-laws, in common with B Corporations. The second element is implementing a mission lock to protect the purpose through a golden-share mechanism.
[33:36] In discussing the third element of removing a rigid, controlling, hierarchical management structure, Patrick brings up the seminal book Reinventing Organisations by Frederic Laloux,
[36:30] Patrick's fourth element is the decentralisation of power towards polycentric governance, reminiscent of Indigenous ways of organising their tribal structures including Aboriginal Australian and Native American.
For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I talk about how lawyers are not trained to promote trust, whether it's developing the trust of our clients, gaining the trust of communities or guiding clients to building more trustful relationships with their stakeholders. In understanding trust, lawyers would also benefit from looking at the bigger picture, which means stepping back and appreciating the true nature of risk and the client's appetite for different types of risk
Show notes:
- [0:39] I talk about my favourite book on how lawyers can gain trust from clients, The Trusted Advisor, and the lessons I took away from it, mainly to diminish our focus on self when dealing with clients.
- [3:28] Lawyers aren't seen as an ethical profession, and we suffer from a lack of the community's trust. I mention my view, which I discussed in a Lawyers Weekly podcast late last year, that lawyers need to reduce self-interest.
- [6:48] When it comes to engendering more trust between our clients and their stakeholders, our training fails us, We are trained to warn clients not to trust, to be wary of risk.
- [8:59] Risk, however, is a part of life. Lawyers need to know where our expertise on risk sits within the bigger picture.
- [11:16] Lawyers should understand the area of risk and speak to clients about their specific risk management frameworks.
- [13:00] A more holistic understanding of risk connects back to trust-building skills,
- [13:45] I give two examples of where clients might trade off taking a higher risk for building more trust - one of eliminating non-competition clauses in employment contracts and another of Atlassian's simplified mergers & acquisitions term sheet.
- [17:08] Lawyers who want to guide clients toward more trustful relationships would gain from learning where clients are prepared to trade risk for trust, what the legal risks are as well as the real-life risks and gains.
To learn more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Camilla Andersen is an experienced law professor with successes in teaching, research and funded industry engagement. Her innovation and contribution to the law comes in the field of visual law, specifically the unique area of comic contracts. She has pioneered this work over the last 5 years.
For lawyers, her work is a revelation.
Join me as we delve into the fascinating story of how comic contracts came to be, and how they are revolutionising the world of legal contracting.
Show notes:
[4:01]: Camilla discusses the factors that led her to the world of comic contracts, from her work with the pro-active law movement, to being a mother to two highly-intelligent savant children with ASD thus learning different ways of communicating,
[6:38] Camilla reveals the amazing true story of how comic contracts came to be!
[10:14] Camilla harks back to the early days of comic contracts, beginning with non-disclosure agreements signed by university students.
[12:22] A slot on ABC Radio's Law Report turned into a sponsorship opportunity of a lifetime via great innovative thinking at Aurecon led by their then Chief Innovation Officer John McGuire.
[13:41] We discuss the Aurecon employment contracts in depth, selecting some of the most multitextured parts of the contracts and how they enriched the employer-employee relationship.
[19:05] Camilla relates how images can also end up getting lost in translation when they symbolise different things to different cultures!
[21:03] From Aurecon, Camilla moves on to her biggest project so far - Bankwest's customer terms and conditions in comic form, approved by Australia's securities regulator, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
[24:02] Camilla tells us how endorsement for the enforceability of comic contracts came from one of the highest judicial authorities in Australia, a former Chief Justice of the High Court.
[26:44] Camilla shows us an example contract from her husband's Alternative Consulting business, a one-page handyman services contract.
[30:49] Customers universally love the comic contracts, it seems. There is also an alternative for the visual impaired that stays true to the comic contract form.
[32:42} We talk about how to negotiate comic contracts - lawyers should sharpen their pencils!
[37:08] Camilla explains how to approach her or her husband's business to develop a comic contract, whether for large sponsors or smaller organisations, and tells us a little of what goes into the whole process.
For more, visit the episode page at the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I expand on my views on the 'bamboo ceiling' - the barrier to advancement of people from different cultural backgrounds, usually referring to Asians, but really applicable to all cultural diversity.
As a Malaysian by birth and a migrant to Australia, I bring my personal lens to the topic, with observations for culturally diverse individuals who are looking to advance, colleagues who want to be good allies to them, and organisations aspiring to be champions of a culturally diverse workforce and leadership.
Show notes:
- [2:07] I talk about why cultural diversity is important - it's really about promoting diversity of thought.
- [4:31] Since the expression 'bamboo ceiling' was coined in 2005. we have moved away from promoting a singular ideal of leadership to recognising different styles, which helps people from different backgrounds.
- [6:37] Introverts, for example, are now able to be themselves more.
- [8:06] Growing up in one culture and adapting to another can mean becoming conditioned to rely on external cues and validation. It can nurture early success, but we will eventually top out.
- [12:04] In the workplace, the very definition of leadership means expressing your authentic self - the sooner we discover who we truly are and learn to do that, the better.
- [13:15] Colleagues seeking to be allies can celebrate uniqueness and show good old-fashioned respect and civility. Tolerance goes both ways.
- [15:04] An organisation that invests in individual one-on-one purpose-work for next-generation leaders will reap rewards from diversity. Organisational purpose aligned with - not imposed upon - individual purpose will unleash potential.
For more on this episode, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
Virginia Warren is a lawyer on a mission.
She is not only a lawyer, she is a qualified yoga instructor, author of a book on how to resolve dissatisfaction in the legal profession, and a TedX Speaker. Until 2021, she was a partner in a legal practice in Mornington, Victoria, Australia. Today she runs a practice training lawyers and clients in love-based wisdom, called Lawyers for Love.
Lawyers for Love is currently exploring an alternate platform for individuals that supports the discovery of authentic selves, by using conflict as a catalyst.
It’s fair to say that Virginia is on a mission to bring the wisdom of love to our profession.
Show notes:
[01:52] Virginia recounts her journey into law, from a legal receptionist to law school to becoming a partner at the very same firm.
[04:16] Destiny had more in store for Virginia, in the form of a pair of high heels that led to her downfall, literally, and discovery of yoga to fix her bruised knees and ego.
[5:45] Her passion for yoga evolved into a yoga training diploma and her entrée into the world of ancient philosophy and principles, which she sought to apply to the law.
[9:40] Her next step was to write a book to introduce lawyers to another way of thinking about the mental health problems afflicting the profession.
[13:22] Virginia has not looked back since transferring out of her legal practice to building her new project, Lawyers for Love.
[14:44] Virginia talks about how we all have unconscious 'rules' we have developed from childhood, often imposed by our family or 'tribe'. Adopting these rules often leads to confusion and inauthenticity. We can free ourselves by consciously recognising the unconscious rules we carry around with us.
[20:16] Virginia talks about her conflict alchemy philosophy - how as lawyers, we can use the conflicts our clients come to us for as catalysts for recognising and addressing their unconscious rules.
[22:30] Virginia discusses the 'shadow' work she does, which applies to individuals as well as society when we ignore or cast blame on things that actually reflect the parts of ourselves or society that trouble us most but we don't want to accept. Integrating the shadow parts of ourselves validates the self and promotes healing.
[27:32] Conflict and war arise from an inability to accept another perspective. Our current legal system punishes perspectives whereas a loving system honours different perspectives and seeks to teach.
[30:21] We talk about the modern type of shamanism that Virginia practises in helping lawyers identify their unconscious rules.
[34:55] Lawyers for Love is beta-testing a new platform for lawyers that will allow them to take the ideas and practices into their own legal practice.
[36:12] Virginia tells me that the highest court in Australia has discussed the organic connection Indigenous people have to the land, which is a promises first step to recognising the inter-connectedness of all things.
For more, visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this episode, I talk about how to stay physically and psychologically healthy when you're working incredibly demanding hours. Working this way often occurs for lawyers in private practice.
I'm not a health professional - instead this comes from practical experience as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer for many years in law firms. Although it would be preferable that people don't work this way at all or don't do it for long, realistically speaking it happens. When it does, taking a few simple measures will pay off for your physical and mental health, and sustainability in the long-run.
Show notes:[1:05] Sometimes, lawyers work extremely long hours because of urgent matters - whether a transaction, trial or a critical government inquiry.
[2:11] Working around the clock is not sustainable beyond a few weeks.
[3:34] I talk about how important it is to speak up if your team is under-resourced and there is a risk of unsafe work practices.
[5:30] Physically speaking, I recommend to keep exercising, to eat well, not to self-medicate and to keep up a daily meditation practice, even if just for a few minutes a day.
[8:24] Psychologically speaking. I emphasise that the crucial thing is resilience.
[10:23] Keep things in perspective even under stress. This will help you maintain your sense of humour, hold your temper and take it day by day. Stay grateful.
[15:33] Remember, that it always come down to people and appreciating those around you.
I am an experienced corporate lawyer, using the law to build purposeful, human-centred, Earth-friendly legal enterprises & ecosystems, for happier humans and a better planet. I am also the founder and host of the New Earth lawyer podcast.
I am based in Melbourne, Australia. I established my own law practice Geraldine Grace in 2020, focussing on enterprises seeking purpose, and actors in the impact economy.
For more, check out the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
John Chisholm is a lawyer and value pricing expert and an advocate for professional firms to depart from the traditional firm model which prices solely on time. A former Managing Partner and Chief Executive of two leading Australian law firms, he compellingly runs through the many arguments for a move away from the billable-hour model - satisfied clients, more enduring client relationships, a collaborative culture, a more sustainable model, healthier lawyers, greater retention of talent, more robust financial position, increased trust and relevance in the business and wider community, and the list goes on.
Show notes:
[02:14] John describes his journey from law firm Managing Partner to consultant, which he 'fell into' at first. We talk about the challenges of being an outsider advising law firm Partners.
[08:04] John remembers his 'a-ha' moment when he encountered value-based pricing, after hearing the late Paul O'Byrne talk about it.
[12:04] The legal profession is stagnant on client-friendly pricing models, while the rest of the world innovates.
[15:19] Billable-hour pricing leads to a production mentality, which demeans lawyers.
[17:39] The private profession is losing good people, especially women, who will vote with their feet away from an outdated model that damages wellbeing.
[20:32] As John says, clients don't even buy lawyers' time, which is an input. They buy outputs, outcomes and value. And they want certainty.
[21:55] John answers my question on how law firms can move to a new model, away from the billable hour.
[26:56] Removing the billable-hour as a basis for charging clients can also mean a different way of measuring and rewarding lawyers' performance, from individual- to team-based metrics.
[28:20] More advantages of value-pricing include how it increases cash-flow and releases management and Partner time previously spent on billing disputes.
[30:50] John challenges in-house counsel to participate in the push for law firms to innovate in pricing. Law firms also need more courage to lead.
[34:48] John touches on the loss of trust the profession is facing due to our inability to adapt.
[35:01] John predicts that global law firms will develop or merge into consulting firms which will see a business model shift.
[36:22] John is moving his expertise into the subscription-model of pricing, an exciting new idea that already exists in many items we consume, and helps deliver more options and build stronger client communities for lawyers.
For more on this episode, visit: www.newearthlawyer.com/john-chisholm
In this mini-episode, I talk about 5 ways a lawyer can be of service, available to every practising lawyer, wherever and however and for whomever you work.
Being of service makes us more than good lawyers, it makes us great lawyers.
Martin Luther King, Jr said, ‘Everyone has the power for greatness – not for fame but greatness – because greatness is determined by service.’ All you need to serve, he said, is a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love.
Being of service is the way toward deep personal fulfilment which will lead to better wellbeing, better mental health and better relationships with yourself and everyone in your life.
Show notes:
[1:14] According to Martin Luther King, Jr., service is what makes us great.
[2:49] Every lawyer can be of service, not just those working in specific areas.
[3:15] Service is not the same as sacrifice.
[4:37] First, honour the law.
[6:46] Secondly, appreciate your client.
[9:04] Thirdly, respect your fellow lawyers.
[10:24] Fourthly, value the opportunity to learn.
[11:23] Finally, cherish the opportunity to teach.
I am an experienced corporate lawyer, using the law to build purposeful, human-centred, Earth-friendly legal enterprises & ecosystems, for happier humans and a better planet. I am also the founder and host of the New Earth lawyer podcast.
I am based in Melbourne, Australia. I established my own law practice Geraldine Grace in 2020, focussing on enterprises seeking purpose, and actors in the impact economy.
For more on this episode, please go to the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website:
Marguerite Picard is a collaborative family lawyer who thinks about divorce and all kinds of interpersonal disputes as problems best resolved by building common ground, rather than letting ‘law’ drive people further apart. She talks about her human-centred approach, how she looks for answers beyond the law and works with a team of psychologists, financial planners and other non-lawyers to bring a human touch to divorce and family disputes.
Marguerite is a director of MELCA, which is a one-stop-collaborative-divorce-shop. MELCA is a thought leader in all things divorce and interdisciplinary practice. MELCA's documentary ‘Family is Family’ in which a number of wise souls speak about the many benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to divorce, sums up her approach. MELCA has won many awards and accolades and as of 2021 has offices in Brisbane and Sydney in addition to its Melbourne office.
Marguerite co-wrote, "Breaking Up Without Breaking Down", which talks about how a constructive approach to divorce pays dividends for everyone in a family.
Marguerite's second business is Smart Separation. It was set up to give people a ‘diagnosis’, an action plan, referrals and some of the wisdom of her long years in practice.
Show notes:
[02:17] Marguerite talks about discovering collaborative practice and realising she could work with non-legal experts to deliver a better result for clients from traditional litigation.
[05:09] We talk about law and relationships. Law touches everything including relationships but lawyers claim territory in the realm of interpersonal relationships which we aren't trained for.
[07:54] Collaborative law promotes deep, actual resolution.
[10:25] We discuss MELCA's excellent documentary 'Family is Family' and how collaborative divorce law dramatically improves outcomes for children.
[16:35] Lawyers can lead in the kind of innovation which improves things like access to justice, using our experience as a guide to what serves clients better.
[19:11] Marguerite explains how mediation as it is currently practised often does not offer clients solutions that allow them to express their views, as it is often driven by trying to meet two positions in the centre.
[24:56] Marguerite gives us insight into how coming from a large family gave her an appreciation for resolving conflict in a way that serves justice.
[30:50] Marguerite talks about how important it is to believe in your instincts and make bold change.
[35:27] The pandemic has given us the opportunity to see that change is possible.
[36:48] Marguerite's exciting new project is a 4-part documentary series that will reinvent the whole idea of separation from a human-centred design perspective.
For more on this episode, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
In this mini-episode, I talk about how to establish your personal Values and find your personal Purpose, Mission and Vision. I give you practical tools to help you do this and real-life examples from my own experience.
Setting your Values and your Purpose will help you be more aligned and integrated in life, so you are really bringing your whole self to everything that you do - personally and professionally.
In this episode:
- [2:35] Finding Purpose is a process.
- [4:03] I suggest starting the process with establishing your Values.
- [6:30] Knowing my Values allows me to live an aligned, integrated life and to guide the way I live.
- [8:43] I offer an idea on how to find your personal Purpose, one that worked for me. Your Purpose connects with your passion, so determine what you are passionate about!
- [11:51] Separate from personal Purpose is your Mission - the 'how' as opposed to your 'why'.
- [13:05] Once you know your Purpose and Mission, you can set out your personal Vision.
- [14:29] Finally, make sure to enjoy the journey towards determining your Values, Purpose, Mission and Vision. This is about finding your true self and is the most important work you will do in this lifetime.
I am an experienced corporate lawyer, using the law to build purposeful, human-centred, Earth-friendly legal enterprises & ecosystems, for happier humans and a better planet. I am also the founder and host of the New Earth lawyer podcast.
I am based in Melbourne, Australia. I established my own law practice Geraldine Grace in 2020, focussing on enterprises seeking purpose, and actors in the impact economy.
For more on this episode, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.
J Kim Wright is a genuine legal trailblazer. For over 2 decades, she has been an advocate for systems change in the law. She particularly focuses on a set of values and models called Integrative Law.
From the early 2000s, she has attended dozens of events and conferences and studied a number of innovative legal practices: holistic law, therapeutic jurisprudence, law and creative problem-solving, sacred activism, humanising legal education, plain language, PISLAP, ADR , mediation, collaborative law, restorative justice, non-violent communication, and more. In her work, she decided to pull those silo-ed common themes together.
Thirteen years ago, to focus on her mission she gave up her house and law practice and went on the road. She has built relationships and communities on 6 continents.
Kim has been named by the American Bar Association as a Legal Rebel and has written two bestselling books published by the ABA: Lawyers as Peacemakers: Practicing Holistic, Problem-Solving Law and Lawyers as Changemakers: The Global Integrative Law Movement.
She is a coach & consultant, a leader in Conscious Contracts, a speaker & trainer, a lawyer & mediator, and a specialist in systems change. As an author she has another 2 books due to be published soon: Trauma-Informed Law: A Primer for Lawyers and Lawyers as Designers. She is an educator and adjunct professor and a connector for lawyers all over the world who are changing the paradigm of legal practice.
Show Notes:
[03:56] Kim shares her lightbulb moment when after graduating from law school and discovering that most lawyers were 'jerks', she realised there was another way.
[08:32] Kim explains 'conscious contracts' and their potential to change lawyering across the board.
[16:13] We discuss how the movement of Integrative Law has changed since Kim became part of it.
[23:27] Kim expands on her systems change work and her conclusion that the old legal system is dying and a new system is emerging.
[24:03] As an old system dies, there is a need for 'hospicing' it. One of Kim's new books is on trauma-informed law, - an example of exposing the failings of the old system. We can all be better lawyers by recognising and appreciating trauma in our clients and ourselves.
[26:50] Kim's other new book is about designing the new legal system, finding new ways of interacting and being cross-disciplinary.
[29:25] Lawyers have the gift of analytical skills and training and by adding our humanity to that, we can develop the 'law plus' model.
[30:22] We share about the concept of 'starting where you are', for lawyers who want to change.
[33:39] For lawyers embarking on a transformational journey, finding a coach is valuable, as is a buddy, therapist, mentor or support group. The key is to find someone to help you figure out the path and provide structure.
[36:18] Internal work is how lawyers can get onto the path of change. Lawyers can take a long time to recognise and address internal chaos.
[38:28] Kim considers what about her personality made her a changemaker - being a mother at heart and expressing the mother archetype and wanting to make the world a better place; being not afraid to dream big!
[40:11] Spirituality ('integrity, purpose and joy in action') guides Kim. She is 'on purpose', always realigning and addicted to her joy.
[41:38] Kim reveals why lawyers are really magicians!
[44:32] Kim talks about her next project - teaming up with multi-disciplinary groups to effect systems change.
For resources and links and more on this episode, check out the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website: