Advertise on podcast: Smarter Lawcast with Hall & Wilcox

Getting diverse talent through the door is only the beginning. Creating genuine inclusion means ensuring people have the support, opportunities and sponsorship to build careers, progress and lead.Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by Keerthi Ravi, Senior Legal Counsel at PWC and founder of Diverse Women in Law to explore the relationship between cultural identity and belonging, why representation alone isn’t enough and the role leaders can play in backing diverse talent for the long term.

WA’s workers' compensation scheme has been rewritten from the ground up – and for self-insurers, the new framework leaves little room for missed deadlines or technical mistakes. From tighter liability decision timeframes to stricter settlement and notice requirements, getting the process right matters. Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Special Counsel Megan Cramp to explore how the reforms are playing out in practice, including changes to psychological injury claims, tax treatment of settlements and why strong systems and early evidence gathering are more important than ever.

What does it mean when someone feels they need to change their name to fit in? The stories behind our names can reveal powerful insights about identity, culture and the experiences that shape us. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by Diana Yaqco and Jade Tillekeratne to explore the personal and professional significance of names, why some people choose to adapt or change them, and how curiosity and respect can help createworkplaces where people feel they belong.

Workers’ compensation reforms are changing the expectations on self-insurers in Queensland and South Australia, but with little judicial guidance so far, navigating the new landscape isn’t straight forward. Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Partner Angela Brookes and Special Counsel Ben Clarke to explore what the reforms mean in practice and why early intervention, clear communication and good documentation can make all the difference.

More than two years after Victoria workers’ compensation reforms took effect, some of the biggest questions remain unanswered. With little judicial guidance on key tests for mental injury and ongoing weekly payments, self-insurers are still navigating plenty of grey. Hall & Wilcox Partners Ilona Strong and Andrew Stamp unpack the areas still causing headaches in practice, from determining what constitutes a mental injury and its predominant cause to approaching 130-week reviews, and why sometimes self-insurers need to look beyond the medical report and make their own judgment call.

Getting someone’s name right is about more than respect – it’s a reflection of the culture we create and the value we place on belonging. While small moments matter, lasting inclusion also depends on representation, curiosity andleadership. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠⁠ is joined by StephenAkinsanya, a London-based criminal barrister, to explore why names matter in the legal profession, the importance of representation at senior levels, and how individuals can help build more inclusive workplaces.

A major shake-up to psychological injury claims is now in effect in New South Wales. From new eligibility thresholds to a different approach for trauma and conduct claims, the reforms have significant implications for employers. Hall & Wilcox Partner Ilona Strong and Special Counsel Belinda Walsh explain what has changed and where organisations should focus first.

Getting someone’s name right is one of simplest ways to build trust, but it’s something the legal profession doesn’t always get right. The way we recognise, and respect people’s identities can shape their experience of the legal system, strengthen client relationships and foster a more inclusive profession. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠ is joined by Teagan Naidu, criminal solicitor at Marrickville Legal Centre, to explore why names matter in legal practice and what individuals can do to create more inclusive experiences for clients and colleagues.

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher continue their discussion on how artificial intelligence is impacting legal professional privilege, exploring how AI is changing litigation practice in the United States and what this means for Australia. They examine judicial guidance, the implications of AI-assisted legal work and the practical considerations for lawyers using AI in litigation.

Creating inclusive workplaces starts with the choices each of us makes every day. From the language we use to the assumptions we make, small actions can have a lasting impact on whether people feel they belong. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by James d’Apice, founder of Gravamen and creator of Coffee and a Case Note, to explore how the role individuals play in fostering inclusion, the responsibility that can come with relative privilege and how moving beyond good intentions can help drive meaningful cultural change.

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher discuss how US courts are responding to artificial intelligence and what Australian lawyers can learn from these developments. They explore the landmark United States v Heppner decision, whether AI should be treated as a third party and the implications for confidentiality and legal professional privilege that flow from this catalyst decision.

Fay Calderone is joined by Hall & Wilcox Chief Executive Partner Graydon Dowd and employment partner Alison Baker to discuss what great leadership looks like in today’s increasingly complex workplace environment. From psychosocial safety and high performance to communication, resilience and workplace culture, this episode explores how leaders can support their people through ongoing change while building safe, engaged and high-performing teams.

Fay Calderone is joined by partners Emily Harvey and Suzie Leask to discuss how leaders can navigate workplace transformation amid rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and growing employee expectations. From AI governance and board accountability to psychological safety and workforce trust, this episode explores the leadership, governance and people considerations organisations should be thinking about as they adapt to disruption and the future of work.

Seun Idowu and Sewar Mitanis discuss the connectionbetween names, cultural identity and professional experience. They explore the realities of having a name that is often mispronounced, the impact of assumptions in the workplace, and how experiences of bias and belonging canshape how individuals show up at work.

Fay Calderone is joined by Sean Sullivan and Clare Kerley to discuss reasonable management action and the challenges employers face when managing performance, conduct and workplace complaints. They explore common misconceptions, why workplace issues often escalate into legal claims and how employers can balance fairness, process and communication when managing difficult situations.