This session was recorded on 19 March 2024 as part of the Property law: One day intensive - live webinar.

Leaving no room for error: Best practice drafting for put and call option deeds – Spyridon Augoustinos, Associate, Green & Associates Solicitors

In this session you will learn:  

• About the implications of recent changes to conveyancing regulations and the NSW stamp duty regime and potential pitfalls and alternatives to entering into option deeds that may be relevant to your clients 
• To use precise language when drafting clauses dealing with grantor and grantee obligations  
• To draft favourable clauses for a property developer client entering into a call option arrangement such as extension, nomination, interdependent contracts, caveat, early access and facilitation of DA clauses  
• To draft favourable clauses for option grantors, such as grantee provision of security deposits and option extension fees being paid in addition the purchase price 
• About recent case studies and option deed disputes which reflect the important of precise option drafting. 

This session was recorded on 9 March 2024 as part of the Focus on sole practice: Mandatory rule 6.1- live webinar.

Business Development skills for solo practitioners – Alistair Marshall, Director, Professional Services Business Development

In this session Alistair Marshall will cover proven, simple and effective marketing and business development ideas to drive profitability. 

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

Communicating effectively with non-lawyers, including decision makers – Ali Dibbenhall, Head of Legal, Asia Pacific, LexisNexis 

Transform legal advice into clear, compelling communications. In this 1-hour workshop for in-house counsel, learn proven techniques to actively listen, tailor your style for any audience, craft crisp written communications, and handle sensitive conversations. Whether you're new or seasoned, gain confidence in communicating legal risks and recommendations effectively to business stakeholders.

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

Client interviewing skills: the art of obtaining instructions – Heather McKinnon, Partner, Bryant McKinnon Lawyers 

Practitioners should inform themselves of Rule 6.1 of the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 which sets out the requirements for the four (4) mandatory CPD areas for NSW legal practitioners – (a) ethics and professional responsibility; (b) practice management and business skills; (c) professional skills; and (d) substantive law. It is the responsibility of each legal practitioner to self-assess as to whether a particular educational activity extends their knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to their practice needs or professional development. If so, then the practitioner may claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. 

In this back-to-basics presentation, the President of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal, Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman, and Deputy President (Forensic Division), Magistrate Michael Antrum, will guide participants through the essentials. 

The presenters will traverse the principal issues that are confronted in the Civil and Forensic divisions of the Tribunal and will provide insights into working with the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020. Practical aspects surrounding representation of patients, making relevant submissions and navigating Tribunal procedure and practice will be covered. 

For practitioners new to the jurisdiction or those thinking about it, this will be an invaluable introduction. For experienced lawyers, the session will provide an opportunity to brush up on the basics. 

In this session, John Turnbull SC will discuss:

• The importance of understanding the legislative basis upon which damages can be awarded.
• Relevant factors to consider in relation to non-economic loss, including judicial subjectivity and the clear identification of assessment parameters.
• Tips and essentials skills for reading and interpreting financial records.

This session was recorded on Wednesday 20 September 2023 as part of the Buzzwords: Generative - live webinar.

Generative AI has been generating a bit of buzz recently. In this session, we will discuss its opportunities and challenges for lawyers, and explore how existing legal obligations can and should be applied to this technology.

Our expert panel will elaborate on various aspects related to generative AI and its impact on legal practice, including:

• What is generative AI, its current landscape, and use within the law,     
• How to avoid new risks that emerge from its use,
• Whether generative AI might be engaging in legal practice and who is responsible when something goes wrong,
• Its current and future impact on the legal profession, including business models and pricing of legal services. 

Get the buzz on generative AI.

We are pleased to deliver this on-demand recording complimentary to members.

Panel Moderator Anneka Ferguson, Senior Lecturer with the UNSW Practical Legal Training Program, Solicitor of Walker Gibbs and King, Member of the Law Society of NSW Ethics Committee

Tom Dreyfus, CEO, Co-founder Josef

Aggie Maisano, General Counsel, Gadens Lawyers, Member of the Law Society of NSW Ethics Committee

Clayton Noble, Senior Corporate Counsel, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand

Lindsay O’Connor, Head of Core Product – Pacific, LexisNexis

Jennie Pakula Manager, Innovation and Consumer Engagement Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner

Bruno Solia, Partner, MinterEllison

Dr Dilan Thampapillai, Dean and Head of School, The School of Law, the University of Wollongong

This session was recorded on Tuesday 18 July 2023 as part of the Buzzwords: Growth mindset - live webinar.

Lawyers traditionally develop a fixed mindset throughout their training and practice, which can lead to being overly risk-averse, perfectionistic, and fearing failure. Professionals who adopt a growth mindset can better adapt to disruption and change by seeing it as an opportunity to grow. 

Our panel will explore and discuss the following: 

•    What is a growth mindset?

•    How a growth mindset can prepare you for change and innovation.

•    Why a growth mindset is essential for successful leadership at all levels and how to develop it.

•    How can we benefit from a growth mindset within the legal practice?

We are pleased to deliver this on-demand recording complimentary to members.

Michael Bunting, Founder, The Mindful Leader 

Sue Rosen, Executive Coach, Sue Rosen Executive Coaching

Tim Sprague, Executive Coach/Psychologist, The Coaching Practice 

Panel Moderator Simonette Vaja, Wellbeing Manger, The Law Society of NSW