In Practice with ALPMA

This episode was recorded during an ALPMA Member Connect session on May 12 2020, and features Dion Cusack of K&L Gates and Chair of the ALPMA National Board.

For some firms, having a mental health first aid officer is now as essential as the traditional first aid officer role. But there is still work to be done to make this the norm across all industries and all workplaces.  Within the general community there is a high prevalence of mental illness with 1 in 5 people suffering in the workplace however, there is an even higher incidence in the legal workplace with 1 in 3 lawyers, at any one stage, suffering depression, high anxiety and stress.  Early recognition of signs and symptoms can lead to a return to usual performance quickly and can alleviate the problems worsening.  In this episode, ALPMA member Cathy Reynolds shares her insights into what it is like being a mental health first aid officer and the benefits it brings to her firm.

From the Facebook Like to countless other brilliant ideas, hackathons have been used to drive innovation by businesses across many different industries. Myles Tehan leads team through that process and joins us today to share exactly what a hackathon is, why they work, and why you should use one for your firm.

A healthy economy thrives as a result of productive, profitable workplaces, yet it seems Australia has entered a peak productivity crisis, with burned out, disengaged front lines resulting in reduced profitability and stalled innovation. So what are the implications for legal firms? To answer that question, Sam Nickless of Gilbert and Tobin and Trevor Armstrong of Ricoh are sharing their thoughts about how Australian business need to address the looming productivity crisis.

The #METOO movement has had a significant impact on the legal profession and it is now more important than ever for firms to reflect on their culture and to build a positive working environment. In this episode, former lawyer, whistleblower and #METOO advocate Olivia Wensley joins us to talk about the importance of creating positive work cultures in the legal profession and the rising awareness around issues of gender equality, bullying and sexual harassment.

Attending a conference like the ALPMA Summit is the perfect opportunity to learn about industry trends, gain new skills, network with your peers and make new connections. But it can be overwhelming. To get the most out of the experience it helps to be equipped with more than just your business cards. In this episode we’re sharing tips on how to get the most out of attending a conference with our special guest Ann-Maree David, the co-chair of the 2019 ALPMA Summit committee.

The way we work is changing. Particularly within the legal profession, the challenge of balancing demands can lead to burn out. To help teams and individuals perform at their best, we need to create environments where they can thrive, doing their best thinking while they engage with passion. In this episode, Tony Wilson joins us to talk about how peak performance and how to create balance without burning out.

Business development is not just for salespeople. In many law firms, professionals are now expected to actively contribute to the business development process. But for those who are new to business development, it can be an uncomfortable transition, particularly when they feel they will be expected to sell. In this episode, we are joined by business development advisor Michael Schiffner who shares his insights on how professionals can develop their business development skills without feeling like they are selling.

Within the general community there is a high prevalence of mental illness with one in five people suffering in the workplace however, there is an even higher incidence in the legal workplace with one in three lawyers, at any one stage, suffering depression, high anxiety and stress. Early recognition of signs and symptoms can lead to a return to usual performance quickly and can alleviate the problems worsening. Would you know how to assist a co-worker who is experiencing a mental health problem? In this episode of In Practice with ALPMA, we’re joined by mental health first aid instructor Catherine Stokes to discuss why your firm needs a mental health first aid officer.

If attending a conference like the 2019 ALPMA Summit is one of your goals this year, you may need to get approval from a key decision maker in your firm. In addition to the financial considerations, you’ll also be out of the office for the duration and that can impact day to day workflow as well. In this episode of In Practice with ALPMA we’re sharing tips on how to get the green light to attend a conference with our special guest long-time ALPMA member Cathy Reynolds, general manager, Clarke Kann Lawyers in Brisbane.

ALPMA's new podcast is inspired by the themes at the upcoming ALPMA 2019 Summit: Road Map to Transformation – Move Forward with Confidence. Operating within a rapidly changing industry can be daunting and even more so without a clear framework in place. Throughout the first season of In Practice with ALPMA we’ll be speaking with industry experts to get their guidance about how to approach the changing world we live in and the answers to critical questions that will help define your pathway forward. Beyond its annual summit, ALPMA is the authoritative voice on issues relevant to legal practice management and is the peak body representing managers and lawyers with a legal practice management role. Members of ALPMA provide professional management services to legal practices in areas of financial management, strategic management, technology, human resources, facilities and operational management, marketing and information services and technology.