Tasman Ash Fleming, barrister, nationally accredited mediator (AMDRAS), and adjunct lecturer at the College of Law, has decades of experience in commercial and wills and estates litigation, formal training in negotiation at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, and a practice that spans both advocacy and mediation. He is well placed to explain how Victoria built one of Australia's most developed mediation cultures, why it works, and what it genuinely demands of the practitioners operating within it.

Should I start my own firm? It’s a thrilling yet terrifying prospect for anyone, but as barriers to entry ease, it’s also an increasingly popular alternative to climbing the career ladder within someone else’s organisation. So, what does starting a firm actually look like? We caught up with James D’Apice, who has committed to documenting the messy, behind-the-scenes reality of building his own firm, Gravamen.

We’ve distilled the top nine skills (across four themes) that every lawyer should be building, whether you’re two years PQE or twenty.

The College of Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Monique Pearson as Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand. Monique joins the College from the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ), where she has served as Executive Director since January 2024. Her executive career includes leadership roles with AMINZ, EY, PwC and academyEX, spanning professional services, education and member-based organisations.

Professor Kyoung-sun Min shares how JBNU students developed confidence, critical thinking and global perspectives through international learning and problem-based learning in Sydney.

Concerns about undue influence and mental capacity feature large in wills and estates practice. Here to unpack the practical red flags, interview techniques, and drafting-stage safeguards is Linda Hart, College lecturer, Principal at Solace Legal, Accredited Specialist (Wills & Estates), and a TEP. Linda outlines how to identify capacity concerns early, manage family pressure in the room, and build a defensible process that protects both client and practitioner if the estate is later contested.

The NSW Government has introduced the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, and for practitioners working in property, strata and construction law, the implications are significant. The Bill modernises property laws, strengthens regulatory powers across the building and conveyancing sectors, and clarifies the legislative framework for Decennial Liability Insurance.

The 2026 Australian Legal Salary Survey is now open and we invite legal professional to take part. Every response strengthens the insights and helps build a clearer understanding of the issues that matter most to legal professionals.