Before the year ends, clear more than your desk - give yourself a break

Learn how Jess Grumelart forged a career in family law through a chance encounter at a careers fair - and an LLM in Applied Law (Family Law). We spoke to Jess about her road to family law, how her LLM helped her connect to a community of supportive family lawyers, and what advice she might have for lawyers wondering to align their legal career with their interests and passions.

Ellie Scarf's clients include major multinational law firms and global organisations. Insights spoke to Ellie about what her role involves, and what advice she might have for lawyers and leaders keen to hit peak performance.

Imposter Syndrome haunts the competent, yet rarely troubles those who could probably do with a healthy dose of self-doubt. It’s a state of being all too familiar for many lawyers, and one of the most common that performance coach and former CEO of Squire Patton Boggs, John Poulsen, sees in his work. In this interview, we explore the roots of imposter syndrome and how legal professionals and legal organisations can overcome imposter syndrome with awareness, values alignment, and purpose.

Family law is in high demand, but the career path isn’t always clear. This article maps out your options – from CPD to postgraduate study and mediation – so you can see which step matches your stage and goals.

What is it really like to be a Wills and Estates lawyer? We spoke to Phillip Briffa, an award-winning Wills and estates lawyer, about what his daily workload looks like. Along with some of the more memorable requests that he receives daily.

It’s a common question: how do you become an in-house lawyer? Is there a good time to make the move? How do you prepare, via secondments or other relevant experience? What qualities make a great in-house lawyer?

In-house is a very different environment to a law firm, especially as most in-house teams are still relatively small – often between three to six lawyers.

We caught up with Chris Bland, a seasoned solicitor, general counsel and principal of Legal Tradecraft Consulting who shares his top 5 commercial drafting strategies. 

Often touted as a lawyer’s secret weapon for success, perfectionism can boost productivity and improve your case results. But there is a shadow to this trait. We spoke with Shona Rowan on how to spot, harness and tackle perfectionism – for a constructive and sustained legal career. 

Reset your legal career in five practical steps. Learn how to refocus, pivot or regain direction with insights from College of Law career strategists.

Explore the full legal learning pathway – from CPD to postgraduate study – and discover how the College of Law supports your career at every stage.

A wrath of changes will be imposed upon Queensland legal practitioners, real estate agents, landlords, and mortgagees when the Property Law Act 2023 comes into effect on 1 August 2025. According to Tara Cush, College of Law lecturer Queensland, there will be the need to use specific forms to meet obligations under the new Act.

Managing professional development across a team can be overwhelming. Deadlines loom, client demands grow, and compliance remains non-negotiable. Training shouldn’t add to the stress—it should empower your team to thrive.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 10 December 2024. These amendments are a result of recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, the Australian Law Reform Commission’s review of the family law system as well as feedback from stakeholders. These recommendations include changes to provisions concerning companion animals, taking a less adversarial approach, disclosure, divorce, protected confidences, and costs orders.

Remote wills can be a useful tool. Justice McMillan in the Victorian Supreme Court authority Re Curtis gave guidance on the requirements of the remote execution procedure under s8A of the Wills Act 1997 (Vic). Tasman Ash Fleming, barrister and nationally accredited mediator (AMDRAS) and adjunct lecturer at the College of Law, provides commentary on this significant case.

Obtaining clear instructions from your client may seem like a straightforward requirement as a lawyer. However, this can be easier said than done if a client is in a fraught emotional state (and if they are seeing a lawyer this may be the case) or if there are differences in culture. Special Counsel Olamide Kowalik knows this all too well, as part of the Springwood-based Revolution Law team, Olamide advises clients from a wide range of backgrounds. We asked for Olamide’s advice on navigating these issues in order to gain clear instructions. 

The College delves into the strategies and tactics that lawyers can employ to effectively negotiate salary and conditions. Drawing on insights from certified Executive and Leadership Coach Sue Billen and Mahlab Managing Director Lisa Gazis, we'll explore how to build a strong case for your worth, understand market trends, and navigate the complexities of negotiating with potential employers.

Navigating the legal world requires a sharp mind and empathy – especially in matters of succession law. Krystal Bellamy, a Special Counsel at HopgoodGanim Lawyers and College of Law LLM graduate, naturally embodies these traits, which have served her well as a Wills and Estates lawyer. Krystal shares the key to thriving in what some would consider a ‘morbid’ field.

Managing stress and improving your mental health can help you live a better life - in all areas of your life. John Poulsen, former CEO of Squire Patton Boggs, shares some of his research into the role stress plays in our lives, both necessary and unnecessary, and shares his top 12 stress-busting tactics he has observed successful people adopt.

With over 875 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has become an indispensable platform for professionals. For lawyers, it's swiftly becoming an essential tool to network, grow a strong professional profile, and generate business. But how do you set yourself apart? In this article we catch up with College of Law National Career Strategists Susan Pincus and Ruth Beran to better understand the benefits of LinkedIn for lawyers.

The College of Law has written an eBook guide to thriving as a lawyer, featuring 10 practical tips for new lawyers.

With the rise of online learning, it’s easier than ever to collect your CPD points at a time – and place – that suits you. Not all online courses are created equal. So how do you know if an online, or on-demand course will stack up? Here we explore the six markers of an excellent on-demand legal course.

Adeline Schiralli, Consulting Principal at Keypoint Law (NSW), is a master of Wills and Estates law. Literally. Adeline traces her journey to specialisation, highlighting the College of Law’s LLM as a crucial step to accreditation.

The International Bar Association, The College of Law Australia and The Legal Policy & Research Unit have collaborated to develop a set of e-learning modules designed to assist individuals and organisations make the changes recommended by the 2019 landmark report Us Too? Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession. 

Kiarah embodies the archetype of a lifelong learner – and she’s kindly shared her career tips from a serial student

The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC is no stranger to conflict. Having served for nearly sixteen years as a judge on the Family Court of Australia, Robert has also been a Commissioner for Tasmania’s Inquiry into Government Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. It’s a career that has seen him navigate the complex human dynamics of the courtroom. Robert shares his practical framework to navigate tricky conversations, specifically designed to help lawyers deliver unwelcome news to clients.

Leading firms use the EOFY to plan their CPD for the year ahead. Follow their lead and invest in a smarter CPD strategy: one platform, one fee, 120+ courses.

We shed light on the significant changes coming to off-the-plan contract legislation is property specialist and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Greg Stilianou. Greg explains the key details around the proposed reforms, how they aim to rebalance power between developers and purchasers, and offers practical advice for legal practitioners and consumers.

Australia's new tort of privacy, which came into effect in June 2025, will impact 90% of Australian businesses previously exempt from privacy regulation. The tort introduces new requirements around the "serious invasion" test, journalism defences, and a challenging one-year limitation period. We spoke to Matthew Hodgkinson, Managing Partner of Papillon Technology and Privacy Lawyers, who breaks down the five core elements lawyers must prove under the new tort.

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

Discover how Vicky used a double major in Business Law and Property Law to accelerate her legal career, build specialist expertise and deliver stronger outcomes for clients.

To prepare you for what’s next, let’s unpack the College of Law’s 5 most popular on-demand CPD Digital Subscription courses. It’s the best way to keep your skills sharp – and your mind engaged.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 transformed how property matters are handled in family law proceedings as it took effect on 10 June 2025. These amendments represent the most significant changes to property settlement, introducing new considerations to property adjustment framework. We caught up with family lawyer Kathryn Kearley to discuss these changes, particularly the amendments in property adjustment and financial cases.

Mortgagee sales may be alluring to many property bargain hunters. However, hidden within the troubled title deeds of mortgagee sales can be caveats that can hinder the sale, or even more significantly impact subsequent buyers. We spoke to property lawyer Greg Stilianou to uncover what issues might impact mortgagee sales, why it’s important to address caveats early on, and what lawyers need to know when providing advice on a mortgagee sale.  

If you’re only doing CPD to stay compliant, you’re missing out. The real power of professional development is about building the skills, confidence, and expertise that make you stand out (along with staying up-to-date of course).

Restrictive covenants on property titles can become outdated relics that hinder development and create unnecessary burdens for owners. Here to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of property law is property specialist and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Greg Stilianou. Greg explains the common types of obsolete covenants, legal pathways for their removal, and potential reforms that could streamline the process for property owners.

In this article, we outline five simple strategies to help you choose your postgraduate subjects wisely. So your study pathway supports your career, your lifestyle – and your future.

The new year brings the chance to take a step back and assess where you want your career to go. For many lawyers, the public sector presents an opportunity to explore impactful policymaking. However, if private practice has dominated your career, the application process for the public sector can be daunting and, for the uninitiated, a little opaque. This can be true too even for career public servants.

We caught up with Jonathon Naef, co-founder of multi-award winning boutique firm, Balance Family Law, to find out how he built the firm’s Wills & Estates team in response to both current and coming client demand in the space. It turns out family law and wills and estates can make the winning service combination…

How do you transcend the daily grind to do work you love? When can a career become a calling? What steps can you take to achieve the career you want? We spoke to John Poulsen, former CEO of Squire Patton Boggs and Principal of People Passion Performance, for his insights on getting the career you want informed by an illustrious career in law and leadership.

Following a series of reviews of the family law system, on 22 August 2024 the Australian Government introduced the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 into the Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill sets out very significant amendments, including those relating to property settlements, pet custody and children’s arrangements, which aim to modernise and improve the family law system in Australia.

For 50 years, the College of Law has led the way in practical legal education.

We stand in our own lane – empowering practitioners to become the best lawyers they can be. How? With innovative, hands-on training that evolves with the demands of the legal profession.

Our CPD Digital Subscription is built on this legacy.

To prepare you for what’s next, let’s unpack the College of Law’s 5 most popular on-demand CPD Digital Subscription courses. It’s the best way to keep your skills sharp – and your mind engaged.

What does it mean to be successful? Her Honour Magistrate Michelle Harries, former Assistant Director and lecturer at the College of Law WA, shares her insights at the PLT Excellence Awards Evening. The following is an extract from Her Honour’s speech.

LLM graduate Ilvana Nanic shares why she finds family law so rewarding, and her advice to lawyers interested in studying The College of Law LLM.

Explore how an LLM helped best graduating student (commercial litigation) Dominique Mayo advance her career.

Jo Bragg, a solicitor in regional Tasmania, started as a generalist lawyer. Her personal experience of separation, along with increasing client demand, prompted her to move into family law. Insights spoke to Jo about what attracted her to family law, what her day-to-day life looks like in practice, and her advice for lawyers looking to move into the area.

For legal practitioners in Wills & Estates, finding clear ways to consider and assess mental capacity in a variety of situations is crucial. We spoke to College of Law Lecturer Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth, and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. Josephine shares key elements from the Law Council of Australia’s Best Practice Guide for Legal Practitioners on Assessing Mental Capacity or ‘the BPG’.

The Law Society of New South Wales and the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales have just released the 2026 edition of the Standard Contract for Sale and Purchase of Land, and practitioners need to act before the 31 May 2026 deadline.

The College of Law recognised over 200 graduates of its Postgraduate Specialisation Programs at the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony on 1 August. These awards included the Master of Laws (Applied Law), Master of Applied Law (Family Law), Graduate Diplomas of Applied Law and Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP).

Embarking on a legal career in local, state, or federal government can be an exciting move. There are many pathways for development, a broad range of practice areas, and often a healthy work-life balance. These roles are highly rewarding, and highly competitive, the College of Law tells you everything you need to know about landing a government job in law.

Graduates and prize winners celebrated their achievements, received their awards and honours remotely due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

There’s no doubt the legal sector can be an intense work environment. Thanks to heavy caseloads and fierce competition, lawyers and other legal professionals are facing stress, anxiety and burnout on a concerning scale. But according to executive transition coach and CEO at Lucent Global, Ellie Scarf, it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s one tool that can help you manage a plethora of professional challenges. That tool? Self-awareness.

Rick Christie, owner of ChristieLaw and committee member of STEP NSW, had always been attracted to the personal side of wills and estates. Insights spoke to Rick about how he came to specialise in wills and estates, what advice he might have for lawyers looking to move into the area, and what role industry organisation STEP can play for lawyers keen to become specialists.

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.

In Australia, we've now legislated the ‘Right to Disconnect’. On paper, this means you have a lawful right to mute Teams, shut down your computer, and leave calls for the next working day. In practice, anyone who has ever had to deliver to a deadline knows how easily this boundary erodes. But what’s more significant is what the legislation signals: a growing move to protect people's psychosocial well-being. Sam Shosanya, General Manager of FrontTier, the College's leadership accelerator, sees this expectation as an opportunity for firms.

Legal entrepreneurs have always played a vital role in Australia. Building innovation within business models or practice management software, to automation and AI, and once tested and fully realised locally, taking it to global markets. We look at five entrepreneurs reshaping legal practice in Australia, and how they got their start. If you’re interested in legal innovation, technology or entrepreneurship, these stories may inspire you to tinker on your own projects or venture forth on your own.

During National Children's Week, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia launched two groundbreaking initiatives aimed at placing children at the heart of family law processes. We spoke to family lawyer and College of Law adjunct lecturer Kathryn Kearley, to guide us through these important changes.

How do we break the productivity addiction cycle? How do we find the focus to do meaningful work well and not cram our days full with too many things to do? To explore this, we spoke to Donna McGeorge, a productivity expert and author of Red Brick Thinking - a bold new call to simplify work by removing what no longer adds value.

Refine your family law advocacy skills with a flexible, cost-effective digital certificate. Practical, industry-recognised – and career-enhancing. Enrol today.

Brid Heffernan has grown through legal recruitment, litigation ops and support, and legaltech - the quintessential business of law. We caught up with Brid to trace her unlikely and impressive trajectory and experience with The College of Law.

Max recounts his path to discovering his passion in Wills and Estates – and how the College of Law helped him along the way.

Learn how Carmel Morrison returned to study with an LLM, and Specialist Accreditation.

In a profession built on advocacy, lawyers can be terrible at advocating for themselves, instead relying on the adage, "let your work speak for itself". So, how do you promote yourself without sounding inauthentic and ‘salesy’? With insights from Ruth Beran and Susan Pincus, National Career Strategists at the College of Law Australia, we reveal how to transform cringe-worthy humblebrags into authentic career positioning.

Everyone approaches CPD differently. We’ve rounded up six of the most common CPD personalities. Where do you land?

From poisonous mushrooms to hallucinating AI, to the social media ban and the Family Law Amendment Act… it’s been a busy year for lawmakers and courts. We reflect on the major legal moments that defined 2025.

The mediation profession in Australia has changed. For the first time, experienced mediators can gain formal recognition beyond initial accreditation. This article unpacks the new AMDRAS framework, what it means for your career, and how the College of Law’s Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate can help you step up with confidence.

Running your own law firm isn’t for the faint-hearted. Yes, you’re your own boss. But with great power comes great responsibility. And that means wearing a lot of hats.  

Let’s unpack 5 of the most important skills – and corresponding on-demand CPD courses – that sole practitioners can’t do without.

  Major reforms to South Australia’s succession laws came into force on 1 January 2025. The new year saw the repeal of three Acts (the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) and the Wills Act 1936 (SA)), replacing these with a single Succession Act 2023. These are the most significant changes to be made in 30 years, Lawyer Megan Horsell outlines what you need to know.    

  Jahan Kalantar understands the rules of the legal game to a tee and has led a prodigiously impressive career. Jahan has been a barrister, TEDx talker, criminal litigator, and most recently, Managing Partner at Executive Legal, a firm he founded. We caught up with Jahan ahead of the release of his first book, ‘Talk Your Way Out Of Trouble.’  

Learn why senior associate Alexandra Brand studied legal business subjects to improve her knowledge of marketing, pricing, strategy, and client service.

The work of a lawyer can be demanding, and not simply in an intellectual sense. Emotional stakes can run high, and client trauma may intertwine with a practitioner’s own psychological well-being. The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC offers invaluable insights on the essential skill of professional debriefing.

How did principal of Divorce Legal and College of Law lecturer, Selina Nikoloudakis, open her practice doors with a full client roster? She credits consistent networking and the power of authentic connection. We spoke to Selina to learn more about her journey, and her advice for lawyers navigating their mid-career years.

True confidence isn't about having all the answers — it's about trusting yourself to find them. Lara Wentworth, a performance coach who works with legal professionals, understands this deeply. She shares practical mindset shifts that build confidence, daily practices that strengthen self-belief, and the story of a sole practitioner who transformed her entire practice by learning to trust her own capability.

John Poulsen, founder of People, Passion and Performance, was once a top solicitor and leader of law firms. Starting his career in 1984 and now nearly 40 years later, he left behind the luxury and stress. Now, he's happier than ever. We spoke with John about his journey and his mission to redefine success.

We congratulate and celebrate the success of the most recent graduates of our Postgraduate Specialisation Programs. These achievements demonstrate the culmination of hard work, diligence and commitment to mastery of their chosen area of law.

How to manage imposter phenomenon in the law. Coach Sue Billen has spent most of her career helping professionals perform at their best and in the law imposter phenomenon is all too prevalent.

The ‘Best Practice: Family Law Tips by Registrars for Practitioners’ is a podcast series where judges and registrars from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia slip out from behind the bench to share practical insights observed from their unique view of family law across Australia

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.

You probably won't clear every matter before you finish for the year, but that is okay, give yourself permission to leave some things for January. Before you close the laptop, use this reset guide to set yourself up for the New Year. Capture what matters, choose your first steps and give yourself a better chance of taking a proper break.

The College of Law is spearheading legal education in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) space working closely with government and industry in the ASEAN region. The partnership with Austrade addresses the increasing demand for ESG training from ASEAN nations as they look to meet their transboundary obligations and work towards a more sustainable future.

Working in law is competitive at every level let alone for those with a disability. Improving inclusivity, and at the most basic level improving the way we talk about disability in the workplace, is something the legal sector needs to actively address.  

Make 2025 your most productive year yet with the CPD Digital Subscription. Access 140+ courses anytime, anywhere – stress-free compliance made simple.

From practical legal guides on cross-qualifying in the US and UK markets to insights on working with neurodivergent clients, our top ten legal stories highlight the profession's commitment to adaptation and excellence. As we head into 2025, these stories paint a picture of a profession in transition, where understanding the diverse needs of our clients matters as much as updates to the law itself. Let’s explore what captured your attention in 2024.

Learn what it’s like to work in criminal and domestic violence law with Belinda Robinson, who runs her own practice on the Sunshine Coast.

Smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, smart watch… this list of ‘things’ that will purportedly make us more connected and more in touch with our world continues to expand. We must not waste a minute of our time, so in a past where we might once have fantasised about a tropical holiday while commuting to work or reading a book for leisure, we are now answering those emails that require only a short response in order to save time later…? Save time for what…dare we ask?

It is time for Australian lawyers to become better connected with our regional neighbours, says Diligent Corporation's Asia Pacific Legal Counsel, Haylen Pong. Her role at Diligent, a modern governance company, requires frequent interaction with stakeholders, legal counterparts and other commercial interests across in APAC region.

Barrister and international arbitrator Martin Polaine has worked in over 80 countries. Learn how you can qualify as an international arbitrator with this College of Law pathways to CIArb membership.