Canvas learning management system security update

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. 

No law firm succeeds without referrals, but new firms often struggle due to a limited client base. To overcome this, many firms partner with related businesses or more established firms. We've compiled four tips to help you to grow your firm through referral partnerships, to establish your reputation and a steady client flow.

Ian Aldridge, Principal, Progressive Legal, recently opened a sole practice. As a follow on from our previous article Single and Ready to Mingle – Tips for Becoming a Sole Practitioner we asked Ian to reflect on his recent personal experience to provide tips for lawyers who have also decided to open a small practice.

What skills matter most to lawyers? As lawyers’ careers progress, technical expertise develops alongside an ability to ‘read’ what a client wants, needs or might not be saying, as well as other skills like negotiation and business development. Yet the ability to make good decisions is often overlooked as a key skill of good lawyers. 

Don’t we all just love to watch those onscreen lawyers who thrive on flexible ethics, infuriating tactics, and an unorthodox knowledge of the law? They may even remind us of an adversary or two – wink-wink. The College of Law rounds up the top 10 lawyers you love to hate.

Family law matters are deeply personal and may be emotionally charged. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, these challenges can be compounded by cultural considerations and historical disadvantage.

Anyone who has needed to wade through law school essays, summer clerkships, and legal document reviews will know that the world of law can be more tedious than David E Kelly would have us believe. However, like any other competitive pursuit, the Australian legal scene has seen its fair share of historic moments and game changing events.

Insights spoke to Wayne Attrill, a Senior Investment manager with IMF Bentham, a global litigation funding firm, on how litigation funding works alongside lawyers to help meritorious claims, its somewhat controversial history, and its increasing role in resolving disputes.

Building strong, mutually respectful relationships with your clients helps you fulfil your professional duties – and makes your professional life much easier. Professional rules require practitioners to act honestly and fairly in a client’s best interests and to act with due skill and diligence in service of the client.

Wondering what the deal is with Practical Legal Training (PLT)? That’s what this webinar is for.

Join us on Tuesday 6 August for a one-hour crash course on PLT. We’ll cover the basics, bust myths and answer questions.

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.

Join us for a unique evening of local film, meaningful conversation, and powerful stories.  For well over a century the remains of Yagan, an Indigenous Noongar warrior from WA, were missing in the UK. The search for Yagan and the fight to bring him home is one of history's wildest detective stories.  The film will commence with a Welcome to Country by Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest, and will be followed by a Q &A session with Nyungar human rights law academic Dr Hannah McGlade.

Join our information session to learn what PLT is, how it works, when to start, and what it costs — all in under an hour.

The Centre for ESG Law and Practice is an initiative developed by the College of Law to support legal and business communities navigate the complex role of law in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks. It is critical that Australian and global organisations meet international ESG regulations as a matter of legal compliance and strategic capability.

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.

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.

We would like to congratulate Terri Mottershead, Executive Director for the Centre for Legal Innovation (CLI) at The College of Law Australia, who has been selected as a finalist in the Australian AI Awards 2024 in the "AI Female Leader of the Year - Enterprise" category by Momentum Media.

Is a Master of Laws (LLM) worth the investment? With insights from our 2024 salary survey, we break down the numbers. The potential salary gains will surprise you.

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.

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.

Let’s explore the top skills employers are searching for. So you can demonstrate your worth, stand out from the crowd and land a legal role. ​

Create a standout legal resume with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to format, highlight skills, and polish your resume for your target audience.

The competition is tough, but by knowing what recruiters look for and pitching your skills and experience in their best light, you can make your resume stand out for all the right reasons.

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.

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.

Learn how emoji are making their way into Australian law. John Molloy, Lecturer at the College of Law, recently won the Australian Institute of Administrative Law blog competition with his examination of emoji use in administrative law. His analysis explores how these small digital pictographs might reshape legal communication in an increasingly digital world.

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.