Allens Confidential

Pathways to reconciliation

How can lawyers contribute to reconciliation? In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with Lawyer Olivia Henderson and Community Engagement Manager Jodie Symes to discuss Allens' commitment to reconciliation and how junior lawyers can get involved. Olivia and Jodie share their perspectives on pro bono work, pathways to legal careers for First Nations students and the firm's new First Nations Engagement Plan.

Find out more about our First Nations Engagement Plan and our First Nations Legal Internships

Competition, Consumer and Regulatory

In this episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia dive into the complex and bustling world of competition law. They're joined by Jacqui Downes (Head of Competition, Consumer and Regulatory) and Lloyd Hutson (Lawyer) to learn more about the team culture, fascinating legal issues, global opportunities and day-to-day minutiae.

Answering your questions: part two

In part two of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by Technology, Media and Telecommunications Partner David Rountree to answer questions submitted by listeners. Covering the full spectrum of lunch breaks to international secondments, Mel, Tahlia and David discuss how TV lawyers compare with reality, when you might get your own office, how billable hours work and more. 

Still looking for answers? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box.

 

Answering your questions: part one

In part one of a special two-part episode, Mel and Tahlia are joined by People & Development Manager Samantha Dunn and Early Careers Consultant Katrina Calder to answer questions submitted by listeners. What are your pathways to Allens if you miss out on a clerkship? What's the deal with WAM cut-offs? Do you get paid enough to support your oat milk latte habit? Mel and Tahlia ask those in the know all these questions and more.

Got more burning questions? Let us know what's on your mind in our anonymous submission box 

The road less travelled: busting the myth of the ’typical lawyer’

How does someone end up in the law?  

In this deeply personal episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia speak with two of their fellow lawyers - Virginia Dore and Paddy O'Brien - about their significantly divergent lives, backgrounds and eventual paths to legal practice. It's an honest, heart-on-the-sleeve discussion that puts paid to many of the persistent stereotypes about lawyers, law students and life in a corporate firm, covering everything from childhood trauma and homelessness through to the expanding definition of diversity, the vital role of mentors and the empowering process of being your whole, authentic self in the workplace. 

We'd be lying if we said this episode didn't involve some crying. From everybody. So...tissues at the ready.   

The Chair, the historian and a 200th birthday: exploring Allens’ bicentenary

On 21 July 1822, 21-year-old George Allen became the first person to complete legal training in Australia. The very next day he founded what would become Australia's oldest law firm: Allens. 

In this very special episode, hosts Mel and Tahlia sit down with Allens Chair, Fiona Crosbie, and historian Jillian Maxwell to discuss the firm's bicentenary. Only a handful of Australian businesses have marked such a milestone and it sparked a great and amusing conversation about the firm's impact on the social, political and economic history of modern Australia, as well as a thoughtful look back at the firm's founder, George Allen, and his remarkable legacy.  

Listen as Fiona explains what the bicentenary means to her and how she balances legal work with the responsibilities of the board; Jill details the challenges and thrills of searching for historical artefacts; and both reveal their favourite stories from the firm's history book 'Allens: The First 200 Years'. 

If you'd like to learn more about the firm's history, head on over to the special 200-year digital experience, which includes some fascinating podcasts covering a few of Allens' most iconic moments, including paving the way for marriage equality and combating literary censorship.

Mistakes, memories and milestones: the Allens grad experience

In this episode, Tahlia and Mel talk to two recent grads (including a former Allens Confidential host) about their experience as junior lawyers in the firm. They cover everything from: 

• Rotations: how they're structured and how to nominate your preferences;
• Training and development opportunities;
• The LSA (Legal Services Award);
• Allens' non-silo approach; and
• Embarrassing stories / confessions (there are some doozies). 

If you've ever wondered what to expect from your first year as a lawyer in a big firm, this episode has you covered. 

Everyone belongs: Cultural diversity and awareness

Beyond Allens: two alumni share their experiences

Allens alumni can be found the world over, working in a remarkable array of roles and industries. 

In this episode, Caitlin and Will chat to two former lawyers - Jacqui Purcell and Nick Sinclair - who've both returned to Australia after stints in New York. 'Allens definitely punches above its weight on the global stage' says Nick, who's now the Senior Business Affairs and Legal Executive at Freemantle Media. 

Jacqui agrees. After working for one of the major investment firms in New York, she's now an Investment Team member at TDM Growth Partners and says the training Allens gave her on everything from clear and concise communication through to commercial strategy was second to none and has served her well ever since. 

Together, they share their memories of life at the firm, talk about how they've applied their Allens training in their subsequent careers and speak about the deep, lifelong connections they made while here. 

[This episode was recorded in December 2021]

Disputes, investigations and making mistakes

Contrary to popular opinion, litigation isn't just well-crafted legal arguments and courtroom drama. According to Partner Ross Drinnan, disputes are 'fundamentally about human relationships and helping human interactions that have gone wrong to be put right'.

In this episode, Ross joins Senior Associate and co-creator of Allens Confidential, Geneva Sekula, for a candid chat with Caitlin and Will, where they cover everything from early career experiences and mistakes (as well as how to fix them), through to the virtual courtroom and office Cluedo.