Smarter Lawcast with Hall & Wilcox

Workers’ compensation reforms are changing the expectations on self-insurers in Queensland and South Australia, but with little judicial guidance so far, navigating the new landscape isn’t straight forward. Hall & Wilcox Partner ⁠Ilona Strong⁠ is joined by Partner Angela Brookes and Special Counsel Ben Clarke to explore what the reforms mean in practice and why early intervention, clear communication and good documentation can make all the difference.

More than two years after Victoria workers’ compensation reforms took effect, some of the biggest questions remain unanswered. With little judicial guidance on key tests for mental injury and ongoing weekly payments, self-insurers are still navigating plenty of grey. Hall & Wilcox Partners Ilona Strong and Andrew Stamp unpack the areas still causing headaches in practice, from determining what constitutes a mental injury and its predominant cause to approaching 130-week reviews, and why sometimes self-insurers need to look beyond the medical report and make their own judgment call.

Getting someone’s name right is about more than respect – it’s a reflection of the culture we create and the value we place on belonging. While small moments matter, lasting inclusion also depends on representation, curiosity andleadership. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠⁠ is joined by StephenAkinsanya , a London-based criminal barrister, to explore why names matter in the legal profession, the importance of representation at senior levels, and how individuals can help build more inclusive workplaces.

A major shake-up to psychological injury claims is now in effect in New South Wales. From new eligibility thresholds to a different approach for trauma and conduct claims, the reforms have significant implications for employers. Hall & Wilcox Partner Ilona Strong and Special Counsel Belinda Walsh explain what has changed and where organisations should focus first.

Getting someone’s name right is one of simplest ways to build trust, but it’s something the legal profession doesn’t always get right. The way we recognise, and respect people’s identities can shape their experience of the legal system, strengthen client relationships and foster a more inclusive profession. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu⁠ is joined by Teagan Naidu , criminal solicitor at Marrickville Legal Centre, to explore why names matter in legal practice and what individuals can do to create more inclusive experiences for clients and colleagues.

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher continue their discussion on how artificial intelligence is impacting legal professional privilege, exploring how AI is changing litigation practice in the United States and what this means for Australia. They examine judicial guidance, the implications of AI-assisted legal work and the practical considerations for lawyers using AI in litigation.

Creating inclusive workplaces starts with the choices each of us makes every day. From the language we use to the assumptions we make, small actions can have a lasting impact on whether people feel they belong. Hall & Wilcox Partner Seun Idowu is joined by James d’Apice , founder of Gravamen and creator of Coffee and a Case Note, to explore how the role individuals play in fostering inclusion, the responsibility that can come with relative privilege and how moving beyond good intentions can help drive meaningful cultural change.

Lauren Separovich and Ian Clarke-Fisher discuss how US courts are responding to artificial intelligence and what Australian lawyers can learn from these developments. They explore the landmark United States v Heppner decision, whether AI should be treated as a third party and the implications for confidentiality and legal professional privilege that flow from this catalyst decision.

Fay Calderone is joined by Hall & Wilcox Chief Executive Partner Graydon Dowd and employment partner Alison Baker to discuss what great leadership looks like in today’s increasingly complex workplace environment. From psychosocial safety and high performance to communication, resilience and workplace culture, this episode explores how leaders can support their people through ongoing change while building safe, engaged and high-performing teams.

Fay Calderone is joined by partners Emily Harvey and Suzie Leask to discuss how leaders can navigate workplace transformation amid rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and growing employee expectations. From AI governance and board accountability to psychological safety and workforce trust, this episode explores the leadership, governance and people considerations organisations should be thinking about as they adapt to disruption and the future of work.

Seun Idowu and Sewar Mitanis discuss the connectionbetween names, cultural identity and professional experience. They explore the realities of having a name that is often mispronounced, the impact of assumptions in the workplace, and how experiences of bias and belonging canshape how individuals show up at work.

Fay Calderone is joined by Sean Sullivan and Clare Kerley to discuss reasonable management action and the challenges employers face when managing performance, conduct and workplace complaints. They explore common misconceptions, why workplace issues often escalate into legal claims and how employers can balance fairness, process and communication when managing difficult situations.

Fay Calderone is joined by Jessica Luker and Nicholas Beech to discuss the growing focus on psychosocial hazards in the workplace and what it means for employers. They explore what psychosocial risks are, how regulators are enforcingcompliance and what organisations should be thinking about when identifying, assessing and managing these risks.

Seun Idowu , Aash Velhal and Stephen Lin discuss how names reflect cultural identity and the role workplaces create in creating inclusive environments. They explore personal experiences of adapting names, the confidence to correct others and practical ways organisations can make it easier to get names right.

Fay Calderone is joined by Rosemary Roach and Piers Mitchem to discuss the legal and practical challenges organisations face when navigating restructures and redundancies. They explore what makes a redundancy genuinely compliant under the Fair Work Act, where employers commonly get it wrong and the practical steps organisations can take to reduce legal risk while leading workplace change with transparency and compassion.

Karl Rozenbergs , Alison Choy Flannigan and David Markham discuss how registered providers in Australia can manage debt risk under the new Aged Care Act 2024, including the shift to means-tested co-payments, what security of tenure rules mean in practice and practical steps providers can take to reduce risk early.

Seun Idowu and Sonia Sawant discuss the role names play inrecognising identity and fostering respect in the legal profession. They explore name fatigue, the pressure to anglicise and how greater awareness and confidence, particularly among the next generation, are driving more inclusive practices.

Seun Idowu and Kenny Trần discuss the significance of names in professional settings, including the impact of correct pronunciation, the use of diacritical marks and how small actions can signal respect and inclusion. They explore Kenny’s experience with court recognition of his name and what it means for culturally diverse communities.

Suzie Leask , Alison Baker and Eden Winokur discuss Australia’s privacy landscape, to celebrate Privacy Awareness Week 2026, which has a theme of ‘Trust is built here’. With businesses holding more data than ever before, organisations should focus on transparency, consent and security when it comes to customers’ personal information. They also highlight how the Australian Information Commissioner is now focusing as much on enforcement as dispute resolution.

Jacqueline McGrath and Adam Dimac unpack the capital versus revenue distinction in property development and why it remains a key ATO focus. They explore recent cases, common risk areas and practical steps, like strong documentation, to help manage risk.