Podcast
William and Lonsdale - Lives in the Law
Hosted by Greens List Barristers · EN
William and Lonsdale - Lives in the Law explores the legal ecosystem and the fascinating people that make it tick. Your host Michael Green interviews guests from all corners of the criminal justice system, delving into what keeps them motivated, passionate and engaged; their challenges, frustrations; and how their lives in the law have shaped them.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Derek Humphery-Smith
6d ago01:12:42Tap to summarizeThis week, we welcome Derek Humphery-Smith, Partner and Head of International at Lander & Rogers, to Lives in the Law.Derek practises in all areas of workplace relations and safety law. He is also Chair of TerraLex, the world’s largest network of independent law firms, and Chairman of the Victorian Council of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia - roles we explore in this episode.Derek first studied science at the University of Queensland, where he discovered a passion for anatomy. But while completing his honours year, it dawned on him that science might not be his lifelong path, so he embarked on a law degree. Around the same time, he was transitioning from playing AFL football at university to umpiring. He went on to become an AFL umpire, a role that brought him to Melbourne, where he pursued both his legal career and umpiring simultaneously. As you’ll hear, in a football town like Melbourne there were significant professional benefits to being on the inside of the AFL, and often unexpected advantages to having both strings to his bow.It’s a fascinating conversation about a career that has spanned the law, international legal practice, governance and elite sport, and a pleasure to welcome Derek to Lives in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Peter Gordon
3w ago01:33:47Tap to summarizeThis week we welcome Peter Gordon, one of Australia’s most prominent class action lawyers.Peter’s worldview was profoundly shaped by growing up in Melbourne’s west. It informed both his politics and his approach to the law - particularly his belief that the law could, and should, be used to protect ordinary people from the wrongdoing of powerful institutions. It also forged a deep and lifelong passion for the Footscray Football Club, where he would, of course, go on to serve as President - twice.As we’ll hear today, even before he was admitted to practice, Peter was taking on large companies he believed were doing the wrong thing - and he hasn’t stopped doing so since.Over the decades, Peter has been involved in many landmark cases, including the first successful mesothelioma litigation in Australia, representing medically acquired HIV patients, acting for women injured by defective breast implants, and survivors of Thalidomide. It is a wide ranging and fascinating conversation, and a pleasure to welcome him to Lives in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →The Hon. Christopher Beale KC, with special guest Max Beale
Jul 101:10:00Tap to summarizeThis week we welcome recently retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, The Honourable Christopher Beale - and, for the first time on Lives in the Law, we welcome a second guest later in the episode: Chris’s eldest son, Max, a well-known and much-loved member of Melbourne’s legal community.Chris became known around the world as the presiding judge in the case of Erin Patterson, the so-called “mushroom murders.” We will hear about that experience in detail, but despite the global attention the case attracted, it is far from the most compelling chapter in his life.Across his career, Chris has seen the criminal law from every angle, starting young at the Victorian Bar, lecturing in criminal law at Monash University, working as a Crown Prosecutor, and later presiding over some of the state’s most significant cases. Along the way, he also authored and continues to update Pocket Evidence Law - an iconic and freely available resource relied upon by practitioners across Victoria. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Chris and Max to the show, and hear about their Lives in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Traci Chen
Jun 1600:49:33Tap to summarizeThis week, we welcome migration lawyer, principal and founder of Mason Chen Lawyers, Traci Chen. As you’ll hear today, Traci is a natural entrepreneur. While studying law, she built and sold a successful solar panel business, purchased her first home at just 19, and over the past five years has grown Mason Chen Lawyers from a sole practice operating out of her home office into a firm with more than 80 employees.Traci has also used social media to extraordinary effect, building a powerful platform to communicate with current and prospective clients and grow her business. She has more than a quarter of a million followers on TikTok and an even larger audience on Instagram.It’s a fantastic conversation, and a real pleasure to hear about Traci’s Life in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Ross Guenther APM
Jun 301:00:43Tap to summarizeThis week, we welcome former Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police, Ross Guenther APM.Across a 40-year career with Victoria Police, Ross held a wide range of roles, from frontline policing and training, to establishing the newly formed Counter Terrorism Command in 2015, and ultimately serving as Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety and Security.But before entering the police academy, Ross had an entirely different career - as a professional musician. He played in the house bands of television programs at the ABC and Channel 9, supported some of the biggest acts in Australia, and performed alongside legendary international artists including Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner and Barry White.It’s a fascinating conversation, and a real pleasure to hear about his Life in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →The Hon. Lex Lasry AM KC
May 2001:03:09Tap to summarizeThis week, we are delighted to welcome The Hon. Lex Lasry AM KC, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and current Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. Lex is one of Australia’s most recognisable criminal lawyers, a leading barrister at the Victorian Bar prior to his appointment to the bench, and a long-time opponent of the death penalty. He is also known for his pursuits beyond the law, including car racing, playing the drums, and, in his early years, a keen interest in becoming a dairy farmer. It’s a fantastic conversation, and a real pleasure to hear about his Life in the Law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Adam Deacon (2023)
May 600:47:24Tap to summarizeToday we revisit our conversation with Forensic & Child Psychiatrist Dr Adam Deacon. Throughout his career Adam has worked in many areas of the justice system including with adult inmates in prison, youth in the juvenile justice system, writing psychiatric court reports for both defence and prosecution and when we recorded with him in 2023, working at the Youth Forensic Specialist Service with Alfred Health. All this along with a thriving private practice! Adam brings a fascinating lens to Lives in the Law and it’s a pleasure to have him on the show.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Rob Stary (2023)
Apr 2200:49:04Tap to summarizeThis week we revisit our wonderful conversation with lawyer and former Magistrate, Rob Stary. Rob grew up in the western suburbs of Melbourne and has remained strongly connected to the area throughout his life and career. Rob is probably best known for his long and often highly publicised work as a criminal defence lawyer, having been engaged by the likes of Tony Mokbel and Carl Williams among many others. He became a Magistrate in 2021 beginning another interesting chapter in his long and dynamic life in the law.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Prof. Dan Meagher (2023)
Apr 801:02:47Tap to summarizeToday, we revisit our conversation with Dan Meagher, Professor and Chair of Law at Deakin University. As we’ll hear, despite studying law and doing his articles, Dan initially tried fairly hard to avoid a life in the law, until he found academia or perhaps more accurately, until it found him. Dan specialises in constitutional law; lecturing, studying and publishing on the topic all over the world. We recorded this episode in the lead-up to the 2023 referendum, and it was truly enlightening to hear his insights on the Voice to Parliament.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →Lauren Cruickshank (2023)
Mar 2500:52:36Tap to summarizeThis week we revisit our conversation with lawyer Lauren Cruickshank. At the time of recording, Lauren was an associate at Pinsent Masons, specialising in Construction Law. In her teens Lauren had two big goals; to be a teacher and to go to the Paralympics for discus - neither of which eventuated. But as we’ll hear, after a chance work experience placement in year 10 Lauren found her passion and she hasn’t looked back.www.greenslist.com.au/podcastwww.themelbournemap.com.au
Transcribe →