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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how we work in almost every way.

As the Government response moves out of the “containment” phase into a “living with COVID” phase, employers are now dealing with new challenges. While remote work became the norm during lockdowns, many employers are now looking to move back to the office. Employers are now also having to consider the reality that there will be outbreaks of COVID-19 within the workplace and grappling with how this risk needs to be managed.

This session will look at some of the developments relating to how employers and tribunals are dealing with requests for remote working arrangements and what is happening with mandatory vaccination policies.

As we emerge from the Covid cocoon we understand that many members are not quite ready for a complete conference experience but they do want an alternative to webinars. How can we deliver this to members?

ACC Australia’s In-House Counsel Month (IHCM), has replaced our In-House Counsel Days. This new concept has expanded the in-person, one-day format to encompass the whole month of May, in each state, and incorporate a mix of virtual and in-person events. In-House Counsel Month (IHCM) will be available to everyone, in every state. 

The month will be divided into four themes:

• Week 1: Lead the Law (substantive law topics)
• Week 2: Lead the Business (organisation focussed topics)
• Week 3: Lead Yourself and (topics aimed at the individual)
• Week 4: Lead Your Networks (virtual networking and in-person social events).  

This month of activity will include online education, in-person and virtual roundtables, and networking opportunities. 

In addition, each Friday during the month of May, the Legal Technology and Innovation Community will be spotlighting legal technology and innovation content. 

Wherever safely possible we will be holding networking events in the days of 23 – 31 May in WA, NSW, VIC and QLD. 

We invite all of our members to Transform Together, just like we have done with our In-house Counsel conference experience.

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) are delighted to be supporting the inaugural Lexology Connect: Financial Services Asia – a half-day virtual event specifically designed for senior in-house counsel and compliance executives operating in the financial services industry.

Across an engaging half-day program, Lexology Connect Financial Services Asia will tackle the key issues within the financial services industry, allowing in-house legal and compliance professionals to discuss these from both a local and international context.

Lexology Connect: Financial Services Asia will be held virtually Thursday, 2nd September 2021.

Can I be happy and a lawyer?
Why does a thriving professional career as a lawyer so often seem to be mutually exclusive with little things like… time with your family and friends, a good night’s sleep, feeling calm, enjoying your day, feeling confident and on top of things, doing work you enjoy, being able to speak up at work, progressing up the career chain without needing to give up the rest of your life, feeling constant guilt whatever you choose…

If all it took was brains to solve that problem, you’d have done it long ago. So what now?

Common unhelpful patterns for lawyers include
·      Perfectionism
·      People pleasing
·      Conflict avoidance, or frequent conflict
·      Difficulty making decisions
·      Overwork and burnout
·      Micromanaging and difficulty delegating
·      Clashing demands in different areas of life

Paradoxically, it’s likely some of these patterns helped you succeed – but now they are holding you back. Rather than eliminate then, learn to harness and work with them.

Join Madeleine Shaw and ACC Australia for Thriving as a Lawyer. In this powerful, 8 week coaching program you will gain some quick wins and explore the deeper patterns, habits and subconscious beliefs that may be holding you back from setting up your work and life so you can thrive in both. 

Please click here if you would like to know more information about the course. 
 

“Madeleine being a lawyer made a huge difference. She really understood my world and how I could - and couldn’t - change it. It meant I could explore possibilities in ways that were actually practical and achievable.”
Rebecca – Corporate Counsel
“The best thing about this program was the sense of calm empowerment Madeleine was able to unlock for me. I was able to bring a sense of control and calm to a tumultuous year because of the work with Madeleine and especially the tools we used.”
Elise – Special Counsel

This is a 8 week program, comprising 4 x weekly and 2 x fortnightly 1 hour workshops (in small groups of up to 10). ACC Australia is delighted to offer this exciting program to members for the subsidised rate of only $390 per person.
 

ACC Australia is delighted to offer a powerful, practical interview with Madeleine Shaw, following her session which received outstanding feedback at the recent NSW In-House Counsel Day. 

Do you proof-read your sent emails?

It’s no secret that burnout, dissatisfaction and overwork are rife within legal practice. If it just took brains to solve that problem, you would have done that by now. Yet smart lawyers end up held back by many of the habits that, in some ways, are also what made them successful:

• Perfectionism
• Strong work ethic
• People pleasing
• Detail focus, micromanaging and difficulty delegating
• Conflict avoidance, or frequent conflict
• Difficulty making decisions
• Overwork and burnout

In this session, you will take a new perspective on this paradox and hear about practical action steps for getting back to solid ground while retaining the traits that make you a great lawyer. 

ACC Australia and Madeleine will also be offering an 8 week program to guide you through this process in depth, launching in August, and will share details with you on this webinar.
 

ALTACON is the largest legal + tech conference and expo in the Southern Hemisphere. Organised by the Australian Legal Technology Association, ALTACON 21 showcases the latest in Aussie legal technology and innovation. Join the who’s who of the legal + tech community in-person or virtually and connect with the people that can help drive your law firm or legal department forward. 

As a supporting partner, ACC Australia's members can utilise the discount code ACCALTACON to receive $100 off their ticket price. 

For further information, please go to: https://www.altacon.com.au/

Corporate social responsibility and philanthropy are increasingly being acknowledged as a necessary component of modern corporate activity. As well as being good for the broader community, philanthropic activity can bring direct benefits to your company, including by increasing good will and reputation, improving employee engagement and building client loyalty. 

This webinar presented by Darren Fittler, head of Gilbert + Tobin's Charities + Social Sector group, will explore the most common approaches to corporate philanthropy, including corporate foundation structures, and outline the key things to consider in deciding what approach is right for your company.
 

Due to the evolving COVID situation, ACC Australia has made the difficult decision to run this event virtually to ensure the safety of our members and stakeholders. 

Stay tuned for more information on what the program and experience will entail!

Those that have already registered for the event will be contacted very shortly to update your registration. 

Many businesses are heavily reliant upon casual employees, yet the rules relating to casual employment are currently in an unsatisfactory state of uncertainty. An appeal against the Full Federal Court decision in Rossato, which held that an employee engaged and paid as a casual was in fact a permanent employee (and entitled to entitlements associated with such employment including annual leave and paid carers/personal leave), will be heard by the High Court later this year. By some estimates,  if the Rossato decision stands, it could cost business up to $14 billion in backpay. The Federal Government's Omnibus IR Bill (the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020)  also seeks to bring some clarity to this vexed area.

In this seminar, Michael Byrnes will explore the decision in Rossato, its potential implications, and the attempts at a legislative fix. In doing so, the risks and costs to business will be considered, along with practical mitigation strategies.

Entering unfamiliar territory? – Speed networking with the Victorian Bar 

For many in-house counsel, the Bar is a mysterious and unfamiliar place. In-house counsel will know the value that a barrister can bring to court litigation, but barristers can provide valuable pre-litigation support, independent advice, and strategic commercial acumen to avoid litigation, or to pursue alternative dispute resolution avenues.

This speed networking event is a great opportunity to meet with your in-house peers and a variety of commercial barristers at all levels in a fun and engaging way. For those new to in-house roles, it’s an opportunity to learn about how barristers can help you with your every-day and strategic legal problems.

Join your fellow Victorian in-house counsel for a night of canapes, drinks, door prizes and networking. Note that tickets are limited so register now to avoid missing out.

Pricing
Members: $15
Non-members: $25

Details
5:30pm - 7:00pm 
Wednesday, 21 April 2021 
Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers East
205 William Street, Melbourne (Bar Council Chambers)