When it comes to cyber attacks on law firms, it's not a question of if, but when. This sobering reality sets the stage for an insightful episode featuring Annie Haggar, who delves into the critical world of cybersecurity for legal professionals.

In this discussion, Annie highlights the potential impacts of breaches on reputation and client trust. She shares her professional journey into cybersecurity law, offering valuable insights gained from her expertise in this rapidly evolving field. Her perspective underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for law firms of all sizes.

Annie paints a clear picture of the evolving threat landscape, from ransomware attacks to sophisticated social engineering tactics. Her breakdown of these risks is both informative and accessible, tailoring her advice to both small practices and large firms alike.

The conversation takes an interesting turn as Annie explores the future of cybersecurity, with a particular focus on the dual nature of AI in this field. Listeners will find her insights on how AI might be used by both attackers and defenders particularly thought-provoking.

Throughout the episode, Annie provides practical, actionable advice. Her tips on improving password security and implementing multi-factor authentication are straightforward yet effective, offering listeners immediate ways to enhance their cybersecurity posture.

This episode serves as a wake-up call for legal professionals, highlighting the pervasive role of technology in the industry and the need for constant vigilance in the digital age. It's a must-listen for anyone in the legal field looking to stay ahead of cyber threats and protect their firm's digital assets.

This episode is brought to you by VXT, the fully integrated phone system, built for lawyers.

Ryan McKeen, founder of Connecticut Trial Firm, shares his journey from aspiring teacher to becoming a successful personal injury lawyer renowned for his firm's remarkable $100 million jury verdict in the Mikey Cruz case.

Ryan discusses the pivotal role of technology in transforming law firms, from marketing strategies and scaling to identifying business opportunities and implementing cutting-edge legal tech. He offers expert insights on choosing the right software, recognizing green and red flags in legal technology, and the importance of APIs.

As an adjunct law professor and consultant, Ryan's passion for teaching and guiding others is evident. He explores the future of legal practice with AI and provides practical advice for law firms to adapt and thrive in an evolving landscape.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on leveraging technology for law firm growth and efficiency.

File Notes is brought to you by VXT - the only phone system built for lawyers.

In this episode, Cameron Madgwick shares his unplanned and diverse career journey, detailing his transitions in and out of the legal industry and his eventual rise to CEO of Gibson Sheet.

Cameron begins by discussing his early career at Russell McVeagh and his subsequent roles with New Zealand Rugby, New Zealand Oil and Gas, Contact Energy and PEP ANZ. Each position provided him with valuable experiences, highlighting the importance of context, communication, and understanding stakeholder perspectives.

In his current role at Gibson Sheet, Cameron outlines a strategic focus on people, clients, and technology, including the implementation of a profit-share scheme and the transition to a new practice management system.

File Notes is brought to you by VXT, the fully integrated VoIP phone system for lawyers.

00:00 Introduction and Career Beginnings 00:32 Sponsorship Message from VXT 01:08 Cameron's Journey into Law 03:25 First Role at Russell McVeigh 07:40 Transition to In-House and New Zealand Rugby 10:10 Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement 18:37 Becoming a CEO 22:30 Current Role at Gibson Sheet 27:24 People, Clients, and Technology Strategy 41:46 Quick Fire Questions and Conclusion

Amy Leong is a lawyer, podcaster, and advocate for female legal professionals to burn bright, not out. Amy shares her personal account of experiencing burnout, anxiety, and depression in what she thought was her dream job. She discusses the warning signs she ignored, the importance of a supportive workplace culture, and the steps she took to seek help and recover.

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Amy also delves into her journey in law, from her early inspirations to her current role. The episode is rich with practical advice for recognizing burnout, coping mechanisms, and creating a healthy work-life balance.

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Connect with Amy here: ⁠Website⁠ // ⁠Linkedin⁠ // ⁠Instagram⁠ // ⁠Facebook⁠ // ⁠Spotify⁠ // ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠

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File Notes Podcast is brought to you by VXT, the fully integrated legal phone system.

Scott Moran shares his journey of making the hard decision to leave Duncan Cotterill, one of New Zealand’s largest law firms, after 28 years to establish his own boutique law firm, Moran Law.

He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from opening the Duncan Cotterill office in Wellington and offers insights into effective leadership and maintaining a positive law firm culture.

Scott also provides his perspective on the impact of AI on the legal profession and IP law, the challenges of harmonizing IP laws across jurisdictions, and the importance of personal branding for lawyers.

Additionally, he talks about his governance roles, what he has gained from them, and advice for lawyers aspiring to join boards. The episode provides valuable takeaways for legal professionals considering starting their own firm or looking to grow within their current roles.

This episode is brought to you by VXT - the fully integrated legal phone system.

In this episode, we sit down with Renika Siciliano, the Executive Director of McCaw Lewis. Renika leads the firm's exceptional and passionate lawyers in the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and workplace law areas. Renika provides legal and strategic advice to clients across Aotearoa, New Zealand and has extensive experience in matters relating to Treaty settlement negotiations, Māori governance and iwi disputes.

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Growing up in a tight-knit community of just 3000 people, Renika shares her journey into law and why she's remained dedicated to McCaw Lewis throughout her career. We explore her remarkable rise to Executive Director in just 12 years and the pivotal matters she's been involved in, including the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

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Renika offers fascinating insights into negotiating with the Crown, shedding light on common misconceptions about treaty settlements.

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Renika has been recognized as one of NZ Lawyer's Most Influential Lawyers and Elite Women, as well as a Doyles Leading Māori Law practitioner.

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Joshua Reimer

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Reimer, the managing director and founder of Johnston Reimer Lawyers, for an insightful conversation about building and scaling a successful law firm from the ground up.

Starting with just a small corner office 8 years ago, Joshua and his team at Johnston Reimer Lawyers have grown exponentially over the years, now boasting a team of 50 employees. Rapid growth comes with it's own unique set of challenges. Joshua's shares his insights on navigating these hurdles from managing cash flow, selecting technology to maintaining a positive workplace culture.

One of the firm's key areas of focus is providing justice and support to victims of crime, a mission that drives much of their work. Joshua shares the unique challenges and rewards of this practice area, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in serving clients who have experienced trauma.

A core pillar of Johnston Reimer Lawyers' success lies in their innovative approach to technology. By putting in place cloud-based systems right from the very start, Joshua and his team are at the forefront of leveraging technology to streamline legal processes and better serve their clients. We explore their tech stack, including tools like Actionstep and VXT and discuss the potential impact of AI on the future of the legal industry.

As the firm continues to grow, Joshua reflects on the challenges ahead and shares valuable advice for aspiring lawyers. His insights into maintaining workplace culture, embracing innovation, and prioritizing personal growth offer invaluable lessons for anyone on the path to success in the legal world.

This episode is brought to you by VXT, the leading VoIP phone system for lawyers.

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Salmond, a commercial lawyer and Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts. Sarah found her calling in the world of international trade through a chance encounter while waitressing.

Sarah gives us an insider's view of her intriguing journey, from her first exposure to World Trade Organization meetings in Geneva, to her stint at the OECD in Paris, and her transformative decision to retrain as a lawyer in her early 30s. She shares her experiences of establishing new law firm practices and advising clients on the full spectrum of public, regulatory and international trade law matters.

A significant portion of our discussion addresses the tightrope women walk as they juggle work and family responsibilities. Sarah emphasizes the critical role of mentorship and strategic support systems in fostering women's advancement in the legal profession. She candidly discusses the pressing issue of burnout and overwork, underscoring the need for organizations to monitor work patterns and enforce policies to prevent burnout.

As we navigate the complexities of international trade, Sarah sheds light on emerging trends and challenges, including the proliferation of sanctions, the imperative for businesses to diversify and hedge risks in the current geopolitical climate, and the need for innovative market access strategies to supplement traditional trade agreements. Sarah speaks about shares her active governance roles with the New Zealand International Business Forum and AmCham New Zealand, and her passionate advocacy for law reforms that will deliver widespread benefits for New Zealand businesses, like enabling paperless trade.