“Kindness as Innovation”

It’s time to explore a new kind of innovation – kindness.

Kindness-driven innovation can address many challenges we face working in or alongside the legal profession, such as combative and aggressive practice, access to justice and inequality.

How? Because kindness creates a safe space for change, and in a profession steeped in tradition like law, we must be primed for change and progress to truly take hold. Kindness may just be the primer we need to progress, grow and create a better experience of law for everyone.

On Friday, 8 September 2023 in Canberra, The Kind Lawyers Inaugural Forum will bring together bold, innovative and compassionate thought leaders to discuss how we can create a kinder experience of law for everyone who encounters the legal system.

Event Program

Registration and networking open from 8:30am

Conference start

9:00am
______________________________

Welcome to Country from local First Nations Elder

&

Opening address from The Kind Lawyers and our MC

______________________________

Panel Discussion 1 - “Humans First, Lawyers Second”

Moderator: Sarah-Elke Kraal

Panellists: Zinta Harris, Amy Leong, Geovanna Jammo and Zebunnissa Khan

The challenge is not that lawyers are purposely choosing to contribute more harm, it is that lawyers are not prioritising conducting themselves in a manner that promotes kindness and compassion. When we re-evaluate our role and adopt a “human first, lawyer second approach,” we prioritise well-being, ethics and how we can deliver services that truly address the human impact of our work.

This panel will unpack structured kindness. We will contemplate ego versus humility, deep dive into accountability, and question the hierarchical nature of law.

______________________________

Keynote Speaker - Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson

Kindness and the Law; How the practice of the law can be improved.

Topics to be covered by Her Honour include courtroom advocacy, therapeutic jurisprudence, restorative justice and mental well-being in the profession.

______________________________

Morning Tea

______________________________

Panel Discussion 2 - “Conflict management – should lawyers be in the lead?”

Moderator: Iveta Bales

Panellists: Professor Bruce Smyth, Marguerite Picard, Anya Aidman and Carli Jean Kulmar

In law and, indeed, in life, conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.

This panel will question whether lawyers can be more effective in a supporting, as opposed to a leading role. We will reflect on the cost of conflict and consider restorative justice processes, and consider what sits at the heart of and how we can get more “comfortable” with conflict.

___________________________

Interactive Session - “Walking the Talk”

Moderators: Sarah-Elke Kraal and Perpetua Kish

Contributors: Mel Scott, Angela Harbinson, Jack O’Donnell, Fiona Kirkman and Eunika Kurek

Together we will view the legal profession through the lens of humanity and how it can guide us to navigate ethically complex, combative or aggressively charged situations with empathy and a commitment to justice.

We will explore how we can foster creativity and a willingness to take risks to achieve better, kinder outcomes as we deep dive into the difference between advocacy and aggression, asking ourselves, “Are we guilty of confusing the two?”

This session promises to be lively and thought-provoking, where we face up to some familiar and exasperating challenges.

______________________________

Lunch

&

Performance by magician, Adam Mada

______________________________

Keynote Speaker - Sheetal Deo

Leverage our privilege: A model for creating social change.

Using her unique model, Sheetal will talk about how we can leverage our strengths and privilege to create social change in a way that aligns with our personal values.

______________________________

Panel Discussion 3 - “Humans First, Humans Second”

Moderator: Rose Inglis

Panellists: Farzana Choudhury, Emma Towney, Leigh McBean and Andrew Rosetta

Privilege is thinking something is not a problem because it is not YOUR problem. Emphasising our shared humanity urges us to address the systemic barriers that impede access to justice.

This panel will address the social impact by uncovering critical reflective practice as they speak of their own experiences of privilege and inclusion while asking the question, “can you be what you cannot see?”

______________________________

Panel Discussion 4 - “Reconnecting Communities”

Moderator: Lara Wentworth

Panellists: Ben Deverson, Sapphire Parsons, Lauren Cassimatis & Deborah Battisson

To collaborate or compete? What can we gain from being truly open to learning from and sharing our knowledge with our colleagues? Kindness encourages collaboration and inclusivity rather than imposing one's own ideas or solutions. Through kindness, we learn to value diverse opinions, better engage in open dialogue, and work together to identify the most effective ways to support others.

This panel will explore a scarcity versus abundance mindset, reflect on the business and strategic value of kindness, and the responsibility of self-care, empathy towards oneself, and supporting the well-being of our colleagues.

______________________________

Close 

5:15pm