Clayton Utz Insider

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Latest episode

Nov 2025

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EN-AU

About the show

Bridging the gap between legal studies and legal practice, the Clayton Utz Insider is your destination to learn about the latest trends in the legal market and delve into the fascinating work lawyers do. Hosted by Clayton Utz graduates, our conversations with lawyers across our practice areas nationally will give you an insight into Clayton Utz, our areas of practice and the meaningful work we do.

Listen to episodes

16 recent

November 17, 202526 min

Running Into the Burning Building: Navigating Royal Commissions and Investigations with Alex Tighe

In this episode, our Graduate Lawyers sit down with Melbourne Partner Alex Tighe for an in-depth look at the complex and fascinating world of Royal Commissions and Investigations. Alex shares her journey into this unique practice area and offers insight into what sets Royal Commissions apart - from their defining features to the diverse stakeholders involved and the critical role lawyers play in guiding them through the process. Listeners will hear Alex discuss the ethical challenges that can arise, how highly confidential information is managed, and her experience working on high-profile matters such as the Lawyer X Royal Commission. Alex reflects on how, while others may shy away from the challenges of Royal Commissions and Investigations, she embraces them, describing her mindset as running “into the burning building” to assist clients in their time of need. She also shares how she approaches heavy and sensitive subject matter and the real impact Royal Commissions and Investigations can have on driving change, including her perspective on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. For those curious about the practical side, Alex outlines the types of tasks junior lawyers may take on in these matters and offers valuable advice for early-career professionals: “Find what you enjoy and keep doing that.” This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in public inquiries, complex investigations, or exploring a dynamic and meaningful area of legal practice.

September 30, 202522 min

Top Tier in the Top End: Life at Clayton Utz Darwin

In this episode, we head north to the heart of Australia's Top End to visit the Clayton Utz Darwin office. As a top-tier law firm in the Territory, you'll hear from team members who thrive in a close-knit environment, with opportunities for graduates to rotate to Darwin on secondment, take on broader responsibilities, and make meaningful contributions from day one.Our guests share insights ranging from the diversity of work across practice areas to the unbeatable lifestyle that comes with having the Territory’s natural wonders right in your backyard.

August 12, 202534 min

CU's Pro Bono History: Facilitating Access to Justice

As the first large Australian commercial law firm to establish a formal in-house pro bono practice, Clayton Utz has built a rich and proud history of pro bono work that continues to make a meaningful impact today. Join us as we explore this legacy. Discover the importance of maintaining a pro bono practice alongside commercial work, the variety of matters you might encounter, and how these differ across practice groups. We discuss how lawyers balance pro bono work with commercial matters, and the opportunities for clerks and graduates to get involved. We also spotlight the impactful Towards Truth project, a key initiative tied to Clayton Utz's RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) commitments.Finally, we reflect on landmark cases, key matters, and emerging trends in the pro bono space. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the role of pro bono in the legal industry, this episode offers valuable insights into making a difference through the law.

July 7, 2025Episode 323 min

Chapter 11 - All’s Fair in Love and Liquidation

Are you curious about where your degree could take you? In this episode of Clayton Utz Insider, we’re joined by Maria O’Brien, a Partner in our Sydney Dispute Resolution Group, and Senior Associate Suami Campos, both experts in the exciting field of Restructuring & Insolvency (R&I).Maria and Suami share their journeys into R&I, a practice area many law students don’t encounter at university but one that offers a fast-paced, dynamic, and rewarding career. They discuss what makes R&I so unique, from working across diverse industries like retail, mining, and healthcare to tackling high-stakes, quick-turnaround matters that combine litigation, advisory work, and collaboration with other practice areas.

May 1, 2025Episode 228 min

Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety: Closing the Loopholes

The world of employment law is an ever changing, ever developing landscape that has seen some momentous shifts over the last few years. In this episode of the Clayton Utz Insider, we are joined with two of our Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety partners, Christy Miller and Hilary Searing who walk us through some of the most notable changes that have recently occurred. Join us as we discuss the Closing Loopholes legislation, which introduces new employee protections such as the right to disconnect and the criminalisation of wage theft and the new standards expected of businesses. We also receive some valuable insights into the practical effects these changes will have on different stakeholders including businesses, contractors, labour hire companies and employees.

March 17, 2025Episode 127 min

Renewable Energy Transition

How is Australia transitioning to renewable energy, and what role do corporate lawyers play in shaping the future of energy regulation and infrastructure? From the legal frameworks governing electricity delivery to the massive projects driving the shift to renewables, energy law is at the forefront of this transformation.In this episode, we sit down with Susan Taylor and Andy Fry, Partners in our Melbourne office, to explore what it’s like to be a corporate lawyer specialising in energy regulation and major energy projects. Tune in for insights into the evolving legal landscape, career opportunities in this dynamic sector, and the key challenges shaping the future of energy law.

August 26, 2024Episode 226 min

Exploring the Australian Real Estate Landscape

In this episode, we spotlight the Clayton Utz Real Estate team, one of Australia's leading legal forces in the property sector. Tune in to hear key insights from Nikki Robinson, Real Estate Partner and Partner in Charge of the Sydney Office, and Andy Steele, Real Estate Partner and National Practice Group Leader for Real Estate. We speak with Nikki and Andy about the ways that legal practice in the real estate space differs from the study of property law at university, as well as the hands-on experience that junior lawyers in the Clayton Utz Real Estate team can get in relation to Australia's most complex and dynamic property transactions. Join us as we discuss the legal challenges faced by private and government developers, explore trends in affordable housing and other areas of real estate, and learn how the Clayton Utz Real Estate team navigate the ever-evolving landscape of real estate law in Australia.

July 31, 2024Episode 124 min

Dealing with Distress: Restructuring and Insolvency Explained

Join us as we come to you from our Perth office, to cover the ins and outs of the firm's Restructuring and Insolvency hybrid practice. In this episode, Partner, Alistair Fleming and Special Counsel, Fiona Schmedje discuss some of the key trends impacting Restructuring and Insolvency within Australia, cover their biggest newsworthy matters from the COVID pandemic and highlight the firm's offerings in its growing Sports Law practice.

January 23, 2024Episode 724 min

Artificial intelligence, digital transformation and the role of Intellectual Property law

In the era of cognitive computing, the metaverse and digital automation transforming our interactions, work and leisure - how is the law keeping up? Join James Neil and Sarah Martine, Partner and Special Counsel in our Melbourne Intellectual Property and Technology (IP&T) team, as they step into the virtual universe to discuss the impact of generative AI, non-fungible tokens and developments in the Australian intellectual property landscape.

November 23, 2023Episode 628 min

A Clayton Utz Tax Assessment

Ever wondered whether a mini ciabatta is a cracker or bread for the purposes of GST? Tax finds its way into our everyday lives and plays an important role in almost every area of law. In this episode Angela Wood and Andy Bubb, Partner and Special Counsel in our Melbourne Tax team, discuss the full spectrum of tax law from advice to disputes, and how their work has taken them to the Brisbane Lions Football Club and the High Court of Australia.