54 min
Episode 235 – Deep Thinking & Soul Searching With a Sense of Humour with Andrew McCormack The Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast
-
- Careers
In this second last episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew McCormack, family lawyer with Thynne + Macartney Lawyers.
Andrew is a great friend of mine, who like me is a Family Lawyer in #brisvegas! Andrew has has been a big part of my legal career, and I am so glad to be able to interview him before this Podcast comes to a close. His story-telling, his sense of humour and his ‘law nerd’ abilities are things that I greatly appreciate, and this interview really embodies these amazing qualities. Andrew has also been a wonderful friend to me particularly during the challenges of 2020 and 2021 so I am glad I got to say ‘Thank you’ and have that recorded for good.
This episode brought a lot of laughter, but also a lot of learnings on everything from entomology to looking after your mental health in #lawland. Andrew openly speaks about his own neurodiversity, burn out and the steps he takes each day to keep at it in #Lawland.
In this interview, Andrew and I also chatted about-
* If Andrew was not a lawyer he would have been an entomologist. (I did have to ask what that was….)
* Andrew is a natural lover of knowledge and shares his interest in all things insects.
* Son of a lawyer, Andrew grew up in a small community on the North Coast of NSW and from the age of 4 was hanging out in his Dad’s law firm.
* Andrew’s father has been a practicing lawyer for over 40 years and Andrew shares what he has learnt from him over the years.
* Small town legal practices vs those in more urban areas.
* His father’s general law practice was established in 1910.
* Andrew attended University where he studied political science and then law.
* How Andrew found himself in Family Law and the aspects of this work that he loves.
* Andrew describes himself as a #lawnerd and loves complex problem-solving.
* The often distressing nature of family law matters and the high rate of burn-out in the field.
* Andrew is the father of 3 daughters and openly says he is outnumbered and absolutely loves it!
* Andrew experienced burnout in 2019 which resulted in taking 3 months of leave.
* The impacts he felt during this time and using this time to find balance again.
* The difference between Dispute Management vs Dispute Resolution.
* Right before the pandemic hit in 2020, Andrew had plans to complete the Bar exam, which was ultimately cancelled.
* Needing to pivot Andrew joined the team at Thynne + Macartney Lawyers. and loves the culture and collaboration of the team.
* Andrew openly takes about his struggles with being risk-averse and how he has learnt to overcome his catastrophising.
* The now out phased Article Clerkship and the value of mentorship.
* Andrew shares that it takes courage to look within and then take the steps to look after yourself.
* The conversation shifts around Mental Health and Neurodiversity and Andrew’s experience in both these areas.
* The importance of fostering conversations with younger generation lawyers and keeping the dialogue open.
* Andrew’s Happiness Tip.
Sit back and enjoy this interview with Andrew McCormack.
***
Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.
Listen to last week’s episode here
In this second last episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew McCormack, family lawyer with Thynne + Macartney Lawyers.
Andrew is a great friend of mine, who like me is a Family Lawyer in #brisvegas! Andrew has has been a big part of my legal career, and I am so glad to be able to interview him before this Podcast comes to a close. His story-telling, his sense of humour and his ‘law nerd’ abilities are things that I greatly appreciate, and this interview really embodies these amazing qualities. Andrew has also been a wonderful friend to me particularly during the challenges of 2020 and 2021 so I am glad I got to say ‘Thank you’ and have that recorded for good.
This episode brought a lot of laughter, but also a lot of learnings on everything from entomology to looking after your mental health in #lawland. Andrew openly speaks about his own neurodiversity, burn out and the steps he takes each day to keep at it in #Lawland.
In this interview, Andrew and I also chatted about-
* If Andrew was not a lawyer he would have been an entomologist. (I did have to ask what that was….)
* Andrew is a natural lover of knowledge and shares his interest in all things insects.
* Son of a lawyer, Andrew grew up in a small community on the North Coast of NSW and from the age of 4 was hanging out in his Dad’s law firm.
* Andrew’s father has been a practicing lawyer for over 40 years and Andrew shares what he has learnt from him over the years.
* Small town legal practices vs those in more urban areas.
* His father’s general law practice was established in 1910.
* Andrew attended University where he studied political science and then law.
* How Andrew found himself in Family Law and the aspects of this work that he loves.
* Andrew describes himself as a #lawnerd and loves complex problem-solving.
* The often distressing nature of family law matters and the high rate of burn-out in the field.
* Andrew is the father of 3 daughters and openly says he is outnumbered and absolutely loves it!
* Andrew experienced burnout in 2019 which resulted in taking 3 months of leave.
* The impacts he felt during this time and using this time to find balance again.
* The difference between Dispute Management vs Dispute Resolution.
* Right before the pandemic hit in 2020, Andrew had plans to complete the Bar exam, which was ultimately cancelled.
* Needing to pivot Andrew joined the team at Thynne + Macartney Lawyers. and loves the culture and collaboration of the team.
* Andrew openly takes about his struggles with being risk-averse and how he has learnt to overcome his catastrophising.
* The now out phased Article Clerkship and the value of mentorship.
* Andrew shares that it takes courage to look within and then take the steps to look after yourself.
* The conversation shifts around Mental Health and Neurodiversity and Andrew’s experience in both these areas.
* The importance of fostering conversations with younger generation lawyers and keeping the dialogue open.
* Andrew’s Happiness Tip.
Sit back and enjoy this interview with Andrew McCormack.
***
Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.
Listen to last week’s episode here
54 min