New Earth lawyer

I talk about how the biggest challenge facing us is to seek Unity Consciousness through an increasingly polarised world.

I've been reminded of this on a daily basis in the past week, with opportunities to promote conflict in my life and in my clients' lives appearing constantly. We are being tested to rise above divisiveness and bridge differences.

Show notes

[0:44] I have been reminded in various ways recently how there are constant opportunities to create conflict in our lives and see others as separate from us. 

[2:23] Last week, I had an incident occur that disappointed me when people disagreed with my views and I could have used it as an opportunity to promote more disagreement. Instead, I decided to seek common ground with the people I disagree with.   

[4:15] The same tests are happening to my clients. People who have a common goal can end up disagreeing and losing sight of the humanity in others.

[5:09] A new client asked me to choose a Unity Consciousness method for her case, and by doing so she reminded me again how it doesn't always have to be about pushing and fighting.

[6:25] Every potential for conflict is also an opportunity to learn lessons, grow, rise above, test our strength and commitment to love and compassion. It reminds us to be humble.

[7:41] Most of all, it's an opportunity to bridge differences and build oneness in the now, to see all of us and all others as one humanity.

For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

I talk about how the biggest challenge facing us is to seek Unity Consciousness through an increasingly polarised world.

I've been reminded of this on a daily basis in the past week, with opportunities to promote conflict in my life and in my clients' lives appearing constantly. We are being tested to rise above divisiveness and bridge differences.

Show notes

[0:44] I have been reminded in various ways recently how there are constant opportunities to create conflict in our lives and see others as separate from us. 

[2:23] Last week, I had an incident occur that disappointed me when people disagreed with my views and I could have used it as an opportunity to promote more disagreement. Instead, I decided to seek common ground with the people I disagree with.   

[4:15] The same tests are happening to my clients. People who have a common goal can end up disagreeing and losing sight of the humanity in others.

[5:09] A new client asked me to choose a Unity Consciousness method for her case, and by doing so she reminded me again how it doesn't always have to be about pushing and fighting.

[6:25] Every potential for conflict is also an opportunity to learn lessons, grow, rise above, test our strength and commitment to love and compassion. It reminds us to be humble.

[7:41] Most of all, it's an opportunity to bridge differences and build oneness in the now, to see all of us and all others as one humanity.

For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website.

Rhiannon Thomas is an attorney, notary, conveyancer and administrator of deceased estates in practice in Cape Town. She is also a values consultant and accredited Conscious Contracts® provider and trainer.

Rhiannon founded Milkwood in 2012 with a mission to bring a more expansive, personal and meaningful approach to Antenuptial Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements and Wills through inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Rhiannon came to this work knowing from an early point in her career that she was different from other lawyers. Her willingness to do things differently led her to develop a compassionate and holistic approach  that serves clients meaningfully. 

Show notes

[2:25] Rhiannon relates how her decision to do things differently came from a childhood growing up in South Africa and realising that the system of apartheid was essentially a lie accepted by society.

[6:01] After struggling to fit in as a young law student and articled clerk, she shifted to academia and found it was yet another conformist system.

[8:46] From attending an empathy course for health science students, Rhiannon saw that skills of compassion and empathy could be taught, and learned. 

[11:23] When two friends with terminal illnesses separately approached Rhiannon to help draft their wills, Rhiannon realised that she wasn't equipped to have difficult conversations around dying and contacted a psychologist.

[15:50] Out of this was borne her new approach and her consultancy, Milkwood. Rhiannon works with mental health professionals and has developed an approach to really get to know her wills clients.

[18:18] Rhiannon has also developed a unique way of working with couples on antenuptial contracts, which involves working with a counsellor to delve into attitudes towards money and relationships.

[24:30] Rhiannon answers my question about what she would have thought as a demoralised law student if she could see the work she is doing now.

[27:06] Rhiannon talks about her introduction to the integrative law movement, where she immediately felt she had found her tribe.

[31:10] Rhiannon says she learns, grows and develops all the time, which is part of being an integrative lawyer.

[32:40] Rhiannon's vision is twofold - to continue to offer services to people that are based on integrative law principles and to inspire other lawyers to start changing their practice to benefit themselves and others.


For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website;

Rhiannon Thomas is an attorney, notary, conveyancer and administrator of deceased estates in practice in Cape Town. She is also a values consultant and accredited Conscious Contracts® provider and trainer.

Rhiannon founded Milkwood in 2012 with a mission to bring a more expansive, personal and meaningful approach to Antenuptial Contracts, Cohabitation Agreements and Wills through inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Rhiannon came to this work knowing from an early point in her career that she was different from other lawyers. Her willingness to do things differently led her to develop a compassionate and holistic approach  that serves clients meaningfully. 

Show notes

[2:25] Rhiannon relates how her decision to do things differently came from a childhood growing up in South Africa and realising that the system of apartheid was essentially a lie accepted by society.

[6:01] After struggling to fit in as a young law student and articled clerk, she shifted to academia and found it was yet another conformist system.

[8:46] From attending an empathy course for health science students, Rhiannon saw that skills of compassion and empathy could be taught, and learned. 

[11:23] When two friends with terminal illnesses separately approached Rhiannon to help draft their wills, Rhiannon realised that she wasn't equipped to have difficult conversations around dying and contacted a psychologist.

[15:50] Out of this was borne her new approach and her consultancy, Milkwood. Rhiannon works with mental health professionals and has developed an approach to really get to know her wills clients.

[18:18] Rhiannon has also developed a unique way of working with couples on antenuptial contracts, which involves working with a counsellor to delve into attitudes towards money and relationships.

[24:30] Rhiannon answers my question about what she would have thought as a demoralised law student if she could see the work she is doing now.

[27:06] Rhiannon talks about her introduction to the integrative law movement, where she immediately felt she had found her tribe.

[31:10] Rhiannon says she learns, grows and develops all the time, which is part of being an integrative lawyer.

[32:40] Rhiannon's vision is twofold - to continue to offer services to people that are based on integrative law principles and to inspire other lawyers to start changing their practice to benefit themselves and others.


For more information, please visit the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website;

I explain why the political and media portrayal of Melbourne worker protests as driven by thugs and extremists is contradicted by footage from those who were there.  These protests are occurring because people see no other outlet to stand up against infringements of their liberties.

Free and informed consent to medical treatment means no coercion. The introduction of employment mandates is coercion, pure and simple.

I express my support for peaceful protests against infringements of basic human rights.  A person who says they support individual liberties and human rights should not be selective about which protests and which human rights they choose to support.

Show notes

[0:28] I explain the lead-up to the workers' protests that occurred in Melbourne, Australia in September 2021.

[3:31] I show footage from the Real Rukshan of the protests in the city and the West Gate Bridge. 

[4:46] These are not thugs or extremists, they are ordinary people expressing their objection to the infringement of a basic human right - the right to consent to medical treatment.  Free and informed consent, meaning no coercion and full information about the risks.

[6:54] Only one politician in the State of Victoria understands what this is about i.e. basic human rights and free and informed consent. His name is David Limbrick MLC.

[8:12] We cannot be selective about which human rights and which human rights protests we support. The right to protest is in itself a fundamental human right that we should support, regardless of whether we agree with the position of those protesting.

For more. please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

I explain why the political and media portrayal of Melbourne worker protests as driven by thugs and extremists is contradicted by footage from those who were there.  These protests are occurring because people see no other outlet to stand up against infringements of their liberties.

Free and informed consent to medical treatment means no coercion. The introduction of employment mandates is coercion, pure and simple.

I express my support for peaceful protests against infringements of basic human rights.  A person who says they support individual liberties and human rights should not be selective about which protests and which human rights they choose to support.

Show notes

[0:28] I explain the lead-up to the workers' protests that occurred in Melbourne, Australia in September 2021.

[3:31] I show footage from the Real Rukshan of the protests in the city and the West Gate Bridge. 

[4:46] These are not thugs or extremists, they are ordinary people expressing their objection to the infringement of a basic human right - the right to consent to medical treatment.  Free and informed consent, meaning no coercion and full information about the risks.

[6:54] Only one politician in the State of Victoria understands what this is about i.e. basic human rights and free and informed consent. His name is David Limbrick MLC.

[8:12] We cannot be selective about which human rights and which human rights protests we support. The right to protest is in itself a fundamental human right that we should support, regardless of whether we agree with the position of those protesting.

For more. please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Bernie Hung is a lawyer and the founder and CEO of Blue Box Rocket. 

She has a unique approach to serving clients, combining her experience as an IP and technology lawyer, her business acumen from being Asia-Pacific in-house counsel to a top multinational luxury group and her executive coaching skills, backed up by well-regarded courses and certifications. 

We talk about how through her work she brings out the best in entrepreneurs and CEOs who are driven to make the world a better place.   

Show notes

[1:56] Bernie relates her journey from a lawyer in BigLaw to in-house counsel for Gucci in Asia, a hectic job which saw her managing all legal matters for the design house in multiple jurisdictions.

[6:20] Bernie found herself learning all she could about the business to become a more effective and efficient lawyer.

[8:59] Bernie now practises as an IP lawyer with a Hong Kong law firm but from her London base runs Blue Box Rocket which provides clients with an assimilated legal, business consulting and executive coaching service.

[12:08] Based on her experience as an in-house lawyer, Bernie provides her clients with a more holistic legal service and aims to understand them and their business comprehensively. 

[13:57] She began to find that she was dealing with clients, they were opening up to her about their mindset and their businesses.

[17:37] Bernie deals mainly with entrepreneurs and CEOs who are looking to take an idea from a seed to reality or to scale up or expand significantly.

[19:51] Bernie found no-one was combining the services of lawyer, business consultant and executive coach as she was.

[24:36] Bernie considers that a Rebel Lawyer is a lawyer who provides services in an unconventional way. who seeks to understand the client first as a person.

[29:54] Bernie tested her approach with those seeking to serve others, such as those in caring professions or those with innovative products.

[32:28] Bernie's idea is to create a Rebel Lawyer school that will teach her combined approach to other lawyers.

For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

Bernie Hung is a lawyer and the founder and CEO of Blue Box Rocket. 

She has a unique approach to serving clients, combining her experience as an IP and technology lawyer, her business acumen from being Asia-Pacific in-house counsel to a top multinational luxury group and her executive coaching skills, backed up by well-regarded courses and certifications. 

We talk about how through her work she brings out the best in entrepreneurs and CEOs who are driven to make the world a better place.   

Show notes

[1:56] Bernie relates her journey from a lawyer in BigLaw to in-house counsel for Gucci in Asia, a hectic job which saw her managing all legal matters for the design house in multiple jurisdictions.

[6:20] Bernie found herself learning all she could about the business to become a more effective and efficient lawyer.

[8:59] Bernie now practises as an IP lawyer with a Hong Kong law firm but from her London base runs Blue Box Rocket which provides clients with an assimilated legal, business consulting and executive coaching service.

[12:08] Based on her experience as an in-house lawyer, Bernie provides her clients with a more holistic legal service and aims to understand them and their business comprehensively. 

[13:57] She began to find that she was dealing with clients, they were opening up to her about their mindset and their businesses.

[17:37] Bernie deals mainly with entrepreneurs and CEOs who are looking to take an idea from a seed to reality or to scale up or expand significantly.

[19:51] Bernie found no-one was combining the services of lawyer, business consultant and executive coach as she was.

[24:36] Bernie considers that a Rebel Lawyer is a lawyer who provides services in an unconventional way. who seeks to understand the client first as a person.

[29:54] Bernie tested her approach with those seeking to serve others, such as those in caring professions or those with innovative products.

[32:28] Bernie's idea is to create a Rebel Lawyer school that will teach her combined approach to other lawyers.

For more, please visit the episode page of the New Earth lawyer website.

I answer a recent question asked of me - what do I do if I am required to get vaccinated? 

I explain the legal considerations around vaccine mandates in Australia: government mandates; employment mandates and conditions for service imposed by businesses. 

Show notes:

[1:30] There are no general mandates issued in Australia requiring people to get vaccinated, without conditions. 

[1:57] Public health is an issue for State parliaments in our Federal system. At State and Territory level, public health legislation grants broad powers to senior health officials. 

[3:08] The Federal Parliament has passed a Biosecurity Act which gives the Federal Health Minister powers to act in a public health emergency. 

[4:33] Factors to consider as to the legality of a general mandate requiring vaccines include reasonableness,  acting within powers, and constitutionality. 

[5:53] When it comes to employment mandates, the main considerations are whether it's an inherent requirement of the job to be vaccinated, or whether it's a lawful and reasonable direction to be vaccinated, and whether the employee has a valid reason to refuse to be vaccinated. 

[9:06] There aren't any cases yet to go on that deal with COVID vaccinations although there are a handful of flu vaccination cases that offer guidance as to when dismissal of an employee who refuses to be vaccinated is going to be lawful. 

[9:50] Generally speaking, businesses may impose certain terms of service on their customers that may include vaccination. A person might be able to challenge that on the grounds of discrimination and this will depend on the reasonableness of the circumstances of refusal of service. 

[11:06] The real choice for us here is how we conduct ourselves in exercising choices and making decisions. Are we acting out of anger and fear, or with courage, trust and love? This particular issue can divide us if we let it when we should be choosing unity.

For more information, please visit the New Earth lawyer website.

I answer a recent question asked of me - what do I do if I am required to get vaccinated? 

I explain the legal considerations around vaccine mandates in Australia: government mandates; employment mandates and conditions for service imposed by businesses. 

Show notes:

[1:30] There are no general mandates issued in Australia requiring people to get vaccinated, without conditions. 

[1:57] Public health is an issue for State parliaments in our Federal system. At State and Territory level, public health legislation grants broad powers to senior health officials. 

[3:08] The Federal Parliament has passed a Biosecurity Act which gives the Federal Health Minister powers to act in a public health emergency. 

[4:33] Factors to consider as to the legality of a general mandate requiring vaccines include reasonableness,  acting within powers, and constitutionality. 

[5:53] When it comes to employment mandates, the main considerations are whether it's an inherent requirement of the job to be vaccinated, or whether it's a lawful and reasonable direction to be vaccinated, and whether the employee has a valid reason to refuse to be vaccinated. 

[9:06] There aren't any cases yet to go on that deal with COVID vaccinations although there are a handful of flu vaccination cases that offer guidance as to when dismissal of an employee who refuses to be vaccinated is going to be lawful. 

[9:50] Generally speaking, businesses may impose certain terms of service on their customers that may include vaccination. A person might be able to challenge that on the grounds of discrimination and this will depend on the reasonableness of the circumstances of refusal of service. 

[11:06] The real choice for us here is how we conduct ourselves in exercising choices and making decisions. Are we acting out of anger and fear, or with courage, trust and love? This particular issue can divide us if we let it when we should be choosing unity.

For more information, please visit the New Earth lawyer website.