New Zealand Law Society - Sessions
Keynote Speaker - Rez Gardi (MNZM)
Content coming soon!
Dr Sarah Anticich
This session introduces the core competencies of Emotional Intelligence (EI), positioning it as a vital professional capability for navigating the complex demands of contemporary legal practice. Framed through The Executive Frame model, the workshop draws on principles from neuroscience, executive functioning, and motivational psychology to strengthen clarity, composure, and interpersonal effectiveness in high-stakes environments.
Legal professionals are routinely required to manage significant intellectual, emotional, and relational pressures. Emotional Intelligence provides a structured, practical framework to address these demands—enhancing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the ability to communicate and lead effectively. Lawyers who develop these competencies are better positioned to maintain professional standards, foster productive relationships, exercise sound judgment under pressure and effectively manage the demands of the legal profession.
Derek Roth-Biester, Director, Criterion Law
An exploration of the current and likely future impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession. Beginning with a brief introduction on the state of the art in AI and how it all works under the hood, the presentation will focus on gen-AI / LLMs, some of the tools that are currently available to the modern lawyer and law firm and some that are in development, highlighting their capabilities, limitations and risks. The presentation considers AI's potentially transformative effects on lawyers and firms, including the disruption to the traditional reliance on leverage and the billable hour. It also considers the challenges to AI adoption, and how practitioners can overcome these to embrace AI, stay competitive as the pace of change accelerates and ultimately position themselves as indispensable to the modern law firm as we move into this fascinating age.”
Panel Discussion hosted by Sam Lindsay, Legal Search Partner, Chisholm Clarke
This casual and moderated discussion on legal careers, as part of the “Tāraitia a anamata I Create the Future” new lawyers conference, brings together three dynamic senior lawyers to share the real stories behind their career journeys. The discussion will be led by Sam Lindsay, a Director and Search Partner for Lawyers at Chisholm Clarke, who also hosts the What a Lawyer podcast that reaches hundreds of kiwi lawyers at home and around the globe.
His guests include Jenna Adamson, a former Technology and Commercial Property Partner now CEO of a large Family Office; Gemma Wragg, who pivoted from practicing law into education for a national Law Firm; and Jeremy Johnson, an accomplished Barrister and Arbitrator at Bankside Chambers.
Through an open, candid conversation, the panel will explore how each of them started, has navigated critical decision points, unexpected challenges, and evolving definitions of success. Rather than presenting a single path, the chat will highlight the diverse ways one can thrive in the legal profession both now and later in careers - whether through traditional practice in different environments, education and leadership or entrepreneurial ventures.
Attendees will gain insight into what a start in law could look like, how to build strong professional relationships, acquire skills and make bold but informed career moves, and remain adaptable in the evolving legal landscape. They will talk about technology, future-proofing, day-to-day reality and even field some questions from the audience.
Joe Consedine, Co-founder, Mobilise – Inclusive Leadership and Allyship
Aotearoa New Zealand is changing—fast. Our population is more ethnically diverse than ever, with Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities shaping the future fabric of our country. At the same time, technology is transforming how and where we work, and Gen Z is bringing new values and expectations to the workplace: purpose, flexibility, inclusion.
In this evolving landscape, inclusive leadership isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a strategic imperative.
Drawing on research from the London School of Economics’ Inclusive Individual study, Joe Consedine explores critical traits of future-ready leaders.. These traits aren’t just about managing difference—they’re about unlocking potential, driving innovation, and creating cultures where everyone can thrive.
Joe will challenge legal professionals to think beyond technical excellence and ask: How do we lead in a way that includes, inspires, and connects?
Because in the future of work, the most valuable skill we can build is the ability to bring others with us.
Closing Keynote – coming soon!