Since the launch of our Solicitor Capability Framework at the beginning of September, thousands of practitioners have logged on to learn more about this new tool that defines the enduring, non-technical skills and behaviours that reflect best practice as a solicitor.

Dr Marcus Bowles, Chair and co-founder of The Institute of Working Futures, was one of the experts that helped us to develop this tool. I’m delighted to announce a webinar featuring Dr Bowles will be broadcast this Thursday, 13 November.

In our discussion, we’ll explore the reasons and rationale for developing the Framework, the process we used to put it together and test it, and how solicitors can use the Framework to meet their professional development goals. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll discuss what a capability is.

Established in 1990, The Institute of Working Futures has played a leading role in building future-ready capability across people, enterprises and professions. This webinar will be essential viewing for any solicitor looking to develop the key capabilities needed to thrive in practice, today and into the future.

As I mentioned when launching this initiative, the Solicitor Capability Framework represents a significant achievement, in keeping with my President’s Priority to deliver quality support for solicitors’ success.

If you haven’t downloaded the Framework yet, I encourage you to do so. Then, register to view the webinar this Thursday to hear more about how the Solicitor Capability Framework can help guide your progress in our profession to even greater heights.

A path to financial success
Success can be measured in many ways, including the financial security and sustainability of your practice. I want to remind regional practitioners in particular about our first ever Financial Success Seminar, to be held on Friday, 21 November in Wagga Wagga.

We have partnered with the South West Slopes Regional Law Society to bring together a program tailored to regional practice.

It will be headlined by Andrew Chen, a Senior Partner at Findex. Andrew’s expertise is in advising partners and principals at both boutique and top tier law firms on improving financial outcomes. Andrew will focus on what does, and should, matter to you financially; the levers you can deploy to achieve it; and whether data can help secure the future for your practice.

Success also requires the right mindset, so our Wellbeing Manager Anna Fischer will deliver a session entitled Mind over money: The psychology of money and financial planning. Anna will discuss the cognitive biases that influence decision making when money, reputation, and risk are involved.

Our Director of Legal Regulation Valerie Griswold will lead a session on Succession and Contingency planning. This is an issue of critical importance to sole practitioners and practice leaders, as is the introduction of the new anti-money laundering-counter terrorism (AML/CTF) financing regime. Our Head of Regulatory Policy and Strategy Bobbie Wan will deliver a timely session on preparing for this regime, in the light of the recent publication of the AML/CTF Rules and Core Guidance for practitioners.

There are limited spaces remaining for this seminar to be held at Wagga Wagga’s Riverine Club. Make your booking here, by this Friday, to secure your place.

Jennifer Ball, President, The Law Society of NSW