As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to take a step back and reflect on what has been a year of major change. War in the Middle East and Ukraine, the American election delivering more plot twists than an Agatha Christie novel and closer to home, cost-of-living pressures, high interest rates and the pervasive rise of AI – it has all felt like a lot.
Amidst such change, we caught up with award-winning lawyer Marianne Marchesi, founder and managing principal of Legalite, for her reflections on the year that’s been.
Known for her innovative approach to legal practice and her commitment to empowering women in business, Marchesi has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of Australia's Most Influential Lawyers by Australasian Lawyer and winning multiple awards for Legalite. In this interview she shares insights from her personal and professional journey in 2024, highlighting the lessons she learned and the achievements that shaped her year.
Learning from a year of teachable moments
“2023 was pivotal for me in terms of teachable moments,” Marianne says. “I was pregnant (and quite unwell), then on parental leave from September 2023 until February 2024.”
Her parental leave was fraught with uncertainty due to a tumultuous market. Being out of the business when the market was quite unpredictable caused Marianne to feel out of control, this was something she found quite confronting.
“However, it taught me the importance of having a stable and supportive team in place to hold the fort when I can’t,” Marianne says. “Heading into 2024, I organised a team strategy day with everyone in the firm so that we could get aligned on our vision for the future and our strategic priorities for the next 12 months. This was game-changing for us, as it re-energised us for the year ahead, ensuring we were all on the same page, and in a way, ‘renewed’ each of our vested interests in making Legalite a success.”
Giving birth just a couple of weeks after war broke out in the Middle East, Marianne was also acutely reminded of her privilege.
“I remember seeing footage of women fleeing Palestine on foot, in the scorching heat, with their newborn babies, while I safely held my newborn baby myself,” Marianne shares. “Being of partial Palestinian heritage myself, it was a stark reminder of how privileged I was to be able to give birth safely in Australia, have the highest-grade medical support around me, and be supported into early motherhood. An abundance mindset is not just for work - it’s a perspective that can be applied to any aspect of life.”
Cultivating an abundance mindset for uncertain times
“I’ve always said in business that ‘you win some, you lose some,’” Marianne says. “An abundance mindset is what has carried me through the losses. It’s a mindset that teaches us to look forward with optimism, and not to ruminate on the past. I’ve been amazed to see how the ‘universe’ has responded to my mindset. It’s almost like I’ve manifested the things I’ve dreamed of!”
Marianne recently posted a photo of her deadlifting 25kg during her pregnancy in 2023.
“This time last year, I’d just started my parental leave and I’ve been reflecting on my pregnancy before my daughter turns one. If I’m honest, 2023 was a bit of a difficult year.
I see an exhausted, pregnant mum. Dark circles under my eyes. A humble 25kg lift, far less than my usual. A slightly off form because of the pain I was experiencing in my right hip.
But I also see (or rather, know) the mindset I had in this moment:
🙏 I was grateful for the small movements I could do.
⏰ I knew this was temporary.
💪 I was open to whatever strength I could build during my pregnancy, no matter how tiny.
👏 I wasn’t embarrassed to be “working out” with athletes doing 95kg lifts and handstand push-ups like any other day. I was happy for them.
This past year has taught me a big lesson. Huge, actually.
The secret to building strength - mentally and physically - has been embracing an abundance mindset.
Purposely surrounding myself with positive energy and choosing to focus on growth, even in small steps, has been lifechanging. It sounds simple, but it’s not (at least not for me! 😅).”
Reflecting on the photo, Marianne says she sees “a really tired Marianne!”
“I don’t remember another time in my life when I have felt that exhausted and ‘weighed down’ by all the pressures in my life at that time,” she admits. “But I’m so proud of the determination I showed. I knew the mindset I had at that moment: I was grateful, I knew this was temporary, and I was open to whatever movements/strength I could do during my pregnancy, no matter how small.”
From learning curves comes achievement
Whereas 2023 was a challenging year full of learning curves, according to Marianne, 2024 has been incredible and full of achievements.
“Personally, I’ve overcome post-partum anxiety, have got back into the gym (lifting more than 25kg this time!), and am happily raising two beautiful children.”
“Professionally, Legalite is living its best life. We’re working with and attracting quality clients who we love (and love us), our team culture is the best it’s ever been, and we’re being recognised both inside and outside of the industry. On both the personal and professional fronts, I’m extremely proud of how I’ve turned things around from ‘surviving’ (in 2023), to thriving.”
