Mastering Wills and Estates: Practice Updates and Program Insights

It’s a common question: how do you become an in-house lawyer? Is there a good time to make the move? How do you prepare, via secondments or other relevant experience? What qualities make a great in-house lawyer?

In-house is a very different environment to a law firm, especially as most in-house teams are still relatively small – often between three to six lawyers.

Download this guide to learn more about Dispute Resolution in a nutshell, the core expertise of a Dispute Resolution practitioner, the personal strengths of a Dispute Resolution practitioner, related areas of expertise, as well as specialisation options in Dispute Resolution such as Mediation, Family Dispute Resolution, and Collaborative law.

Learn how Jess Grumelart forged a career in family law through a chance encounter at a careers fair - and an LLM in Applied Law (Family Law). We spoke to Jess about her road to family law, how her LLM helped her connect to a community of supportive family lawyers, and what advice she might have for lawyers wondering to align their legal career with their interests and passions.

Download this guide to learn about a Career in International Arbitration. International arbitration is sometimes called a hybrid form of international dispute resolution, since it blends elements of civil law procedure and common law procedure, while allowing the parties a significant opportunity to design the arbitral procedure under which their dispute will be resolved.

Looking to optimise legal operations and improve service delivery across your firm?Download the course guide. During this course, you’ll cover everything from strategic planning to information governance to financial management. And you’ll walk away with the expertise and confidence to meet today’s legal challenges – head on.

Unlock the insider insights to becoming a Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP) in this exclusive recorded webinar by the esteemed experts at the College of Law.

Whether you're a legal professional eager to elevate your skills or a mediator aiming to expand your toolkit, this session covers all the essential details on the journey to becoming an FDRP.

Download your guide to a career in-house for everything you need to know about in-house practice in a nutshell, the personal strengths of an in-house lawyer, the core expertise of an in-house lawyer, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in-house.

Kiarah embodies the archetype of a lifelong learner – and she’s kindly shared her career tips from a serial student

Adeline Schiralli, Consulting Principal at Keypoint Law (NSW), is a master of Wills and Estates law. Literally. Adeline traces her journey to specialisation, highlighting the College of Law’s LLM as a crucial step to accreditation.

Download your guide to a career in government and public sector law for everything you need to know about government and public sector law in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a government and public sector lawyer, the core expertise of a government and public sector lawyer, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in government and public sector law.

Significant changes in legal delivery are occurring around the globe. Traditional ways of doing business have given way to innovation at lightning speed. Shift your way of thinking, solve problems efficiently and identify new opportunities for growth.

What’s the difference between management and leadership? This subject is a road map to understanding the complexities and motivations of individuals and teams, and how to lead them to success.

Navigating the legal world requires a sharp mind and empathy – especially in matters of succession law. Krystal Bellamy, a Special Counsel at HopgoodGanim Lawyers and College of Law LLM graduate, naturally embodies these traits, which have served her well as a Wills and Estates lawyer. Krystal shares the key to thriving in what some would consider a ‘morbid’ field.

For legal practitioners in Wills & Estates, finding clear ways to consider and assess mental capacity in a variety of situations is crucial. We spoke to College of Law Lecturer Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth, and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. Josephine shares key elements from the Law Council of Australia’s Best Practice Guide for Legal Practitioners on Assessing Mental Capacity or ‘the BPG’.

Download your guide to a career in family dispute resolution practice for everything you need to know about FDR in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a FDR Practitioner, the core expertise of a FDRP, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in FDR.

LLM graduate Ilvana Nanic shares why she finds family law so rewarding, and her advice to lawyers interested in studying The College of Law LLM.

Explore how an LLM helped best graduating student (commercial litigation) Dominique Mayo advance her career.

Jo Bragg, a solicitor in regional Tasmania, started as a generalist lawyer. Her personal experience of separation, along with increasing client demand, prompted her to move into family law. Insights spoke to Jo about what attracted her to family law, what her day-to-day life looks like in practice, and her advice for lawyers looking to move into the area.

Kathryn Kearley webinar on navigating recent the family law changes and the College of Law's family law postgraduate programs.

Recently, the Supreme Court of New South Wales introduced combined Succession & Probate Lists, applicable to family provision claims and contested probate applications. Queensland is also trialling a Wills and Estates List and there are likely to be further implications for other jurisdictions. We spoke to College of Law Lecturer Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth, about what you need to know and how this will impact your practice.

In Australia, the legal profession is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and complex demands from clients and employers. Legal operations professionals, not necessarily with legal backgrounds, are pivotal in integrating new technologies, project management, and process improvements to meet modern market needs.

Download the Dispute Resolution Postgraduate Course Guide to learn how our program can equip you with essential skills to resolve conflicts effectively and build a rewarding career in this growing field.

Download the Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration Practice Course Guide and unlock the skills needed to navigate complex, cross-border legal disputes with confidence and efficiency.

Download the Property Law Postgraduate Course Guide and discover how our specialised program can help you build expertise and thrive in this dynamic field.

How do you transcend the daily grind to do work you love? When can a career become a calling? What steps can you take to achieve the career you want? We spoke to John Poulsen, former CEO of Squire Patton Boggs and Principal of People Passion Performance, for his insights on getting the career you want informed by an illustrious career in law and leadership.

Following a series of reviews of the family law system, on 22 August 2024 the Australian Government introduced the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 into the Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill sets out very significant amendments, including those relating to property settlements, pet custody and children’s arrangements, which aim to modernise and improve the family law system in Australia.

The College of Law recognised over 200 graduates of its Postgraduate Specialisation Programs at the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony on 1 August. These awards included the Master of Laws (Applied Law), Master of Applied Law (Family Law), Graduate Diplomas of Applied Law and Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP).

Embarking on a legal career in local, state, or federal government can be an exciting move. There are many pathways for development, a broad range of practice areas, and often a healthy work-life balance. These roles are highly rewarding, and highly competitive, the College of Law tells you everything you need to know about landing a government job in law.

Graduates and prize winners celebrated their achievements, received their awards and honours remotely due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

Rick Christie, owner of ChristieLaw and committee member of STEP NSW, had always been attracted to the personal side of wills and estates. Insights spoke to Rick about how he came to specialise in wills and estates, what advice he might have for lawyers looking to move into the area, and what role industry organisation STEP can play for lawyers keen to become specialists.

Download your guide to a career in property law for everything you need to know about property law in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a property lawyer, the core expertise of a property lawyer, related areas of expertise, and the career prospects in property law.

In this webinar, three Accredited Specialists in Wills and Estates, Max Williams, Natalie Silvester, and Rachael Hocking, will provide key updates on wills and estates law across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. They will share their experiences and motivations for pursuing specialisation, and explore how the College of Law’s postgraduate program can help advance your career and education in this field.

What does it take to become one of the country’s top-performing specialist lawyers? 

According to Craig Gregson – who consistently snags a spot in Doyle’s Guide for his work in Wills and Estates – a healthy dose of ambition is key. And so is plenty of quality education. 

We congratulate and celebrate the success of the most recent graduates of our Postgraduate Specialisation Programs. These achievements demonstrate the culmination of hard work, diligence and commitment to mastery of their chosen area of law.

Brid Heffernan has grown through legal recruitment, litigation ops and support, and legaltech - the quintessential business of law. We caught up with Brid to trace her unlikely and impressive trajectory and experience with The College of Law.

Max recounts his path to discovering his passion in Wills and Estates – and how the College of Law helped him along the way.

Learn how Carmel Morrison returned to study with an LLM, and Specialist Accreditation.

Learn why senior associate Alexandra Brand studied legal business subjects to improve her knowledge of marketing, pricing, strategy, and client service.

Download the Commercial Litigation Postgraduate Course Guide to explore how our tailored program can enhance your legal expertise and open up new opportunities in the profession.

Download the Wills and Estates Postgraduate Programs Course Guide and discover how our program can equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of estate planning, probate, and elder law.

Download the ASEAN+6 Legal Practice Postgraduate Course Guide to discover how our program can prepare you for navigating complex international agreements and disputes across the ASEAN+6 region.

Learn practical tools and strategic approaches to spearhead your organisation into the future.

As a family lawyer, you will influence the lives of families who come to you for support and expertise during times of great upheaval and trauma. Download your guide to a career in family law.

Learn what it’s like to work in criminal and domestic violence law with Belinda Robinson, who runs her own practice on the Sunshine Coast.

It is time for Australian lawyers to become better connected with our regional neighbours, says Diligent Corporation's Asia Pacific Legal Counsel, Haylen Pong. Her role at Diligent, a modern governance company, requires frequent interaction with stakeholders, legal counterparts and other commercial interests across in APAC region.

Testator’s family maintenance claims (‘TFM’) can be a tricky area of law. That’s why we caught up with barrister, mediator and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Tasman Fleming, who has conducted mediations in Wills and Estates, and in particular Testator Family Maintenance matters. In this practice update, we explore disentitling conduct, what it involves, and how lawyers can best navigate its challenges.

Have you thought about postgraduate studies? Not sure what it's like, what it takes, and the positive impact it could have on your career? This webinar recording was presented by Tatiana Rabaeva, Head of Postgraduate Programs. It will offer you the opportunity to hear live and gain more insight from the College program Lecturers and Alumni, Adeline Shiralli and Crispian Carlowe.

Download your guide to a career in business law for everything you need to know about business law in a nutshell, personal strengths of a business lawyer, core expertise of a business lawyer, related areas of expertise and career prospects in business law.

In this practice update, we delve into the legal grounds for removing an executor, a situation fraught with potential conflict and complexity. Barrister and adjunct lecturer at the College of Law, Tasman Ash Fleming, offers insights on the most common reasons for executor removal, from conflicts of interest to financial mismanagement. We'll explore the legal process for challenging an executor and the importance of clear evidence to secure a court order in Victoria.

In this practice update, we will explore recent judicial guidance from Jurak v Latham [2023] NSWSC 1318 regarding Notices of Claim and the role they play in family provision proceedings. Here to guide us through the case is Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel and Accredited Specialist (Wills & Estates). 

Barrister and international arbitrator Martin Polaine has worked in over 80 countries. Learn how you can qualify as an international arbitrator with this College of Law pathways to CIArb membership.

Download the Postgraduate Programs Course Guide today and discover how our practical, hands-on approach can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

Download the Family Law Postgraduate Course Guide to learn how our program can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to guide families through complex legal challenges and build a fulfilling career.

Learn how to align workforce planning and strategy in an ever-evolving workplace. Using a wide range of case studies and resources, you’ll consider the practical challenges of a multi-generational workforce, the paradox of being both profitable today and ready for tomorrow and the different ways to communicate your insights to stakeholders.

To navigate a rapidly changing sector, the role of Head of Legal Operations has sprung into life. 

Download your guide to a career in wills and estates for everything you need to know about wills and estates in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a wills and estates lawyer, the core expertise of a wills and estates lawyer, related areas of expertise, and the career prospects in wills and estates law.

Learn how Sian Ogge was promoted to Senior Associate after completing an LLM in Applied Law (Wills & Estates), in which she was recently named Best Graduating Student.

David Peaston has done it all: co-owned a Perisher Valley ski lodge, expanded the family electrical manufacturing business which was then sold to a public company, serving as COO to the purchasing company. In 2008, he returned to the law, and in 2016, established his own practice focussing on wills and estates, property and commercial law.

Mediator and former family lawyer Renee Toy knows human conflict does not pause, even during the Great Pause of 2020. Renee was recently recognised as the College’s best graduating student of Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP), a prize generously sponsored by Barry.Nilsson.Lawyers

The Succession Act 2023, assented on 28 September 2023, makes significant reforms to South Australia’s succession laws. When it comes into effect - on a date yet to be set - it will repeal three Acts (the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) and the Wills Act 1936 (SA)) and amend several others that impact this area of law. We spoke with DBH Lawyers partner and Estates lawyer and College of Law Adjunct Lecturer, Megan Horsell, about what practitioners need to know about the new Act.

Download your guide to a career in commercial litigation for everything you need to know about: commercial litigation in a nutshell, personal strengths of a commercial litigator core expertise of a commercial litigator, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in Commercial Litigation.

Insights spoke to Andrew Boog about how he came to be a business law expert, what he enjoys most about the field, and what advice he might have for lawyers looking to move into business law.

Download the Legal Business Management Course Guide and discover how our innovative program can equip you with the skills to lead, grow, and succeed in today’s competitive legal profession.

Download the Government and Public Sector Law Postgraduate Course Guide and discover how our program equips you with the skills to navigate complex regulations, protect public interest, and drive legal change.

Download the In-House Practice Postgraduate Course Guide to explore how our program equips you with the skills to manage legal risks, lead internal legal teams, and make impactful decisions within an organisation.

In today’s competitive legal landscape, there is more at financial play than ever before. Valuable, golden opportunities are there for the taking. Develop a deep, broad understanding of financial performance and the opportunities surrounding your organisation's finances.

In this subject, you’ll uncover insights into the client buying process and experience, for the purpose of growing your targeted customer base and accelerating your business growth.

Looking to boost your legal career but not ready to dive into a full-on Master of Laws (LLM)? The Graduate Certificate in Applied Law might be the answer. Offering a flexible and affordable way to upskill, the Graduate Certificate is perfect for busy legal professionals who want to sharpen their skills or master a particular field.

Tasman Ash Fleming, a barrister and accredited mediator (NMAS), highlights the importance of considering what is the purpose of the order sought. This article looks at the recent decision in Re Estate of Hagendorfer (Injunction) [2024] VSC 482 (‘Hagendorfer’) and addresses potential risks and provides guidance for practitioners to mitigate these risks.

It’s not often in-house lawyers find a hero in pop culture. From Suits and Ally McBeal, Law and Order, and To Kill a Mockingbird, popular portrayals of lawyers tend to focus on courtroom action and private practice, which are primarily the domain of litigators and corporate lawyers. Gerri Kellman, the pragmatic general counsel of prestige TV hit Succession, provides a rare glimpse into the realities of in-house law. As we close out the fourth and final season of Succession, we take a closer look at how Gerri’s Machiavellian manoeuvres have seen her secure her status as survivor, elder advisor and master of the chaotic powerplays that dominate the Roy family empire. 

We spoke with Lauren about her journey to legal specialisation. And how the College of Law was instrumental in getting her there. 

Learn how Ashlee Wachtel used her postgrad studies, in which she was recently named Best Graduating Student in Family Law, to enrich her practice of family law.

For Bree Mawhinney, studying a Masters in Applied Law through The College of Law meant embracing a career change to private practice. Bree, then a Senior Legal Officer at the Attorney-General’s Department, had spent her career in the criminal law division advising the Federal Government on pardons and appeals regarding federal crimes. Her dream, however, was to move to a smaller practice closer to her Snowy Mountains home and focus on family law. 

Download the Business Law and Transactions Postgraduate Course Guide to discover how our LLM program can help you develop advanced skills and open new doors in the legal profession.

Download the Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP) Course Guide to learn how our program can equip you with the skills to facilitate peaceful resolutions and empower families in times of conflict.

In this course, you’ll explore the fundamental legal technologies shaping the industry. So you can determine the best fit for your business and harness true innovation.

Drawing on cutting-edge leadership theory and organisational psychology principles, this course will give you the self-awareness and critical thinking you need to become a transformational leader in legal business.

During the course, you’ll discuss the current challenges your workplace is facing with guidance from our Teaching Fellows Daljit Singh and Kristen Kramer. In the process, you’ll acquire the critical thinking and cognitive skills to solve similar challenges in the future.

The College of Law celebrates 50 years of service to the legal industry. Since it opened its doors in 1974, the College has empowered over 100,000 professionals to achieve their career aspirations in the law. We take a look at the College’s many legal education milestones and hear from long-standing CEO Neville Carter and Chairman Joseph Catanzariti AM.