Episode 235 – Deep Thinking & Soul Searching With a Sense of Humour with Andrew McCormack

The Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast

In this second last episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew McCormack, family lawyer with Thynne + Macartney Lawyers.

Andrew is a great friend of mine, who like me is a Family Lawyer in #brisvegas! Andrew has has been a big part of my legal career, and I am so glad to be able to interview him before this Podcast comes to a close. His story-telling, his sense of humour and his ‘law nerd’ abilities are things that I greatly appreciate, and this interview really embodies these amazing qualities. Andrew has also been a wonderful friend to me particularly during the challenges of 2020 and 2021 so I am glad I got to say ‘Thank you’ and have that recorded for good.

This episode brought a lot of laughter, but also a lot of learnings on everything from entomology to looking after your mental health in #lawland. Andrew openly speaks about his own neurodiversity, burn out and the steps he takes each day to keep at it in #Lawland.

In this interview, Andrew and I also chatted about-

• If Andrew was not a lawyer he would have been an entomologist. (I did have to ask what that was….)
• Andrew is a natural lover of knowledge and shares his interest in all things insects.
• Son of a lawyer, Andrew grew up in a small community on the North Coast of NSW and from the age of 4 was hanging out in his Dad’s law firm.
• Andrew’s father has been a practicing lawyer for over 40 years and Andrew shares what he has learnt from him over the years.
• Small town legal practices vs those in more urban areas.
• His father’s general law practice was established in 1910.
• Andrew attended University where he studied political science and then law.
• How Andrew found himself in Family Law and the aspects of this work that he loves.
• Andrew describes himself as a #lawnerd and loves complex problem-solving.
• The often distressing nature of family law matters and the high rate of burn-out in the field.
• Andrew is the father of 3 daughters and openly says he is outnumbered and absolutely loves it!
• Andrew experienced burnout in 2019 which resulted in taking 3 months of leave.
• The impacts he felt during this time and using this time to find balance again.
• The difference between Dispute Management vs Dispute Resolution.
• Right before the pandemic hit in 2020, Andrew had plans to complete the Bar exam, which was ultimately cancelled.
• Needing to pivot Andrew joined the team at Thynne + Macartney Lawyers. and loves the culture and collaboration of the team.
• Andrew openly takes about his struggles with being risk-averse and how he has learnt to overcome his catastrophising.
• The now out phased Article Clerkship and the value of mentorship.
• Andrew shares that it takes courage to look within and then take the steps to look after yourself.
• The conversation shifts around Mental Health and Neurodiversity and Andrew’s experience in both these areas.
• The importance of fostering conversations with younger generation lawyers and keeping the dialogue open.
• Andrew’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Andrew McCormack.

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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.

Listen to last week’s episode here

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