The consulting principal also dismantles the popular depiction of lawyers in media
For Nicolina Lademann, the rule of law is a reflection of society’s norms and values and something that she says “requires constant vigilance and active defence”. As a community legal centre volunteer, Lademann often encounters those who need legal advice, but can’t afford legal representation – making access to justice a critical concern for the profession.
In the second part of this interview, the Keypoint Law consulting principal dismantles the popular depiction of lawyers in media and wanting to incorporate a few more rounds of golf into her spare time.
What's one misconception you think people have about lawyers, and how would you correct that misconception?
I believe one of the most common misconceptions people have about lawyers and the legal profession is the notion that we are inherently adversarial — our primary goal is to argue with one another, to create conflict, and ultimately to generate the maximum amount of fees. The reality, in my experience, is quite different.
A great deal of legal work is collaborative and preventative in nature. Much of our time is spent helping clients avoid disputes in the first place and, where issues do arise, finding common ground to reach a sensible and commercial outcome. The popular television courtroom dramas, entertaining as they may be, represent a very narrow slice of what legal practice looks like. These shows make for compelling viewing, of course, but they are not an especially realistic portrayal of the day-to-day work that most lawyers do.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country's legal industry?
There are several pressing challenges facing the legal profession at present, but the notion of access to justice for everyone who needs it, is, in my view, the most critical concern for the profession. I volunteer at a community legal centre, and through the legal clinic I regularly meet people who have a genuine need for sound commercial legal advice, but for whom the cost of legal representation is simply too prohibitive. In reality, this leaves vast and deserving sections of our society unable to access sound legal advice in respect of their rights.
In addition, the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the way legal services are delivered, and this presents both opportunity and risk to the profession. I believe that law firms and practitioners must strike a careful balance between embracing innovation and preserving the quality, judgment, and ethical standards in applying the law which is required of us.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the rule of law worldwide?
I believe that the rule of law is under considerable strain in many parts of the world. As a society, we are witnessing significant challenges to judicial independence, the erosion of democratic norms, and a growing trend of executive overreach across a number of jurisdictions. This is fundamentally at odds with the principle of the separation of powers, which underpins so many of legal systems. In my view, the rule of law is not and will never be a finished project — it requires constant vigilance and active defence, and it is ultimately a reflection of the norms and values of the society.
As lawyers, we bear a particular responsibility to uphold these principles, not only in our daily practice but in the broader life of our communities and in our society.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
In the coming year, I am most looking forward to the challenge of growing my practice and client base on a more national scale through the Keypoint Law model. I am optimistic about the opportunities which await me as I continue to push myself outside my comfort zone, both in my practice and in business. I am also keen to find new and better ways to improve my work-life balance — and, if all goes to plan, to fit in a few more games of golf along the way!
