Juno Counsel - In-house legal community

May | Mei 2025

Since our recent Greenwashing and Climate Reporting webinar, we’ve been thinking a lot about energy, how we use it, renew it, and where we direct it. Not only environmentally, but also mentally and emotionally. In-house legal roles can demand a lot, so this month we’re sharing stories about where that energy goes, what sustains it, and how we use it wisely.

In this issue, we reconnect with the NZ Post Legal & Regulatory team to explore how they direct their energy toward connection, context, and steady support across a complex, decentralised organisation. Juno Lawyer Margot Lyons shares how she adapts her style to fit each client, and our team brings their highlights back from ILANZ Conference 2025, where the fire within Aotearoa's in-house legal community burned bright.

We’re delighted to announce that registrations are open for our Juno Learning: Mental health and wellbeing for in-house lawyers, led by our special guest, clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire.

We’re also making a small shift in how we stay in touch. We’ll still be in touch monthly, with CPD invitations, occasional features, and other timely insights from across the in-house legal community, while Juno Counsel itself will now arrive quarterly as part of that rhythm. This lets us share in a way that’s deliberate and considered, timed to help focus on the right things at the right time, respecting inbox and energy.

TEAM OVERVIEW: NZ Post

The Legal & Regulatory team at NZ Post brings clarity and calm to a complex, decentralised business, offering steady guidance while staying focused on what matters rather than chasing perfection. With deep institutional knowledge and a strong sense of context, they help others manage risk and make progress where it counts. From nationwide roadshows to behind-the-scenes support, their work is built on trust, connection, and timely advice.

"We work hard to understand people’s context and what they’re trying to achieve, and give pragmatic and situation-specific advice"

Read how NZ Post’s Legal & Regulatory team leads with clarity and connection

FEATURE: ILANZ Conference 2025 - The Fire Within

Ngā mihi nui to the ILANZ team for curating and delivering such a thoughtful programme of learning, connection, and celebration for in-house lawyers across Aotearoa. Whakamihi to all the award finalists and winners 👏 It was a real highlight to see this mahi and dedication recognised.

Juno’s Wendy Chen joined the ILANZ 2025 Conference alongside several of our team, returning with insights that stayed with us long after the final session. She’s gathered reflections on the kōrero that challenged, inspired, and lit a spark.

Read Juno insights from the ILANZ 2025 conference

JUNO STAFF INSIGHT: Margot Lyons

Juno Lawyer Margot Lyons shares how she shapes each engagement to fit the client, drawing on her commercial instincts, mentoring mindset, and a flair for creative problem-solving. From flexible work to sandwich policies (yes, really), Margot’s approach is not really one-size-fits-all.

“What I love most about Juno (birthday meringues aside) is that I don’t have to choose between great work and all the other things that are important to me.”

Read Margot’s reflections on flexibility and good work

JUNO LEARNING: Mental health and wellbeing for in-house lawyers

Tuesday 17 June 2025
12.00 – 1.00pm
Free online webinar | 1 CPD hour

You're invited to a practical lunchtime session on mental health and wellbeing in the in-house legal world, led by clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire. Jacqui brings both deep expertise and real insight into the pressures lawyers face, and she’s worked with legal teams across Aotearoa to help support sustainable, healthy ways of working.

She’ll be sharing research-backed strategies to help you understand and take care of your own wellbeing and support those around you, whether that’s in your legal team, across the business, or at home.

Already know you want to join us?
Register now via Zoom – a quick, no-fuss Zoom sign-up. You’ll get the Zoom confirmation and link straight to your inbox.

Prefer to read the full invite first?
Click here to read more about the session and register there – this link takes you to our shareable invitation with more about what to expect, and why it matters.

OFFICE HACK: Prompting the Prompt

Each AI prompt you send uses significantly more energy than a regular web search, so it pays to skip vague prompts like “make this better”. A recent article from Why Try AI explores two smart ways to prompt to let AI prompt itself:

1. Let AI help you prompt smarter
“I’m working on [brief task]. What would be the most effective prompt to get a useful result for this?”

2. Ask for questions before answers
“I’m trying to solve [insert task]. Please ask me three clarifying questions before you respond, so we can make this efficient and on-target.”

And in case you missed it, read (or re-read!) Juno Lawyer Mitch Julian's reassurance that we won't need to be retraining as prompt engineers any time soon.

WHAT WE ARE READING
Shared by the Juno team, these picks don't have a lot to do with law, but everything to do with timing:
The Joy of Small Things by Hannah Jane Parkinson. Sharp, funny reminders to notice what matters (like a really good bathrobe).

Wilderness Magazine: Aotearoa’s outdoors magazine, full of trip ideas, gear reviews, inspiration and escapism.

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Juno is a leading provider of on-demand legal services and flexible in-house lawyers, actively supporting Aotearoa's in-house legal community. Get in touch today to discuss options for experienced in-house legal support on an interim basis, embedded within your team, or on a managed legal services basis. Click here to see our full range of services.