Andrew Williams joins Beyond Precedent: The Legal Mandala

Andrew Williams Speking Special Panelist at The Legal Mandala Event.

On Friday 21 August 2026, Tarwirri President Andrew Williams recently joined members of the legal community at Beyond Precedent: The Legal Mandala, an event exploring identity, lived experience and belonging within the legal profession.

Andrew participated as a panellist, sharing his experiences and perspectives on navigating the legal profession and the importance of bringing our whole selves to the work we do.

The discussion explored the ways in which identity and lived experience shape the perspectives we bring to the law and to our professional relationships. Rather than viewing difference as something that needs to be minimised, the conversation highlighted the value that diverse experiences and perspectives bring to the legal profession.

Andrew also spoke to the importance of active listening, empathy and compassion in legal practice. While legal knowledge and technical expertise are fundamental to being a lawyer, the ability to genuinely listen to and understand the people and communities we work with is equally important.

Panelists at The Legal Mandala Event.

The event also created space for open conversations about some of the experiences commonly encountered by students and early-career lawyers, including imposter syndrome, belonging, navigating different aspects of identity and uncertainty about the future.

For Tarwirri, creating opportunities for First Nations law students and emerging lawyers to hear these conversations and connect with members of the profession is an important part of building confidence, connection and a sense of belonging within the legal profession.

Tarwirri thanks the Legal ID team for inviting Andrew to be part of Beyond Precedent: The Legal Mandala and for creating a space for meaningful conversations about identity, belonging and what it means to be a lawyer.