Workshop 4: Great Legal Minds Don't Think Alike: Neurodiversity as a Strength in Law
| Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
| Banheep B |
Overview
The legal profession has traditionally rewarded a narrow style of thinking, communication and workplace performance, yet many lawyers, law students and legal professionals are neurodivergent. Increasingly, firms recognise that inclusion is not simply a wellbeing issue; it is critical to recruitment, retention, innovation and sustainable performance.
This interactive workshop explores how legal workplaces can better support neurodivergent professionals through practical strategies in job design, recruitment, leadership and environmental accommodations. Drawing on lived experience, occupational therapy principles and workplace inclusion frameworks, participants gain actionable tools to create psychologically safe, productive and neuro-inclusive legal environments.
Key topics include understanding neurodivergence in legal practice, strength-based job design and role flexibility, neuro-inclusive recruitment and onboarding, sensory and environmental accommodations, communication and leadership strategies, and practical workplace adjustments that make a measurable difference.
Ideal for law firms, practice managers, HR professionals, barristers, in-house legal teams, educators and leaders seeking to improve diversity, retention and workplace performance. Participants leave with practical frameworks, implementation ideas and a stronger understanding of how neurodiversity can become a strategic advantage within legal practice.
Speaker
Ms Justine McKeogh
Director, Senior Occupational Therapist, Behaviour Practitioner, Neurodivergent Coach
Annara Consulting Pty Ltd
Great legal minds don't think alike: Neurodiversity as a strength in law
Biography
I am an Occupational Therapist, Behaviour Practitioner, and Neurodivergent Coach and Trainer with 38 years of experience in disability, and workplace health. I also work in the medico-legal space, and I am the proud mother of 3 Neurodivergent adults, who all work in professional careers including law.
Throughout my career, I’ve supported neurodivergent individuals to understand and manage challenges in their everyday lives. Over time, I’ve come to realise just how crucial sensory processing is — not just for those who are neurodivergent, but for all of us.
In the last few years my curiosity has evolved into a broader interest in how neurodivergent and neurotypical people shape our communities and professional environments. And this is very relevant in law!
My approach is a unique blend of technical expertise, intuition, and compassion, driven by an unwavering commitment to using practical insight and strategic problem-solving to enhance the health and well-being of all staff.
I hope to spark your interest, and to evolve your self-awareness — personally and professionally. The ultimate aim is to develop understanding of your neurodivergent attributes, the need for self advocacy, and to promote the value that these strengths can bring to the legal profession and workplace.
