Unlocking Neurodivergent Talent
Tracks
Concurrent Stream 1
| Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM |
| Wala Mirr Theatre |
Overview
Neurodiversity, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other cognitive profiles, is increasingly recognised within the legal profession, where diverse thinking styles often contribute to strong analytical ability, lateral problem-solving, creativity and deep focus. Yet many traditional legal management structures have not evolved to support these strengths.
In this panel discussion, legal leaders and professionals with lived and workplace experience of neurodiversity explore how law firms can better support neurodiverse talent and strengthen the human skills that define quality legal work: judgment, ethics, critical thinking, communication and professional identity.
Panel Chair Aleisha McKenzie, a law firm director and advocate for neurodiversity, guides a practical conversation on how small changes to workflow design, supervision, expectations and team norms can reduce friction, enhance clarity and improve quality of output. The session offers practical insights, real experiences and actionable strategies firm owners and leaders can implement immediately.
Speaker
Ms Jaime Lumsden
Partner – Fintech, Payments and Blockchain
Hamilton Locke
Unlocking Neurodivergent Talent: Leadership Lessons from Legal Practice - Panellist
Biography
Ms Aleisha MacKenzie
Legal Practice Director
Construct Law Group
Unlocking Neurodivergent Talent: Leadership Lessons from Legal Practice
Biography
Aleisha MacKenzie is the Director of Construct Law Group and an experienced legal practice leader with a strong focus on creating a supportive, respectful and high‑performing environment for her team. Through years of supervising and working alongside neurodiverse legal professionals, Aleisha has developed a grounded, practical understanding of how different thinking and working styles show up in day‑to‑day legal practice and how small, thoughtful adjustments can significantly improve communication, performance and wellbeing.
Her leadership style is centred on clarity, structure and a strengths‑based approach that supports both individual needs and overall team effectiveness. Aleisha is also a committed advocate for neurodiversity within the legal profession and is passionate about helping neurodiverse lawyers and legal professionals find their place, thrive and build sustainable careers in law.
She is dedicated to modernising legal workplace culture in a way that preserves and strengthens the human skills essential to the profession—judgment, ethical decision‑making, critical thinking, communication and professional identity—especially as technology becomes increasingly integrated into legal work.
As Panel Chair, Aleisha brings a balanced perspective, guiding the discussion to draw out real‑world insights that help law firm leaders strengthen the human elements of legal practice and bring out the best in neurodiverse talent.