Thinking differently about risk-taking: Introducing the first CLI Distinguished Fellow, Samy Mansour

Clayton Utz Special Counsel Samy Mansour is committed to legal innovation and the positive change it could bring to the profession. As the Centre for Legal Innovation’s first Distinguished Fellow, Samy will play an integral role in the CLI’s new projects, presenting at CLI masterclasses and developing a master’s level topic on innovation.

Samy has long possessed an interest in legal innovation, having been selected as part of the first cohort of Innovation Champions at Clayton Utz.

He has completed formal innovation training through innovation consultancy Inventium and the Swinburne University of Technology, and authored a number of articles on innovation, including regarding the NSW Innovation Strategy and the Australian Digital Economy Strategy.

Samy is also involved in global innovation initiatives.

“I was a delegate to, and my team was the runner-up in, the 2017 China Australia Millennial Project, a 100 hundred day program that brought together leaders who are passionate about social innovation, and strengthening the Australia-China relationship.”

Named a ‘rising star’ by Australasian Lawyer and Doyle’s Guide to the Legal Profession, Samy's legal career has involved some of Australia’s most significant energy, resources, transport and infrastructure matters. He is also committed to helping junior lawyers develop their skills.

What most attracted Samy to become a CLI Distinguished Fellow was his active interest in how innovation will, and should, impact legal practise.

As a CLI Distinguished Fellow, Samy will focus on legal innovation, publishing blogs, presenting seminars and CLI masterclasses, and contributing to the development of further education in legal innovation.

Samy is excited about the role. “Being named the first CLI Distinguished Fellow offers the opportunity to formally contribute to some of the dialogue on legal innovation, and promote the CLI’s excellent work in this area,” he said.

“I hope the work I undertake as part of the CLI Distinguished Fellow program will encourage members of the profession to think about risk-taking and failure in a different way, and that the CLI’s work will inspire others to take some simple, practical steps to develop their own innovations, and an innovative culture, wherever they work.”

Find out more about the CLI Distinguished Fellow program here. 

Samy will also be a presenter at the upcoming Digital Legal Practice and Innovation Masterclass on 23 - 24 February in Sydney.