Three ANU Law scholars have co-authored a research article examining new lawyers’ perceptions of the ethicality of their workplace.
Dr Stephen Tang
Honorary Lecturer
LLB (Hons I), BPsych (Hons I), GDLP, LLM (Legal Practice), PhD (Clinical Psychology), AMusA, Australian Lawyer, Registered Psychologist, MAPS
ANU College of Law, 5 Fellows Rd, Acton ACT 2600
Research Themes
Research Centre
Biography
Stephen Tang is a legal-psychological researcher who applies psychological theory and methods to understand and reform legal regulation, legal education and the legal profession. His main research interest relate to mental health and the law, behavioural legal ethics, therapeutic jurisprudence, mental health legislation and legal decision-making.
In addition to his legal experience, Stephen holds a PhD (Clinical Psychology). His doctoral research developed a new psychological model of indecision and indecisiveness. Stephen is a registered psychologist with a particular interest in the practice of collaborative and therapeutic psychological assessment.
Stephen also has developed extensive public sector experience in health policy, compliance and regulation. He has worked in the ACT and Commonwealth governments in mental health policy and legislation, and more recently, as an Assistant Director of a leading behavioural insights unit. Stephen has also acted as a consultant to the WHO on mental health policy, law, human rights and service development.
Significant research publications
- Stephen Tang, Tony Foley & Vivien Holmes, ‘Ethical Misconduct by New Australian Lawyers: Prevalence and Prevention’ (in press) International Journal of the Legal Profession.
- Anneka Ferguson & Stephen Tang, ‘The Value of Determination: Moving Beyond the Diagnosis and Making Legal Education Professional and Well’ in C Strevens & R Field (eds), Educating for Well-Being in Law (2019, Routledge).
- Stephen Tang, 'Mental Health Law' in the ACT Law Handbook (AustLII and Legal Aid ACT, 2018).
- Vivien Holmes, Stephen Tang, Tony Foley and Margie Rowe, 'Australian Legal Practice: Ethical Climate and Ethical Climate Change' in Ron Levy et al (eds), New Directions for Law in Australia: Essays in Contemporary Law Reform (ANU Press, 2017) ch 43.
- Vivien Holmes, Tony Foley, Stephen Tang & Margie Rowe, 'Regulating Lawyers' (2017) 91(5) Law Institute Journal 24.
- Stephen Tang, Being Well in the Law: A Guide for Lawyers (Law Society of NSW, 2016) (author/co-author of various chapters, with Tony Foley, Ian Hickie, Vivien Holmes, Colin James and Margie Rowe).
- Stephen Tang, 'Valuing Persons and Communities in Doing Wellness for Law Well' in Rachael Field, James Duffy and Colin James (eds), Promoting Law Student and Lawyer Well-being in Australia and Beyond (Routledge, 2016) ch 1.
- Tony Foley and Stephen Tang, 'On Being, Not Just Thinking Like, a Lawyer: Connections Between Uncertainty, Ignorance and Wellbeing' in Rachael Field, James Duffy and Colin James (eds), Promoting Law Student and Lawyer Well-being in Australia and Beyond (Routledge, 2016) ch 10.
- Vivien Holmes, Tony Foley, Stephen Tang and Margie Rowe, ‘Helping Junior Lawyers Thrive’ (2015) 89(9) Law Institute Journal 44.
- Stephen Tang and Tony Foley, ‘The Practice of Law and the Intolerance of Certainty’ (2014) 37 UNSW Law Journal 1198.
- Stephen Tang and Anneka Ferguson, ‘The Possibility of Wellbeing: Preliminary Results from Surveys of Australian Professional Legal Education Students’ (2014) 14 QUT Law Review 27.
- Molly Townes O’Brien and Stephen Tang, ‘Law School Too Hard? Why the Struggle Could Be a Good One’, The Conversation (23 September 2013).
- Tony Foley, Vivien Holmes, Margie Rowe and Stephen Tang, ‘Teaching Professionalism in Legal Clinic: What New Practitioners Say is Important’ (2012) 17 International Journal of Clinical Legal Education 5.
- Molly Townes O'Brien, Stephen Tang and Kath Hall, ‘No Time to Lose: Negative Impact on Law Student Wellbeing May Begin in Year One’ (2012) 2 International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education 49.
- Vivien Holmes, Tony Foley, Stephen Tang and Margie Rowe, ‘Practising Professionalism: Observations from an Empirical Study of New Australian Lawyers’ (2012) 15 Legal Ethics 29.
- Tony Foley, Vivien Holmes, Margie Rowe and Stephen Tang, ‘A Puppy Lawyer is Not Just for Christmas: Successful Transition to Professional Practice’ (ANU College of Law Research Paper, 2011).
- Molly Townes O’Brien, Stephen Tang and Kath Hall, ‘Changing Our Thinking: Empirical Research on Law Student Wellbeing, Thinking Styles and the Law Curriculum’ (2011) 21 Legal Education Review 149.
- Natalie Drew, Michelle Funk, Stephen Tang, Jagannath Lamichhane, Elena Chávez, Sylvester Katontoka, Soumitra Pathare, Oliver Lewis, Lawrence Gostin and Benedetto Saraceno, ‘Human Rights Violations of People with Mental and Psychosocial Disabilities: An Unresolved Global Crisis’ (2010) 378 The Lancet 1664.
- Kath Hall, Molly Townes O’Brien and Stephen Tang, ‘Developing a Professional Identity in Law School: A View from Australia’ (2010) 4 Phoenix Law Review 19.
Recent news
30
Nov
2017
ANU Law graduand Kathy Liu was recently named a Global Winner in the 2017 Undergraduate Award for law, for a research essay written for LAWS4260 Law and Psychology.
22
Sep
2015
The transition from law student to newly-admitted lawyer is a critical time, not only for the mental health and wellbeing of these lawyers but for the future of the profession.
05
Feb
2015
A national forum hosted by the ANU Legal Workshop and the Wellness Network for Law will reinforce the importance of wellbeing for those working in the legal profession and the need for systemic reforms, rather than Band-Aid solutions.
In the Media
3
May
2021
Stephen Tang writes in The Conversation
1
Mar
2018
Stephen Tang quoted in Lawyers Weekly
1
Mar
2018
Stephen Tang quoted in Lawyers Weekly
19
Dec
2016
Stephen Tang speaks to Lawyers Weekly
Past events
02-03
Mar
2019
9.00AM to 5.00PM Conference
- Justice Stephen Gageler AC, High Court of Australia
This conference brings together members of the judiciary, academics, policy makers and experts in fields such as psychology, to consider current issues and challenges in the Australian justice system.
