The Ryan Tan Show
The Ryan Tan Show is a long-form interview podcast for professionals, founders, and anyone who wants to understand how business, law, finance, and technology actually work in Australia.
Each episode features a deep conversation with practitioners, operators, and experts who have built something, fought something, or know something most people don't. No fluff, no motivational filler - just substantive, honest conversations that go well beyond the surface.
Guests have included insolvency partners, tax lawyers, credit reporting advocates, legal tech founders, and corporate insiders. Conversations regularly run 90 minutes to two hours because the best insights don't come in soundbites.
If you're a founder, director, accountant, lawyer, or just someone who wants to understand the systems that shape Australian business and finance - this is the show for you.
The Ryan Tan Show
The TikTok Lawyer’s Playbook - Coffee and a Case Note with James d’Apice
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What happens when a fourth-generation lawyer walks away from big-firm life and builds one of the most recognisable legal brands in Australia - using coffee, clarity, and a deep command of corporate law?
In this episode of The Ryan Tan Show, I sit down with James d’Apice - founder and principal of Gravamen, and creator of the viral series Coffee and a Case Note - to explore how he’s modernising the legal profession while remaining anchored in serious commercial expertise.
A seasoned commercial litigator, James specialises in shareholder and co-owner disputes, oppression proceedings, and equity claims under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - representing clients in complex matters that often determine control, value, and the future of their businesses. His ability to translate that technical depth into plain English has made Coffee and a Case Note a national phenomenon - a masterclass in accessible, human-centred legal storytelling.
At Gravamen, James applies the same rigour to his practice as he does to his content. The firm’s focus on high-stakes disputes and tailored strategic advice attracts founders, directors, and investors navigating breakdowns in trust and governance. Beyond the courtroom, his Values in Action initiative donates at least $1,000 each month to organisations addressing inequality, wealth disparity, and environmental sustainability - embedding social responsibility into the DNA of the firm.
From litigation strategy and corporate governance to communication and ethics, James shares how discipline, authenticity, and courage can redefine what modern legal leadership looks like.
💡 What You’ll Learn
☕ How Coffee and a Case Note evolved from a one-minute experiment into a national legal micro-brand
📱 Why short-form storytelling and platforms like TikTok are transforming professional credibility and client trust
💸 The economics of charging your rate - and why underpricing erodes both respect and results
⚖️ Lessons from shareholder and oppression disputes - how to recognise, prevent, and resolve co-owner conflicts before they escalate
💼 How Gravamen’s Values in Action program turns principle into policy - proving profit and purpose can coexist
🚀 The blueprint for building a high-value boutique practice grounded in focus, integrity, and client alignment
🌍 Why the next generation of lawyers will need as much fluency in communication and ethics as they do in law
🔗 Connect with James d’Apice
🌐 Website: gravamen.com.au
☕ Watch: Coffee and a Case Note on YouTube
📱 TikTok: @coffeeandacasenote
💼 LinkedIn: James d’Apice
📸 Instagram: @coffeeandacasenote