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Maxim Shanahan

Yesterday

Basil Zempilas.

Coverage of Basil Zempilas rival unfair, imbalanced: press watchdog

The Seven West-funded Independent Media Council has upheld three complaints about negative coverage of the Perth mayor’s opponent.

This Month

The ATO and PwC were in a long-running battle over expansive claims before the tax scandal broke.

Harsher penalties urged for PwC-style false privilege claims

The changing nature of law firms is making privilege claims more difficult to determine, a federal government discussion paper says.

Private equity deal: Slater & Gordon

Slater & Gordon staff win pay rise of up to 22pc

Long-running pay negotiations between the Labor-aligned legal firm and staff have ended without a key union demand being met.

A scene from Picnic at Hanging Rock. From left: Karen Robson as Irma, Anne-Louise Lambert as Miranda, Jane Vallis as Marion and Christine Schuler as Edith.

From Picnic at Hanging Rock to making it as a lawyer in Hollywood

Karen Robson starred in the 1975 film, then went to law school and founded the Los Angeles office of a law firm where she still practises today.

  • Updated
Tip: Justice Richard Niall.

Former human rights barrister to lead Victorian Supreme Court

Court of Appeal judge Richard Niall, who is recognised for his administrative and constitutional law expertise, has been picked to be Victoria’s chief justice.

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Alan Jones outside court.

Jones vows to fight charges as details emerge of new alleged assaults

In his first public remarks since his arrest, former radio king Alan Jones denied indecently assaulting anyone. Fresh charges were laid relating to a 10th alleged victim.

  • Updated
The country’s biggest law firms are cutting staff for the first time in years, but their mid-tier rivals are still growing.

Top-tier firms are cutting lawyer numbers for the first time in years

The country’s most prominent legal practices have reduced the number of lawyers they employ in the past six months. But their mid-tier rivals are hiring.

Another Corrs partner follows rebel group to KWM

Corrs property partner Lizzie Knight will follow seven Corrs partners to King & Wood Mallesons, becoming the latest to move between the two major firms.

Law Partnership Survey

Explore: Law Partnership Survey results for second-half of 2024

The latest results show law firms continue to perform strongly, boosted by big-ticket deals, litigation assignments, and the steady flow of fees from insolvencies and disputes.

KWM’s Renae Lattey, MinterEllison’s Virginia Briggs and HSF’s Kristin Stammer.

It was a boom year for law firms. But signs of a slowdown have emerged

Law firms held their gains in the second half of 2024, but some leaders are wary of rising pressures on price and profit margins.

Legal regulators and courts are reacting against law firms’ rapid embrace of artificial intelligence.

New AI rules for lawyers: stick to email, not legal work

Law firms have made a rapid embrace of AI, but regulators have recommended lawyers only use the technology for basic tasks.

Meet the eight new judges joining the Federal Court

The president of the Victorian Bar, the head of ANU Law School and leading commercial barristers are among a swathe of new appointments.

Clyde & Co and GilChrist Connell.

Wave of partner exits unsettles Clyde & Co amid turnaround struggles

The London-headquartered law firm’s entire local cybersecurity practice is leaving, taking to one-third the number of senior departures over the last 12 months.

November

Tom Hughes, KC, in his Sydney chambers in 2008.

Former attorney-general Tom Hughes, KC, dies aged 101

The former fighter pilot and barrister has been hailed as a leading figure in the history of the Australian legal profession.

SLater & Gordon will head to conciliation as it negotiates with the Australian Services Union over a new pay deal.

Union slams ‘shameful’ Slater & Gordon offer after pay talks fail

Slater & Gordon has put a pay deal direct to staff, after Fair Work-brokered negotiations failed on Wednesday.

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Pro bono laggards rewarded as major law firms cut free hours

Law firms were warned that failure to meet a target for pro bono hours would endanger government assignments, but laggards have been rewarded.

Clayton Utz and MinterEllison took home almost 20 per cent of government legal fees.

Government legal spending hits $600m

Commonwealth spending on legal fees increased rapidly before an overhaul of the government panel, but barristers’ bills were trimmed.

Baker McKenzie’s local managing partner, Anne-Marie Allgrove.

Baker McKenzie abandons merger plan after second defeat

The vote failed by a greater margin than the initial ballot and upends management’s strategy for the local division of the global firm.

Law firm accused of improper billing and discrimination

A legal assistant alleges he was forcibly made redundant at Lander & Rogers after complaining about appropriate access when he started using a wheelchair.

US President-elect Donald Trump.

‘Happy days’: Trump presidency poised to benefit Australian law firms

They predict a rise in bills following Donald Trump’s election victory, as his administration pledges to cut regulations and tear up trade deals.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/by/maxim-shanahan-p536w7