Today
‘What email?’: Inside Slater and Gordon’s workplace meltdown
An all-staff email featuring the pay details of more than 900 staff has ricocheted around a law firm already torn between its private equity owner and trade union heritage.
Yesterday
Slaters staff (CEO included) shared rogue email 300 times in an hour
In an emergency meeting, Slater and Gordon chief executive Dina Tutungi said allegations in a rogue email were “rubbish” and her wage was exaggerated by a “shitload”.
February
Second Slater and Gordon HR manager sues firm
Former payroll manager Bridgett Maddox is suing Slater and Gordon and alleges she was sacked after reporting a decade-long underpayment.
Chief justices in stand-off over ‘surprise’ review intervention
The Federal Court Chief Justice withdrew a surprise submission to a review of the Federal Circuit and Family Court, after its Chief Justice complained.
Slater and Gordon to make police report over mass email revealing salaries
The email sent to hundreds of Slater and Gordon staff purports to reveal all staff members’ salaries and performance ratings, as well as the outgoing head of HR’s views on key managers.
Kendrick Lamar and Japanese punk: Meet Victoria’s new chief justice
Richard Niall, KC, was welcomed to his new role this week, and was provided with some advice by the current head of the Federal Court.
Judge lets rip at intolerant universities as source of antisemitism
Justice Michael Lee blames antisemitism on cancel culture and intellectual conformity in universities.
Synagogue to mosque, the legal profession gathers in a divided city
Members of the NSW and federal judiciary, along with solicitors and barristers, gather for traditional religious ceremonies at a time of heightened tension.
‘You have to be at the top of your game to survive’
London’s legal market is famously competitive, something Adelaide lawyer Eloise Crompton has come to admire.
Progress stalls on bar’s pay gap, with targets under review
Just one-fifth of the $1.8 billion worth of reported briefs went to women last financial year, according to Law Council data.
Why the Star case has unnerved Australian boardrooms
“It’s a private company” is a big selling point for directors when headhunters call, and ASIC’s case against the embattled casino group is making many directors more nervous about public company boards.
College of Law stares down disquiet about high fees and cheating
The not-for-profit is the largest provider of legal education for prospective lawyers. But concerns are mounting over how its big profit is spent.
Job cuts loom at EY as firm reconsiders stand-alone legal practice
The consulting giant’s local chief executive, David Larocca, has warned staff that a proposed restructure could lead to redundancies.
High Court decides no judge can be sued, even for false imprisonment
In a unanimous ruling, the peak court said controversial Federal Circuit Court judge Salvatore Vasta should not be personally liable for wrongly jailing a man.
What the new hate crime laws mean for arrests and sentencing
New offences created by the Commonwealth will raise the seriousness of criminal conduct, but a NSW proposal shapes as the most significant change to hate laws.
Top NSW judge says Elon Musk is fanning antisemitism
Chief Justice Andrew Bell says the Tesla chief executive and Mark Zuckerberg were emboldened by Donald Trump to act in ways that harmed social cohesion.
High Court win for law firm over billionaire’s private company
Atanaskovic Hartnell closed off a second near decade-long legal battle in a matter of months, ahead of a busy year for the High Court.
The Federal Court finally comes clean on (lavish) work functions
Officials have finally revealed the impost of former chief justice James Allsop’s national farewell tour. Some of his colleagues held more restrained affairs.
Law firms prep for year ahead by poaching big names from rivals
The big firms have capitalised on a soft professional services market, spending the summer picking off partners and staff for their own ranks.
January
Burnt-out lawyers seek exit amid long hours, high targets
Australian billing targets are moderate compared with big US legal firms, but profit pressures mean partners are pushing juniors to work longer.