‘Unprecedented’: Behind the email that blew up Minters

Veteran lawyer Peter Bartlett lifts the lid on the saga that led to the exit of MinterEllison chief Annette Kimmitt.

Peter Bartlett says his career has taught him to advise clients against going to court and turning a “one day wonder” into years of contest. Eamon Gallagher

Myriam RobinSenior writer

Jul 18, 2025 – 10.00am

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Peter Bartlett can recall the moment that solidified his legal approach.

It was the early 1980s and he was in court defending an article about property developer and yachtsman Sid Fischer. Bartlett had spent a lot of time on the case and felt confident. “I thought we would succeed.” But on the stand, during the journalist’s testimony, it all fell apart.

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Myriam RobinSenior writerMyriam Robin is a senior writer based in the Melbourne newsroom. She has previously been a Rear Window columnist and editor, and before that reported on financial markets and media.