October
Why the $5m lawyer is no longer a rarity at top Aussie firms
Top law firms are forking out more than $5 million a year to poach or protect big-billing market leaders from rivals, amid intense industry competition.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why investors should care about ‘clunky’ merger rules
While hostile M&A deals are rare, they help keep boards on their toes. Investors should care about proposed merger reforms.
- Anthony Macdonald
Super Retail asks for Harmers to be ousted from termination suit
Harmers Workplace Lawyers is estimated to be charging $1 million for advice to its two female clients suing the retailer over unfair dismissal.
- Carrie LaFrenz
BofA has snagged a big-name bidder for SingPost’s Aus assets
The portfolio, which is referred to as FMH Group, is expected to be worth as much as $1 billion, sources said.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
‘Uniquely broad’ sanctions regime too harsh on business: Allens
Major corporate law firm Allens says the extraterritorial application of local sanctions does little to advance Australia’s foreign policy objectives.
- Maxim Shanahan
September
KWM changes partner pay to reward the biggest billers
KWM’s top-performing partners will be able to take home a greater share of the firm’s profits, after “moderate” changes to remuneration structure were approved by partners.
- Maxim Shanahan
July
It turns out Quadrant isn’t quite done with employment group APM
The private equity giant will take a stake alongside Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, if the Chicago-based buyout group acquires the ASX-listed company.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Ex-Allens lawyer sets up Australia’s first prison newspaper
The first edition of About Time was delivered to correctional facilities in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT this month.
- Maxim Shanahan
Rapid growth puts pressure on law partnership structures
Almost two-thirds of new legal partners are now on a part-salary arrangement as rapid growth puts pressure on equity allocations.
- Maxim Shanahan
ASX rallies 1pc; Pressure builds on Biden; Get-rich tricks
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
More law firms hit gender targets as partnership gap narrows
A record number of law firms now have more than 40 per cent female partnerships, but part-owner gender ratios contrast sharply with the engine room.
- Maxim Shanahan
June
Top 50 law firms add a record 806 new senior associates
Law firms have promoted a record number of senior associates, as demand for work remains high and staff turnover is slowing.
- Maxim Shanahan
Energy transition lights a rocket under law firms
Law firms are streaking ahead of the broader economy, adding partners as deals return and the energy transition offers decades of lucrative work.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Exclusive
- AI
Aussie brothers’ AI firm worth $120m as big name backers invest
Melbourne-based Affinda has built AI-based software used by numerous big companies around the world, it has doubled its valuation in 18 months with well-known investors.
- Paul Smith
Challenger firms increase pay in fight for top-tier legal talent
Clients, social positions and work-life balance are among the factors in-demand graduates are looking for in a firm – but high rates of pay don’t hurt.
- Maxim Shanahan
Top law firms question AI’s usefulness
The technology, which has been touted as a revolution in legal practice, will streamline basic tasks but is likely to have limited impact on core legal work.
- Maxim Shanahan
May
Allens to be king of the hill in Sydney’s new legal district
Allens and four other law firms are set to move into the revamped AMP building at Circular Quay as a new legal district in Sydney develops towards the harbour.
- Maxim Shanahan and Campbell Kwan
Law graduates are about to crack a salary record
Top-tier graduates will earn more than $100,000 this year – in Sydney only – but law firms remain tight-lipped on pay rates despite moves towards transparency elsewhere.
- Maxim Shanahan
April
Energy focus as Ashurst, Allens, Freehills appoint new partners
Energy and environment lawyers have led promotions at top-tier firms, as the legal industry targets the energy transition as the next big source of billings.
- Maxim Shanahan
‘Get the job done’: One in two lawyers use AI
In-house lawyers were adopting the tools more quickly than their law firm counterparts, research has found.
- Euan Black