Today
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
This Month
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
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
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
- Exclusive
- Funding
Under-the-radar Melbourne software firm worth $90m after VCs pounce
Atticus has built a roster of clients including BHP, CBA and numerous top law firms for its software that verifies documents are truthful.
- Paul Smith
Lawyers to the fore as courts tighten screws on privilege claims
Claiming legal privilege for post-cyberattack reports is now almost impossible, lawyers say, as courts take a more critical view of “woolly” claims.
- Maxim Shanahan
May
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
Tax Office warns law firms over consulting push
ATO second commissioner Jeremy Hirschhorn said he was worried law firms would repeat the mistakes of the big four professional services firms with their push into consulting.
- Maxim Shanahan
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
Scyne settles restraint case, as PwC tax partner jumps to KPMG
Connie Heaney will be free to continue at Downer EDI under the settlement, while a senior PwC tax partner has jumped ship to KPMG.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
- Exclusive
- AI
What this law firm learnt from experimenting with AI
Lawyers reviewed articles of association in 80 per cent less time when using generative AI. But human judgment still came out on top in the months-long trial.
- Euan Black
March
ASIC, APRA warn super funds on executive scrutiny
Regulators and lawyers have warned super funds they need to get their houses in order before tough new executive accountability laws come into force next year.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
Ashurst nabs Clifford Chance litigation co-chair
New partner Angela Pearsall says a growth in class actions is set to cause corporate clients significant headaches.
- Maxim Shanahan
Ashurst picks up four partners as law firms march into consulting
The new hires from PwC and CBA continue law firms’ march into consulting, and comes after King & Wood Mallesons last month established its own advisory division.
- Maxim Shanahan
Top law firms eye big growth in South-East Asia strategy
Australian lawyers say work in the region suffers from a perception problem, despite the complex, high-value deals emerging from fast-growing markets.
- Maxim Shanahan
February
Why Corrs CEO Gavin MacLaren has a target on his back
Gavin MacLaren has become the best-known law firm leader in the land. And that’s not a good thing.
- Michael Pelly
How to get a job at a top-tier law firm
Mere legal ability is no longer enough to secure a prized top-tier clerkship. Firms are looking for excellence in all aspects of life. Here’s our guide.
- Maxim Shanahan
Corrs tries to front-run the news
The law firm sent a detailed email to staff warning them over coming media coverage, particularly the departure of a star partner.
- Mark Di Stefano
Corrs partner jumps to Ashurst, where firm ‘walks the talk’ on gender
Corrs’ former head of gender equality Felicity Healy said Ashurst’s superior record on promoting women played a role in her decision to join the global firm.
- Maxim Shanahan
Law partners’ tax affairs in Senate’s sights
Law firms have been drawn into the Senate’s scrutiny of professional services partnerships, as the ATO and Treasury prepare to crack down on trust structures.
- Maxim Shanahan