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
Keating says there was no vice-regal offer to Lowitja O’Donoghue
Paul Keating has played down a tale that he asked the late Indigenous leader to be governor-general.
- Michael Pelly
January
‘Need, like love, is hard to measure’, says judge citing INXS
When judge Bill Everson was grappling with the concept of “need”, he decided no one explained it better than Australian music legends INXS.
- Michael Pelly
November 2023
Protection for judges, but no tax relief
Federal judges can no longer be sued, but some will have to pay more tax. Plus, a new chief prosecutor for the Commonwealth.
- Michael Pelly
October 2023
Barristers on losing streak with constitutional change
A vote by members of the Victorian Bar to include clauses that promoted diversity and made a stand against discrimination and harassment has tanked.
- Michael Pelly
- Analysis
- Analysis
Why is Noel Pearson upset with Murray Gleeson?
The Indigenous leader says the former chief justice deserted the Voice in its ‘hour of need’.
- Michael Pelly
August 2023
- Opinion
- Opinion
Vasta caning makes case for judicial commission
Like the recently formed National Anti-Corruption Commission, a federal judicial commission has been a long time coming.
- Michael Pelly
Playwright on a high over judgment day
Playwright Suzie Miller told a recent Lunch with the AFR how she met High Court judge Robert Beech-Jones after he agreed to work on a case.
- Michael Pelly
Cripps or Kiefel? Caught between a ruck and a known face
The AFL superstar and the High Court Chief Justice took part in a lunch in Melbourne. But which one had top billing for guest of honour Ray Finkelstein?
- Michael Pelly
What were you thinking, Walter Sofronoff?
Why would the former judge provide advance copies of his Lehrmann inquiry report to only two journalists? And a farewell tour, of sorts, for High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel. That’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
AGL executive joins Minters
A former McKinsey partner turned AGL executive has moved to Australia’s largest law firm. And the attorney-general says lawyers should find their Voice: that’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
July 2023
Did Justice Wolverine go too far with departing judge?
Should Justice Ian Jackman – brother of Hugh – have toned it down when criticising colleague Kathleen Farrell, or should he be applauded?
- Michael Pelly
- Opinion
- PwC tax scandal
PwC claiming legal privilege – that’s a bit Rich
There have been legal professional privilege missteps at the troubled firm since 2005.
- Michael Pelly
- Opinion
- PwC tax scandal
PwC top lawyers are gone, and a critic is back
The firm’s two top lawyers are gone as PwC sets out to repair its fortunes under new leader. But why?
- Michael Pelly
June 2023
- Opinion
- Courts
Law reform machine Mordy Bromberg scores the perfect job
The union-friendly Federal Court judge is an interesting choice to lead the Australian Law Reform Commission.
- Michael Pelly
The long, long wait for Nudie tax judgment
Federal Court judge Melissa Perry may have set a record with her judgment in the recent tax case.
- Michael Pelly
Donaghue shocks dinner with ‘political’ speech
The Commonwealth solicitor-general weighed in to the Voice debate at the Victorian Bar dinner.
- Michael Pelly
New anti-corruption boss hails ‘unique opportunity’
Paul Brereton started as head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday. Could PwC be an early customer?
- Michael Pelly
May 2023
- Opinion
- Legal profession
Bar should be raised for an ‘eminent’ lawyer
Eminent is a word people like to attach to lawyers. And farewell to a “High Court whisperer”. It’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
Why lawyers are enjoying the PwC scandal
There is no sympathy in law firm land for PwC. And why doesn’t the High Court live stream cases? It’s Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly