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Legendary QC Tom Hughes retires from NSW Bar
Queen’s Counsel Tom Hughes is more than just a household name in the Australian legal industry, to many he is a legendary figure. Hughes, the longest serving member of the New South Wales Bar after being admitted in 1949, earned his stripes practising in constitutional, commercial and defamation law, and was involved in a key case establishing the right to freedom of communication among many others.
Australian law could attract US class actions
Securities fraud class actions could be redirected from America to Australia as a result of Australia’s favourable legislative regime which prohibits commercial deceptive conduct.
Raising the bar for global law
In order to adapt and restructure in an increasingly competitive global landscape, law firms may have to discard their old service models, and adopt flexible pricing options, as well as focus on particular industries or legal fields.
Cries of ‘knee-jerk’ as bikie law changes take effect
Former NSW director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery and former High Court judge Murray Gleeson have questioned political involvement in criminal laws, in the same week as the Queensland government announced sweeping changes to bikie laws including mandatory sentences.
Company directors in the dark on duty to creditors
Company directors will have little guidance on how to prioritise their duties when a company faces insolvency, after the mammoth Bell Group litigation was settled, rather than determined by the High Court.
New trend in workplace bullying claims: bosses cry foul over mob tactics
Lawyers are reporting a rise in workplace bullying claims by senior executives who say they are being victimised by groups of colleagues below them on the corporate ladder.
Many law graduates will never work as lawyers
The unhappy truth is that very many of those who have recently graduated or are now studying law will never work as lawyers.
How Mallesons managed to merge with King & Wood
Shared vision, common values and bad karaoke are helping overcome cultural differences.
Era of law firm super-profits is over
The era of super-profits could be over for law firms, after experts predict difficult conditions plaguing the industry are likely set to stay even when there is an uptick in economic conditions.
Put these corkers on the Brandis book list
Their training is probably more long lunches than sprint racing, but the best of the best seems to come in foursomes – be it fearsome, or oarsome. For 300 general counsel and decision makers from some of the world’s biggest companies, fronting up against a select few firms is the stuff of nightmares.
Brandis wedding speech: schmoozing or rorting
Senator Brandis charged the taxpayers $1683.06 for his wedding speech in December 2011. He repaid that this week. Even from the high ground of government, he apparently preferred not to try and defend a night of networking with friendly journalists at a wedding as “parliamentary or electorate business”. Wise choice.
No retrial for Rayney: not beyond reasonable doubt
The decision of the WA Court of Appeal that Lloyd Rayney should not face retrial for the murder of his wife in 2007 is the latest illustration of the fact that suspicious circumstances are not enough alone to secure a murder conviction.
Global firms still keen on Asia-Pacific profile
Two years on from the onslaught of foreign entrants into the Australian legal market, global firms – those with a strong base in the United States at least – are prepared to continue to invest in the Asia Pacific region.
PwC to feel heat in Rinehart trust dispute
The dispute between Gina Rinehart and her children will still be heard in court next week despite Ms Rinehart’s offer to step down as trustee.
New stress fears emerge for lawyers
Lawyers are already prone to greater stress and mental health trauma than the general population.
Clayton Utz favours quiet achiever as CEO
Insiders are tipping Robert Cutler as the most likely candidate to replace Darryl McDonough as chief of Clayton Utz, though Brigitte Markovic and Bruce Cooper are both in the running.
Investor evidence could affect anti-coal activist penalty
Environmental activist Jonathan Moylan could face a harsher penalty for disseminating a fake press release which wiped $314 million of the market if the prosecution is able to persuade investors who lost out to give evidence.
Slater & Gordon posts 67pc net profit increase
Melbourne-based listed law firm Slater & Gordon has recorded a massive increase in net profit, increasing revenue by $80 million to $298 million.
O’Shane loses judicial immunity bid
Sydney radio host Alan Jones has been given the go-ahead to defend a defamation claim by magistrate Pat O’Shane on the basis that what he said is true.
Freedom of speech a matter of opinion
With the advent of social media, the distinction between the private and work domains has crumbled. A worker’s private opinions may be seen as capable of impinging on an employment relationship.
Ashurst commits to global profit sharing
International law firm Ashurst has voted in favour of full financial integration with its Australian arm as it continues to pursue expansion in Korea and the United States.
Herbert-Smith Freehills to appoint new CEO
Global law firm Herbert-Smith Freehills will appoint a new chief executive by May next year, to replace retiring joint chief executives David Willis and Gavin Bell.
Court system had ‘strangled itself’ but revision will come at a cost
Australia’s legal profession needs to accept less money in order to reform our flailing legal system, according to the retired South Australian Chief Justice John Doyle.
Law council to fight $30m Family Court cuts
The president of the Law Council of Australian intends to write to incoming Attorney-General George Brandis, QC, asking where the $30 million in cuts to the Family Court will come from and raising concerns about the impact it will have on the already under resourced jurisdiction.
Palmer goes small for constitutional challenge
Clive Palmer went to Townsville when it came to challenging the carbon tax.
PC annual review of court services will send a shiver up the spines of lawyers
An issues paper on access to justice released this week by the Productivity Commission is likely to ring a few alarm bells among senior lawyers.
Law firms facing the ‘perfect storm’ in tight market
An uncertain economy and unprecedented competition coupled with the inherent risk averse nature of the legal profession has culminated in a “perfect storm”, according to the president of the Australasian Legal Practice Managers Association.
High level of activity as talent targeted in new partner raids
Now that pay and bonuses have been settled for the end of the 2012-13 financial year there is an awful lot of partner movement happening. Construction and corporate groups are particularly vulnerable. Some of the recent targets for partner raids include big guns such as Ashurst, Clayton Utz and King & Wood Mallesons.
US law firm targets need for high-end legal actions
An American firm is turning its sights on what it says is an unmet demand in the market. Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan wants to bring a US approach on litigation to Australia, saying there is a gap in the market for a firm interested only in high-end commercial litigation.
Slater & Gordon full-year revenue rises
Slater & Gordon said it posted profit of $73 million in the year ended June 30, while revenue rose 37 per cent to $298 million.
