Today
KWM is dead, long live Mallesons. But can the law firm escape its past?
KWM’s China divorce finally takes effect next week. The newly independent Mallesons could take Australian law by storm, or could find itself playing catch-up.
This Month
Social media giants in crosshairs for Australian addiction lawsuits
Emboldened by this week’s landmark US verdicts against Meta and YouTube, local plaintiff law firms are eyeing off class actions against the tech behemoths.
Top judge heads towards 1300-day judgment milestone
Justice Bernard Murphy hasn’t filed a decision since early December, but still reckons he will finalise his outstanding cases by his June 30 retirement.
This law firm is paying staff $30 a week to forgo WFH
The temporary fuel relief program aims to help offset the rising cost of travelling to the office, as fuel prices soar in response to the Middle East conflict.
Another year, another IPO cold shower for investors
There’s a sense of “here we go again” as a big float pipeline hits a jittery sharemarket.
Fake cases, made up quotes land underworld law firm in AI trouble
A solicitor employed by Sydney gangland lawyer and pro-boxer Ahmed Dib has been lashed for the suspected use of artificial intelligence in court documents.
OK, Boomer: New law grads say AI’s no problem for them
“AI native” lawyers don’t share their elders’ fears of a job apocalypse, as law firms hire big to hedge against tech shocks and a brain-drain to overseas.
Meet the go-to lawyer for Perth’s elite for the past 50 years
Martin Bennett sleeps four hours a night, has an eidetic memory and plenty of stories. “’If I was in deep doo-doo, I’d want Martin,” says a former colleague.
Humm’s 114-day masterclass in how not to do a deal
We’ve got a victory for common sense, but no real action. Yet.
Slaters calls in ex-Daniel Andrews operative for reputation fix
Georgia Brumby’s former job must be one of the few that would make managing Slaters’ all-staff email scandal last year seem easy in comparison.
Court operations in peril as transcription giant enters administration
VIQ Solutions produces the recordings and transcripts that are essential to the day-to-day work of Australia’s busiest courts, including the Federal Court.
The High Court, the booty shorts, and one eclectic judgment
At last, Australia’s legal system has a binding precedent on the origins of Katy Perry’s musical career. Plus: White shoe firm’s courtroom disaster.
Sydney designer Katie Perry wins against Katy Perry
The High Court says the Hunters Hill designer can keep using her trademark in a ruling with big consequences for Australian brands.
Why Airtree is betting on the end of the junior law firm associate
The changes taking place inside big law groups have spawned a new breed of software providers, now locked in an arms race over artificial intelligence.
James Packer’s Consolidated Press sued by former top lawyer
The long-running vehicle invests much of the billionaire businessman’s fortune, and is run by a family lieutenant Lawrence Myers, who is also being sued.
AI’s unprecedented rise pushes law firms towards private equity
The move to secure capital beyond the traditional pool of partners is reshaping the industry’s century-old business model and raising uncomfortable questions.
M&A guns take a deep breath in the Humm-dinger sewer
The big end of town is colliding with small caps and governance issues in a governance and control battle with the lot.
Justice Lee’s Star ruling ranged from Kierkegaard to Lent
The Federal Court judge is fresh from penning a debut screenplay, and it shows in the theatrical lilt of his decision in ASIC’s landmark pursuit of the casino.
Michael Lee’s judgment leaves legacy for Sally Pitkin and friends
The market and shareholders may expect higher standards of boards these days, but that doesn’t mean ASIC can enforce them (in this case, at least).
Chief justice attacks research accusing Victorian courts of secrecy
The Monash University-authored report concluded the state was responsible for near half of the nation’s suppression orders, particularly for the wealthy.
