Yesterday
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
If AI can do the work of a grad lawyer, what does a grad lawyer do?
As tech increasingly takes on the legal grunt work, MinterEllison is trying to rethink the work and skills of its young lawyers.
- Hans van Leeuwen
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
Banking royal commission star Rowena Orr joins the bench
Rowena Orr, who came to prominence during the Hayne royal commission, has been appointed to the Victorian Court of Appeal.
- Maxim Shanahan
MinterEllison practice head poached by rival
Climate lawyer Sarah Barker has joined advisory outfit Pollination Group, as the climate and sustainability advice sector continues to grow.
- Maxim Shanahan
February
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
STC should act or $1.5m losses will mount: Jewish patrons
On the eve of Sydney Theatre Company’s West End debut starring Sarah Snook, the company is being urged to engage with the Jewish community or suffer further losses.
- Michael Bailey
January
- Opinion
- Venture capital
The experts trying to find the next Canva
Governments of all political persuasions love picking winners with taxpayer funds. But can the experts and bureaucrats find another Canva?
- Tony Boyd
November 2023
Australia’s largest law firms slow partner appointments
The second-half Financial Review Law Partnership Survey shows partner numbers are up only slightly, as a flat legal market begins to take hold across the sector.
- Maxim Shanahan
Law firms hit pause on expanding partnerships amid slow market
Fewer than half of Australia’s largest legal partnerships have grown in the last six months, as a flat legal market begins to take hold across the sector.
- Maxim Shanahan
Employment jumps; 50 axed projects listed; Rival raids law firm
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
- Exclusive
- Professional moves
MinterEllison partners leave in rival firm raid
Adam Handley is among five top lawyers to be poached by HFW, which is trying to cash in on mining and resources deals in Western Australia and China.
- Maxim Shanahan
Antipodeans old and new carry hopes at end-of-year sales
Smith & Singer is hoping to end the year with a bang to trump Deutscher and Hackett as the top-selling auction house of the year.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
October 2023
COG Financial Services throws hat in the ring for Diverger
Street Talk understands the asset finance broking group has lobbed a bid to rival Count Ltd’s offer for the ASX-listed financial service provider.
- Updated
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Minters cashes in on university consultancy demand
MinterEllison’s burgeoning consulting division continues to grow, with the acquisition of higher education consultants Wells Advisory.
- Maxim Shanahan
August 2023
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
- Exclusive
- Legal industry
Gilbert + Tobin, DLA Piper defy slump in law firm taxpayer work
Gilbert + Tobin and DLA Piper surged up the rankings for government legal work in 2022-23, but last year’s No.1 firm King & Wood Mallesons tumbled.
- Ronald Mizen
July 2023
Non-binary lawyers making their mark
There is an emerging cohort in the gender divisions of The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey. Plus prizes for AI ideas, pay disparities and a Minters cull. It’s all survey Hearsay.
- Michael Pelly
War for legal talent fires up in the ‘engine room’
There is a strong crop of new senior associates, but some firms told The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey they can’t get enough staff.
- Michael Pelly and Edmund Tadros
June 2023
Law firms look to energy and tech for growth
Labour, energy and cyber law will be where the opportunities are in the next 12 months, legal firms predict.
- Michael Pelly
