This Month
Top law firms locked in negotiations for lucrative panel
Corrs, HSF, KWM and MinterEllison are yet to be appointed to the federal government’s legal panel, more than a month after an initial announcement.
- Maxim Shanahan
July
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
Fastest-growing firm pledges ‘aggressive’ targeting of legal rivals
Global law firm HFW has booked record local revenue, and says it plans to target competitors for further growth.
- Maxim Shanahan
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
- Exclusive
- Office
Minters to sit atop Mirvac’s 55-storey office tower
The top-tier law firm will take up the top floors of 55 Pitt Street, as Sydney’s legal eagles vie for the best perches across the CBD.
- Campbell Kwan and Maxim Shanahan
Top law firms question AI’s usefulness
The technology, which has been touted as a revolution in legal practice, will streamline basic tasks but is likely to have limited impact on core legal work.
- Maxim Shanahan
May
Minters picks up seven partners in PwC raid
MinterEllison is set to hire seven consulting partners from PwC in the largest single raid on the big four consulting firm since the tax leaks scandal.
- Maxim Shanahan
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
