This Month
Young lawyers want to holiday, not work, in New York
Flat demand and apprehensiveness about an intense overseas working culture are spelling an end to the post-pandemic exodus of Australian lawyers.
- Maxim Shanahan
Two law firms hit gender parity – and credit WFH
Lander & Rogers and Hicksons are leading the trend of more female partners, but firms including Arnold Bloch Leibler and Thomson Geer are behind the curve.
- Maxim Shanahan
November
Law firms spy an opportunity in their own cyber vulnerability
Law firms are eying cybersecurity as a new growth area, and say they can use their own experience as targets of cyberattacks to help clients.
- Maxim Shanahan
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
September
Law firms hire graduates at near-record levels
Law firms maintained near-record graduate hiring levels in 2023, despite a slowing legal market.
- Maxim Shanahan
July
‘About time’: women rule at top law firms
Four of the nation’s traditional big six law firms now have female chief executives, and the other two have boards that are chaired by women.
- Michael Pelly
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
Female partners surge at top law firms (to one third)
Women now comprise more than 33 per cent of law firm partners, and parity looms by 2030, the latest Law Partnership survey reveals.
- Michael Pelly and Edmund Tadros
What law firms say is the key to keeping staff
Culture and flexibility are the biggest drawcards when lawyers are sizing up a new firm, leaders have told The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey.
- Michael Pelly
‘He said I was argumentative’: One woman’s long road to law partner
Maddocks partner Ooma Khurana didn’t follow the “you can have it all” model for women.
- Michael Pelly
June
Law firms take aim at PwC over tax scandal
Law firms say the PwC scandal is “staggering” and offers important lessons for those working in professional services.
- Michael Pelly
Law firms cut back on new partners as they brace for slowdown
Higher costs and economic uncertainty have slowed partner growth according to the latest Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey.
- Michael Pelly and Edmund Tadros
Economy, inflation top law firm concerns
Law firms tell The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey that they are facing a “tougher operating environment”.
- Michael Pelly
This is our most pessimistic law firm leader
Richard Spurio says he is “naturally cautious” but explains why he gave the lowest optimism score in The Australian Financial Review Law Partnership Survey.
- Michael Pelly
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
May
Women reach an important milestone in legal profession
A national snapshot of solicitors shows there will soon be more women than men in private practice.
- Michael Pelly
February
Top law firms look to improve relationship with employees
Law firm leaders say employees want “a bit more corporate vulnerability”.
- Michael Pelly
January
K-pop is inspiration for this Freehills technology lawyer
From smart contracts to dancing, Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer Raymond Sun is testing the capacity of artificial intelligence.
- Michael Pelly
