Let’s start with some major research from the International Bar Association that found half of young lawyers are considering leaving their current role in the next five years. While some will consider similar work in a different practice or try out a whole new field of law, others are thinking about leaving the profession altogether.

2: Committee gives clause 12 of Religious Discrimination Bill green light

In news that has left the profession reeling, the Liberal and Labor members of a Senate committee inquiring into the Religious Discrimination Bill have mostly approved the legislation in its current form, including some form of the controversial statements of belief clause that would permit religious schools to discriminate against teachers and students on the grounds of religious belief.

3: Facebook to face criminal charges in Australia

Mining billionaire Dr Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest AO will be the first to launch criminal action against tech giant Facebook – now Meta – almost four years after scam advertisements using his face first started appearing. Commenting on why, Dr Forrest said he was “concerned about the innocent Australians being scammed”.

4: Federal government fights to overturn Love v Commonwealth

The federal government is seeking to overturn the findings in Love v Commonwealth as part of its appeal of a decision to release a Mununjali man from immigration detention. Lawyers Weekly breaks down the submissions to the High Court and the Minister for Home Affairs’ arguments for overturning such a landmark decision.

VIEW ALL

5: Suspended solicitor announces run for One Nation

In a statement announcing his intention to stand for One Nation at the next federal election, recently suspended solicitor and controversial anti-vaxxer Nathan Buckley said it was because party leader Pauline Hanson and her equally controversial efforts against the COVID-19 vaccination efforts “have been an inspiration”.

6: LCA president: ‘It’s important that justice remains human-centered’

While a number of issues in the profession have been exacerbated by COVID-19, what remains important moving forward is finding a balance between pre and post-pandemic ways of working, the LCA president told Lawyers Weekly.

7: ‘I am keen to promote and raise awareness of rural practice’

In this exclusive interview, Lawyers Weekly also sits down with Law Society of NSW president Joanne van der Plaat to talk about her focus for the profession in 2022. This, Ms van der Plaat said, will include a particular focus on legal work in regional NSW and ensuring that everyone in the community can access justice.

8: ACT courts and profession to adapt to ‘enormous shifts’

Although commended for its ability to administer justice despite the challenges of lockdowns and restrictions, ACT courts should expect to continue this work well into 2022 as the increased expectations of accountability threaten to erode trust in the rule of law, ACT Law Society’s president cautioned at the opening of the legal term.

9: Is the Great Resignation ‘the wake-up call’ law firms need?

In this interview with Travis Schultz & Partners chief operating officer, Lawyers Weekly explores whether the Great Resignation is an opportunity for employers to take an “honest look” at the norms, existing expectations and toxic cultures.

10: Creating a ‘culture of conversation surrounding mental health’

Firms that make an investment in their staff’s mental health post-pandemic will benefit from increased performance and “improved employee outcomes”, partner and co-chair of the diversity and inclusion and wellbeing committee at Hall & Wilcox, Fay Calderone, told Lawyers Weekly.