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A fine for a ‘toxic’ workplace, ‘old-fashioned’ firms, and more new silks: What’s hot in law this week (16–20 Oct)

In a week in which Court Services Victoria was convicted and fined by WorkSafe, we explored the failings of ABC’s public interest defence and movement away from traditional firm structures. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.

user iconLawyers Weekly • 21 October 2023 • Big Law
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For the week from 16 October to 20 October, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):

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  1. 25 new silks named in Victoria
The Chief Justice of Victoria has announced the appointment of 25 Victorian barristers to senior counsel.

  1. Court Services Victoria fined $380k for ‘toxic’ workplace
WorkSafe has convicted and fined Court Services Victoria for just under $380,000.

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  1. Gold Coast lawyer fails to win back $250k in ‘exorbitant’ fees
A principal of a boutique law firm on the Gold Coast, who was found to have “exorbitantly” overcharged an elderly client, failed to overturn an order that he pay back the client’s relative over $250,000.

  1. Former Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills partner suffers setback in $15m lawsuit
A former Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills partner who made sensational allegations about Lendlease’s financial statements has had a setback in his plan to sue both for over $15 million.

  1. Compensation firm dragged into ‘hopeless’ fight over fees
An NSW man has pursued a “hopeless” allegation that his former firm wrongfully caused him to become bankrupt.

  1. What went wrong with ABC’s public interest defence?
The ABC was ordered to pay a former commando it defamed $390,000 in damages after its public interest defence fell apart – so what exactly went wrong with the national broadcaster’s defence?

  1. Judge left with ‘misgivings’ over future of McDonald’s proceedings
Competing proceedings concerning McDonald’s break times tackled a number of issues, including common fund order precedents and a warning to litigators about workers’ interests – but it has meant the group members have been left to wait longer for a resolution.

  1. Moving away from ‘old-fashioned’ law firms
While traditional law firms may be “reluctant to change”, there are other ways to operate outside of traditional working models – as this law firm consultant emphasised recently.

  1. ‘Little downside’ to young lawyers gaining experience through firm exchange
A lawyer exchange program is gaining global traction, with a number of associates and senior associates gaining work experience at different firms to boost their careers and gain a variety of experience.

  1. Barrister named as new IBAC commissioner
A Victoria-based barrister and solicitor has been appointed as the new commissioner for the state’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

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