Starting with a favourite: In this fortnight’s episode of The Protégé Podcast, an associate professor chats about how important it is for aspiring solicitors and barristers to be aware of their legal duties to ethics in both their professional and personal lives… before it gets out of hand (looking at you Lawyer X). 

2: Winners for 2020 Women in Law Awards revealed

Lawyers Weekly has announced the winners of the ninth annual Women in Law Awards, including Law Student winner Melany Toombs. Congratulations to all! 

3: Perceptions on LGBTQI+ inclusion efforts differ depending on orientation

New research, conducted by Lawyers Weekly and Momentum Intelligence, shows notable differences between LGBTQI+ and non-LGBTQI+ professionals in law with regards to the success or otherwise of inclusion initiatives. 

4: Complaints about Victorian lawyers drop by 28%, VLSB+C reveals

Although it is unclear how much COVID-19 played a part, complaints against Victoria’s lawyers dropped by 28 per cent. Its significant decrease was part of the Legal Services Board’s suite of changes introduced during the 2020-21 period. 

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5: Leading legal body cautiously welcomes Magnitsky laws

The parliamentary recommendation that Australia should adopt a world-leading law to apply targeted sanctions on human rights abuses has been welcomed, but safeguards should be front of mind moving forward, the LCA has warned. 

6: Flawed Family Court merger will hurt families, NSW Bar warns

The government’s flawed Family Court merger bill has been criticised for many aspects, but the NSW Bar is particularly concerned that it will increase delays and costs for the families in need of assistance and should be urgently opposed. 

7: Victoria Police senior lawyer referred to legal regulator

The inquiry tasked with investigating Lawyer X has criticised Victoria Police for a failure to obtain legal advice or seek appropriate steps to rectify the scandal as its lead lawyer prepares to face the regulator for his own mishandling of the scandal. 

8: NSW’s top 5 most attractive firms

Exclusive research has revealed the top five firms deemed the most attractive by legal professionals in the state of NSW. We also break down the top firms by each state and give a national average – so check where your future firm may sit! 

9: ASIO powers out of line, LCA says

Australia’s premier legal body is concerned that the new ASIO powers are “out of line” with plans to significantly expand on them without crucial safeguards. 

10: ‘Uniquely suited’: Why young sole practitioners will thrive post-pandemic

This year has opened a window for emerging leaders in the SEM law space to not only carve out expertise in chosen niches, but also build their practices from the ground up in ways that make sense to them, rather than unlearning habits.