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‘Misconceived’ complaints and the dangers of ‘castle law’: What’s hot in law this week (24–28 June)

This week, the nation’s biggest firms unveiled huge promotion rounds, while member groups pushed back on the Katter’s Australian Party’s proposed “castle law” in Queensland. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.

user iconLawyers Weekly 29 June 2024 Big Law
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This week, the nation’s biggest firms unveiled huge promotion rounds, while member groups pushed back on the Katter’s Australian Party’s proposed “castle law” in Queensland. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.

For the week from 24 June to 28 June, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):

  1. Proposed castle law a ‘dangerous response to crime in Queensland’
A proposed law in Queensland, which has sparked heated debate, would grant residents the right to use lethal force to protect their homes. However, this measure has drawn strong criticism from lawyers, who consider it an extreme and perilous response to crime.

 
 

  1. 2 silks appointed to Federal Court bench, partner named as FCFCOA judge
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has named two senior counsel as judges of the Federal Court of Australia, while a firm partner has been appointed as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

  1. HWL Ebsworth names 6 new partners, promotes 73 lawyers
Days after unveiling a new board of partners, CEO, and chief executive partner, national law firm HWL Ebsworth has promoted 79 lawyers to more senior roles, including six to its partnership.

  1. Family law firm loses fight with lawyer over $12k fee
A small family law practice and a lawyer clashed in a Queensland tribunal over a $12,000 legal bill.

  1. Minters promotes 158
National law firm MinterEllison has promoted 158 professionals to more senior roles, over 60 per cent of whom are women.

  1. Winners crowned at Partner of the Year Awards 2024
Lawyers Weekly and principal partner the Commonwealth Bank are pleased to announce a record number of winners at this year’s awards.

  1. Court spurns ‘misconceived’ complaints against 3 lawyers
A court threw out a lawyer’s “misconceived” complaints about two barristers and a principal who represented his daughter.

  1. Former silk cannot shake findings he ‘thwarted’ administration of justice
A disgraced barrister tossed out of the profession because of his misconduct in the Banksia class action has failed to appeal findings that he thwarted the administration of justice for financial gain.

  1. Boutique firm fails again to win back $100k refund to client
A Sydney boutique firm’s attempt to claw back almost $100,000 from a client it was told to refund has failed for the fourth time.

  1. 62 senior associates promoted at HSF
In what is the largest elevation of senior associates at the firm in five years, Herbert Smith Freehills has promoted 62 senior associates across all practices in Australia.