This past week, nearly two dozen new senior counsel were appointed in NSW, and Lawyers Weekly data showed the extent to which lawyers facing disciplinary action are recommended for removal from the roll. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 6 to 10 October, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Senior lawyer alleges unfair firing was because of age
A senior lawyer from a community legal centre who alleged she was terminated because of her age was prevented from advancing a claim relating to unfair dismissal before the Fair Work Commission.
2. ACT tribunal bans 2 lawyers from practising
Two lawyers who were involved in the swearing of an affidavit that contained false information have been publicly reprimanded and restricted from applying for a practising certificate for two years.
3. 23 senior counsel appointed in NSW
The NSW senior counsel appointments for 2025 have been announced.
4. Reprimand for lawyer over failures with elderly client
A lawyer admitted he failed to take proper steps to ensure an elderly client had the capacity to execute a will and power of attorney.
A recommendation has been made to remove the name of a disgraced legal practitioner due to her conduct in a misleading creditor scheme, including the employment of her parents as lay associates despite both having been struck off the roll of solicitors.
6. ‘Whoop-de-do’: Court says federal judge made inappropriate comments
A federal court judge made several inappropriate comments during her questioning of a party, including “whoop-de-do” and “what happens at mother’s group stays at mother’s group”.
7. Lessons from selling a law firm for $57m
OPINION: Selling a law firm for $57 million wasn’t just a financial event. It was a manifestation of belief, risk and relentless execution, writes Hilton Misso.
8. ACT solicitor penalised for cost disclosure failures
A tribunal affirmed a decision of the ACT Law Society to discipline a barrister and solicitor over a cost disclosure failure, but knocked back its request to increase a fine by almost seven times the amount.
9. 4 in 10 disciplined lawyers struck off, exclusive data reveals
Exclusive Lawyers Weekly data revealed that around 40 per cent of lawyers facing disciplinary action have been struck off or recommended for removal. A closer analysis of the last 100 disciplinary reports uncovered further, troubling trends.
10. Chief Justice, admission board pushes for major PLT shake-up
Demands to overhaul practical legal training in NSW have included suggestions that it be further mandated or abolished altogether, but a working group comprising leading practitioners has ultimately made a recommendation that falls somewhere in the middle.
