This past week, while the RBA held the cash rate and a national firm took six principals from a global rival, an NSW-based solicitor was charged over an alleged sexual relationship with an inmate. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 3 to 7 November, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Lawyer’s admission revoked, name struck from roll for dishonesty
For breaching the duty of candour, a former Northern Territory lawyer had her admission revoked and her name struck from the roll.
2. Lawyer with alleged $2m tax debt fights for practising certificate
A lawyer who allegedly owes $2.6 million in tax, plus the $190,000 owed by his law firm, has failed to stay a decision of the Legal Services Board to refuse to renew his practising certificate.
3. Solicitor jailed for stealing over $800k from clients to fund lavish lifestyle
A former solicitor who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients over nearly two decades – using the money to fund home renovations, overseas property, and a classic car – has been jailed for four years.
4. Reprimand upgraded to strike-off for lawyer who stole from client
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal was wrong to only impose a public reprimand on a solicitor whose $10,000 theft from a client justified a far harsher penalty, an appeal court has found.
5. Solicitors ordered to pay up for short-changing shareholder in shady dealings
Two solicitors behind a wound-up civil law firm were ordered to compensate a shareholder whose stake was dramatically slashed as a result of their souring relationship with a barrister.
6. Solicitor charged over alleged sexual relationship with inmate
An NSW solicitor has been charged over an alleged sexual relationship with an inmate and the unauthorised access of confidential information.
7. Barry Nilsson takes 6 principals from DLA Piper
National law firm Barry Nilsson is taking six principals from global rival DLA Piper’s insurance and health practice.
8. Strike-off for lawyer who faked court orders, stole from client
A disgraced lawyer was struck off for a number of jaw-dropping offences, including stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly client and forging family court orders to fool her ex.
9. Strike-off to come for solicitor who withdrew trust funds from criminal clients
A criminal defence lawyer who withdrew more than $160,000 from her trust account without her clients’ knowledge has accepted a recommendation that her name be removed from the roll.
10. RBA makes November 2025 cash rate call
Following last month’s hold, find out, in this special announcement from Legal Home Loans, if the Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to raise, hold, or cut interest rates at its second-last meeting for 2025.
