The last week has been big for the legal profession, from the powerful words of a barrister about the judiciary’s support of Dyson Heydon through to the Australian Bar Association’s reversal of a decision on diversity and inclusion. Here is your weekly round-up.
For the week from 24 to 28 November, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. 2 distinguished barristers appointed to NSW Supreme Court bench
Attorney-General Michael Daley has congratulated two highly experienced barristers on their appointments to the Supreme Court of NSW’s bench.
2. Judicial support of Dyson Heydon weakens promises to do better
By helping to rehabilitate disgraced former judge Dyson Heydon, some of Australia’s most senior judicial members have stripped the profession’s commitment to change of any real meaning and contributed to diminishing trust in the administration of justice.
3. Reprimand for principal lawyer for using AI in estate litigation
The principal of a Victorian boutique firm was reprimanded for breaching the Supreme Court’s guidance on the use of generative artificial intelligence in litigation.
4. Deloitte forces court into ‘undesirable’ position in NT stolen wages class action
Deloitte won a bid to more than double its costs to administer the Northern Territory stolen wages settlement, but Chief Justice Debra Mortimer made it clear this was “despite some misgivings”.
5. The bold, cold email that landed a law student a paralegal role at a global firm
Many believe that without the right connections, scoring a role at a global law firm is next to impossible. But one law student shattered that myth, using a single, laser-focused cold email to crack open a door few ever get through.
6. Australian Bar reverses move to scrap diversity and inclusion committee
The Australian Bar Association has walked back its decision to discontinue its diversity and inclusion committee after public comments from its chair, Kate Eastman AM SC.
7. Winners unveiled for Women in Law Awards 2025
Lawyers Weekly, together with principal partner nrol and The Broker for Lawyers, are thrilled to announce the winners of the Women in Law Awards 2025.
8. From AI to declining public trust: Chief Justice Gageler flags urgent challenges for judiciary
At the opening of the 2025 Australian Legal Convention, the High Court’s Chief Justice Stephen Gageler discussed the most pressing issues facing the judiciary and legal system, including the “dramatic decline” in public confidence, the “existential issues” posed by artificial intelligence, and the treatment of marginalised communities.
9. Thomson Geer adds EY tax specialist as new partner
National law firm Thomson Geer has appointed a tax, trust, and private client specialist from big four firm EY as a new partner in its tax practice.
10. Over half of in-house lawyers eyeing moves to law firms
A new Axiom survey finds a retention crisis brewing as almost half of in-house lawyers look for new roles – but most concerning, 56 per cent are considering leaving in-house positions for law firms.
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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