This past week, one of the world’s biggest law firms decoupled, and a handful of practitioners were referred to legal regulators for relying on material prepared by AI. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 8 to 12 December, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. King & Wood Mallesons to split
The Chinese and Australian partnerships of King & Wood Mallesons have agreed to formally separate, just 14 years after joining forces to create “a firm for ‘the Asian century’”.
2. Reprimand for solicitor over attempts to ‘embarrass, frustrate’
A Sydney solicitor was reprimanded and fined for sending a letter designed to “embarrass or frustrate” the recipient.
3. Public Trustee lawyer admits to professional misconduct
A Public Trustee lawyer has agreed to never again practise after he engaged in eight counts of professional misconduct, including lying about progressing a claim and failing to provide updates about significant developments.
4. Lawyer accused of extracting firm data fails to bolster defence
A lawyer who allegedly extracted confidential information from his former workplace and set out to establish a rival firm has failed in his bid to add to his defence, including a claim that a supposed “side agreement” tainted the employment agreement “with illegality”.
5. Solicitor, 2 counsel referred to regulator for AI use
A South Australian solicitor and two Victoria-based counsel have been referred to their respective legal regulators for relying on material that was prepared by artificial intelligence.
6. Solicitor in alleged relationship with inmate immediately suspended from practice
A solicitor charged with having an alleged sexual relationship with an inmate had her practising certificate immediately suspended.
7. RBA makes final rate call for 2025
The Reserve Bank has been widely expected to keep the cash rate on hold ahead of Christmas. In this special announcement, brought to you by Legal Home Loans, find out if the cash rate has indeed been kept at its current level.
8. 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.
9. NSW tribunal awards landmark $2.4m payout to tunnel worker diagnosed with silicosis
An NSW tunneller who developed silicosis after years of working on major infrastructure projects has won at least $2.4 million in damages, in what lawyers describe as a precedent-setting victory for the nation’s tunnelling industry.
10. ‘We are beyond talking’: Chief Justice’s message to colleagues on First Nations justice
In a message to the “powerful people” who attended the 2025 Australian Legal Convention, Chief Justice Debra Mortimer urged them to reflect on what they can and should be doing to improve the justice system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
