From high-profile client losses and internal upheavals to unexpected leadership shake-ups and workplace controversies, Lawyers Weekly dives into the biggest stories that rocked the world’s top law firms.
10. Piper Alderman accused of bullying, discrimination by litigation lawyer
Piper Alderman and its national head of litigation have been accused of workplace misconduct, with a former employee alleging she was bullied, discriminated against, and had her workload reduced to nothing.
9. White & Case ditches diversity and inclusion function
Global law firm White & Case, which has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, has discontinued its diversity and inclusion initiatives worldwide, in the wake of increased pressure on BigLaw firms from the Trump administration.
8. Clayton Utz the latest BigLaw firm to onboard Harvey
BigLaw firm Clayton Utz has partnered with AI tool Harvey for firm-wide use.
7. Psych injury lawsuit alleges bullying, excessive hours, discrimination at MinterEllison
MinterEllison is facing a lawsuit in the Federal Court from a former employee who alleges that she was bullied, discriminated against, overworked, and subject to “humiliation” during her tenure.
6. How an unintended lawyer became managing partner of a national firm
For many young lawyers, the road to partnership is often a carefully charted journey, driven by ambition and clear goals. But for the newly appointed managing partner of Colin Biggers & Paisley, the path was far from planned.
5. MinterEllison fee fight on pause for bias complaints
The taxation of legal fees allegedly owed to major firm MinterEllison was stalled by a number of complaints, including an objection to a judicial officer whose wife used to be employed at the firm.
4. Half of law firms pay below-average salary to lowest earners
Despite BigLaw’s highest earners taking home a pay cheque that’s well above the national average, half of them pay their lowest earners less than many other industries.
3. Hall & Wilcox accuses taxation service of multiple breaches
Hall & Wilcox has accused an accounting advisory firm of breaching its contractual obligations during the six years it provided tax services.
2. Billable hours to increase, salaries to soar at HWL Ebsworth
Following years of having one of the lowest billable hours across the industry, HWL Ebsworth has increased its quota for all legal staff.
1. Redundancies ‘inevitable’ as Dentons loses major client
Dentons will axe a number of staff following the loss of a key client.
