In the last full working week before Christmas, numerous BigLaw firms named new partners for 2026, and a solicitor’s “calculated and prolonged” theft from a vulnerable widow has seen them sentenced to more than four years behind bars. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 15 to 19 December, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Jail time for solicitor over ‘calculated and prolonged’ thefts from vulnerable widow
The Victorian Supreme Court has sentenced a solicitor to over four years behind bars for stealing more than $480,000 from a client.
2. Penalties for solicitor who included explicit images in domestic violence affidavit
For conduct that included attaching explicit images in an affidavit without taking steps to ensure confidentiality, a Queensland solicitor has been publicly reprimanded, ordered not to apply for a practising certificate for 12 months, and told to complete further education.
3. Maurice Blackburn promotes 35, including 3 to principal
National law firm Maurice Blackburn has named three new principals, one new special counsel, 13 new senior associates, and 18 new associates.
4. 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.
5. Clayton Utz promotes 7 to partnership
Australian BigLaw firm Clayton Utz has elevated seven senior lawyers to its partnership ranks.
6. NRF names 6 new Aussie partners in global cohort of 51
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has named 51 new partners worldwide, six of whom are based Down Under.
7. Walter Sofronoff fails to overturn corruption findings
Former judge Walter Sofronoff was unable to overturn the ACT Integrity Commission’s finding that he engaged in corrupt conduct while leading an inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann’s abandoned prosecution.
8. 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.
9. 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’”.
10. 3 new partners, 6 senior associates at Bartier Perry
Bartier Perry has promoted three to partner and six to senior associate, alongside the launch of a new graduate program.
