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There were several disciplinary proceedings and employment matters concerning lawyers over the past week, including one who referred to himself as an “alpha”. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 16 to 20 March, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Judge cautions silk over ‘aggressive’ cross-examinations
A senior judge has warned lawyers against descending into “aggressive and confrontational” cross-examination, particularly when it may undermine fair opportunity and reliable evidence.
2. Union moves to sack its own lawyer over alleged timesheet fraud while WFH
A lawyer at the Public Service Association of NSW is in the firing line for dismissal after allegedly falsifying timesheets while working from home.
3. Self-professed ‘alpha’ lawyer’s absurd ‘pack’ claim to fired employee
The principal lawyer of a Sydney commercial firm backtracked on the dismissal of a senior associate by telling her he had to “withstand challenges from the pack”, the Fair Work Commission was told.
4. Discipline for lawyer’s ‘embarrassing’ court order breach
A solicitor disciplined for contravening a District Court order admitted it was “embarrassing given the nature of the dispute”.
5. Long-service leave entitlements need overhaul, says Law Council
In its submission to the House of Representatives, the Law Council of Australia has called for sweeping reform to National Employment Standards, including changes to long-service leave, personal leave and redundancy entitlements.
6. RBA reveals March 2026 cash rate decision
The Reserve Bank of Australia was widely tipped to increase the cash rate at its March 2026 meeting. Find out here, in this special announcement from Legal Home Loans, whether the cash rate has been hiked, held, or lowered.
7. Clerk, admitted solicitor returns to Svenson Barristers
Marking a “full circle moment” in her career, a clerk and admitted solicitor who specialised in common law matters has returned to Svenson Barristers.
8. Legal teams being asked to make AI ‘operational and accountable’
“We are at a structural inflection point”: New research from Consilio shows that law departments are under pressure to implement AI at scale, as tech decisions overtake workload as the biggest challenge facing such teams.
9. Wotton Kearney poaches health team from Makinson D’Apice
A highly experienced health law partner and her team of six have moved from Makinson D’Apice to Wotton Kearney.
10. Long-serving WA Family Court registrar appointed as magistrate
Western Australia’s Attorney-General John Quigley has promoted a long-serving registrar from the Family Court of Western Australia to the role of magistrate after eight years in the position.
