The Honourable Justice Michael Lee to headline Partner Summit 2025

Run in partnership with principal partner Thomson Reuters, the event will kick off on Thursday, 12 June, at The Star in Sydney for a memorable day of learning and collaboration. Click here to buy tickets.

Lawyers Weekly is pleased to welcome the Honourable Justice Michael Lee as a keynote speaker at this year’s event. In his session, Justice Lee will unpack how partners can reclaim professionalism in law and explain the concept of “managerialism”.

Justice Lee is an Australian judge and former barrister with over 35 years of experience in the legal industry. He was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia in 2017 and is also an additional judge of the Supreme Court in the ACT.

Justice Lee began his career in 1989 as a solicitor before being promoted to senior associate just three years later. His Honour rose to success at an early age, becoming his firm’s youngest partner at just 29 years old.

He was later appointed a senior litigation partner and national practice group leader before joining the NSW Bar in 2002.

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During his time at the Bar, Justice Lee was involved in a number of high-profile matters, including ICAC inquiries, insurance cases, defamation and workplace disputes and prosecutions. However, his primary focus was being briefed as leading counsel in a number of the largest commercial actions in Australia.

He developed a nationwide and eclectic practice and served in a broad range of superior court matters at both first instance and on appeal. After nine years of service, he took silk in 2011, having acted in both civil and criminal matters.

His Honour has also been actively involved in a range of legally aided matters, pro bono, and public interest cases throughout his storied career.

At the Partner Summit, Justice Lee will deliver a keynote address titled “The Rise of Managerialism: Reclaiming Professionalism in Law”.

In his session, Justice Lee will explore how “managerialism” has emerged to challenge professional values and how it can undermine trust, autonomy, and meaningful work.

Justice Lee’s session aims to share timely guidance surrounding how legal practitioners must keep professional values at the centre of their work. By reclaiming professionalism in law, legal professionals can effectively maintain the practices that have underpinned their success, according to Justice Lee.

The Partner Summit is set to deliver a transformative day of insights for legal practitioners, with sessions focused on navigating global uncertainty, the impact of AI on legal work, succession planning, and managing an augmented workforce.

One of Australia’s most celebrated Olympians, Ian Thorpe, AM, will also deliver a keynote address at the summit. Drawing on his personal experience, Thorpe will share how authenticity can strengthen performance, build trust, and help leaders create environments where people and organisations thrive.

Don’t miss the chance to hear from some of the nation’s leading legal minds at this year’s Partner Summit. Click here to secure your ticket today.

To learn more about the Partner Summit, including the agenda and speakers, click here.