The Solicitors Complaints Tribunal this week banned all Queensland law firms from hiring Dean Bax, who was found guilty of one charge of falsely presenting himself to clients as a solicitor, for the next year. The case was prosecuted by the Queensland Law Society, which brought a total of 16 counts against Bax. It was submitted that Baker Johnson billed Bax's services at a rate of $308 per hour, despite the fact he did not hold a practising certificate.

Gong firm brings up Sydney ton

After only three years in the big smoke Wollongong-bred Kells Lawyers this month added the 100^th staff member to its Sydney office. The century was celebrated heartily by Kells partners, now convinced that the regional firm’s northern expansion is yielding dividends. According to managing partner Robert Dunn, Kells — which also maintains three Illawarra offices — had doubled its entire headcount since the bold move. He said the dramatic growth, particularly witnessed by the commercial division, had necessitated an upper management restructure recently. For the record Kim Goldsworthy, a paralegal, was the employee responsible for bringing up the century.