A word of warning on lawyers’ poor communication

The general deterioration of writing standards in society is also an issue in the legal sector, and this deficiency has the potential to cost firms money and clients, writes Trish Carroll. Lawyers trade in words. Yet despite that, clients consistently complain about their poor communication. The 2016/17 Annual Report of The Office of the Legal […]

Latest news – Snub for legal professionals; Poor sleep, poor productivity; Top mark for Melbourne Uni

Survey reveals lack of inclusiveness for legal professionals A new survey from the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association suggests legal business professionals who are not lawyers are having an increasingly significant impact on the delivery of legal services, but most law firms are not providing an inclusive workplace where these professionals can thrive. More than […]

Q&A: Peter Jolly – “What we have is an incredible legacy and the partners view themselves as the custodians of that legacy.”

In this Q&A, Thynne + Macartney Chairman of Partners Peter Jolly reflects on the firm’s recent 125th birthday; the challenge of ensuring that a traditional firm stays relevant in the era of NewLaw; and why he likes to bring a sense of humour to the table when dealing with employees and clients. Congratulations on the […]

Latest news – Legal salary rises set to be modest; Meeting breaches upset bosses; Lawyers expose clients to cybersecurity threats

In-house counsel lose pay-hike fight Lawyers in traditional firms are likely to score bigger pay rises in the next 12 months than their in-house counterparts, according to the 2018 Hays Salary Guide. Nevertheless, the report indicates that salary hikes across the legal sector will be modest overall. Hays says 11 per cent of law firms […]

Q&A: Kerri Shaw and Gemma Bunner – “We wanted to grow as lawyers while also expanding our knowledge and skills in relation to the business side of things.”

In this Q&A, Shaw & Bunner Legal co-founders Kerri Shaw and Gemma Bunner explain why they spurned the safety of working for a major national firm to set up their own business in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales earlier this year – and how it has given them the flexibility and new skills […]

Q&A: Jeremy Szwider – “Rather than billing time, we sell intellectual capital”

In this Q&A, Bespoke founder and managing principal Jeremy Szwider discusses the motivation to set up a NewLaw firm in Australia in 2009, how the firm’s Outsourced In-house Counsel model works, and why value-based pricing makes sense. You set up Bespoke almost a decade ago. That must have taken some courage. “Courage is a good […]

Latest news – Salaries flatline; Significant gender pay gap; innovation spending pays off

Modest salary rises likely this year: ALPMA Wages are starting to “flatline” across the legal sector, according to new research from the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association. The findings suggest that workers can expect only modest salary increases this year. Two hundred and eighty-eight Australian law firms from across the country, employing 10,644 people, took […]

The times are a changin’ – especially for HR

With profound changes occurring in the legal services landscape, a corresponding shift in the role of human resources teams will be required if law firms are to stay competitive, writes Joel Barolsky. Your firm’s HR team is at the epicentre of change. There are six major shifts in the practice and business of law that […]

A master class – 13 smart lessons that law firm leaders should heed

In our latest article covering the recent World Masters of Law Firm Management seminar in Sydney, we list some of Harvard Law School professor Heidi K. Gardner’s key takeaway messages that law firm leaders should consider. Cameron Cooper reports. Collaboration is no fad. Clients want simultaneous access to ‘super-specialised experts’ and a broader legal team. […]

Latest news – Call for access to justice for all; Big payoff for innovators; Mixed news for female lawyers

Law Council wants justice for the disadvantaged Some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people cannot get access to justice and urgent reform is needed, according to the Law Council of Australia. In an address to the National Press Club in March, Law Council President Morry Bailes released a progress report and three early recommendations from the Law Council’s […]