Q&A: Bruce McFarlane – “In setting up BlueRock, our founder wanted the wealth to be shared between people.”

In our Q&A, Bruce McFarlane, CEO of the BlueRock Group and Managing Director of BlueRock Law, explains the growth benefits of a multidisciplinary firm and why the key to a successful future involves maintaining a fun culture.   BlueRock takes a holistic approach to professional services and the business spans more than 10 divisions across […]

Firms with big hearts are wooing the market

Three renowned Australian law firms are testament to how leadership, commitment, investment and passion can drive sophisticated pro bono programs that make a difference for clients, the community and the firm’s employees, writes Trish Carroll. Who remembers the outcry in 2007 from the legal profession when the National Pro Bono Target was introduced?  Many firms […]

Latest news – New funding help for women; Legal-tech budget woes; Revenue lift for small firms

Funding boost welcome for legal assistance services The Law Council of Australia is pleased that the Australian Government has announced additional funding for Australia’s legal assistance sector, with a focus on improving access to justice for women and those experiencing mental health issues. Key funding measures in the 2021-22 Budget will provide a range of […]

Q&A: Leah Cameron – “What I’d love to see is more or our mob practising as lawyers in commercial sectors.”

In our Q&A, Leah Cameron, a Palawa woman and founder and principal solicitor of Marrawah Law, explains how being Indigenous shapes her approach to practising law, and what mainstream law firms can do to encourage more diverse participation in the legal profession. Marrawah Law was founded in 2013 and now has offices in Cairns, Brisbane, […]

Time for firms to have a rethink on lawyer competence

Law firms need to start considering the competence of their lawyers in a way that goes beyond mere technical skills to include equally important factors such as their wellbeing and stability at home, writes Jordan Furlong. Suppose that a person has obtained a law degree from a recognized and accredited law school. Suppose further that […]

Waking up to ‘woke’ – analysing the MinterEllison email conflict

Controversy surrounding MinterEllison and its decision to advise Attorney-General Christian Porter raises questions about law firms’ client selection processes and the impact those choices could have on recruiting millennial and Gen Z talent in the years to come, writes Trish Carroll. A lot has been written in recent weeks about the email matter involving now-ex […]

Q&A: Roger Jepson – “It’s a great profession. You have to work hard, but that’s the same in every profession. Anything that is worthwhile requires commitment and dedication.”

In our Q&A, Roger Jepson, a recently retired partner and litigation specialist with Mills Oakley, reflects on the highlights of a career that spanned more than 45 years, and explains how a great culture and leadership have been behind the firm’s growth. You brought down the curtain late last year on a fantastic legal career. […]

Success = Ability + Stability + Affinity + Agility

At a time when there is pressure on law firms to deliver more than just high-quality legal services, they need to embrace and juggle four key elements of legal practice that can mean the difference between triumph and failure, writes Joel Barolsky. It’s remarkable how many law firms have flourished for years by focusing on […]

Q&A: Simon Playford – “Bolter is really, in essence, a start-up law firm for start-ups and we try to capture that ethos and energy on a daily basis.”

In our Q&A, Simon Playford, head of new Queensland-based law firm Bolter, outlines his goal for the firm to become to go-to legal advisor for start-up businesses in Australia, and how his father’s death has inspired him to give back to the community.   In April last year, just as COVID-19 hit business markets, you […]

Latest news – Pro bono record for Australian firms; Graduates acknowledge Allens; Employees value culture most of all

Firms report record number of pro bono hours The Australian legal profession is performing more pro bono work than ever before, despite the turmoil caused by COVID-19. According to the 7th National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey, respondents in 2020 reported performing a record 457,216.4 hours of pro bono legal work, and the highest recorded […]