Oceania/Australia - Page 18
Half of Australian firms have under-developed marketing capabilities
Some 47 per cent of business development and marketing capabilities in Australian and New Zealand law firms are 'under-developed', according to a survey by the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA).
Lawyers in Australia become more optimistic
Some 64 per cent of respondents to the Legal Market Update survey say they are somewhat or very positive about the future of the legal market.
Aviation lawyer sued by Shine over clients related to plane disasters
Shine Lawyers is suing an ex-employee on the grounds that he has taken six clients he was working with for the firm in relation to the MH17 and MH370 Malaysian Airlines disasters.
Boutiques and national firms go head to head for Australian work
Boutiques are starting to fight for the same work as national firms, positioning nationals as their major threat, according to Ted Dwyer of Dwyer Consulting.
Clayton Utz seeks Sydney home
The international firm has released a mandate describing its needs for space within a 'leading edge office building in the Sydney CBD'.
Poker machine operators could face legal action in Australia
Melbourne-based law firm Maurice Blackburn, working with a coalition of anti-gambling groups called Alliance for Gambling Reform, is preparing a case arguing that poker machine operators are engaging in deceptive and misleading conduct.
Women lawyers lag behind men by A$20k a year in South Australia
A report from the Law Society of South Australia shows that women are earning substantially less than men in the legal profession, but many women are working part-time and few have the years of experience that the long-serving men have.
HSF launches 'pop-up' review centre in Perth
International firm Herbert Smith Freehills has established a 'pop-up' document review centre in Perth, in order to provide round-the-clock support to clients.
Australian customers join class action against VW
Law firm Maurice Blackburn is preparing to launch a class action lawsuit against VW after it admitted that more than 90,000 cars in Australia are fitted with software that cheats on emissions.
M&A deals fall to surprise low in Australia, according to Herbert Smith
The number of deals hit an all-time low, confounding expectations based on a strong 2013-14, according to the seventh annual Herbert Smith Freehills Australian Public M&A Report.
Large firms accused of using law grads as slave labour in Australia
The Australian Law Students Association (ALSA) says that unpaid internships in large law firms have amounted to 'slave labour', highlighting one firm that planned to charge A$22,000 to graduates for a two-year work arrangement.
Wotton + Kearney prepares to launch in Perth
After a decade of working with Western Australia clients, insurance specialist Wotton & Kearney is to open an office in Perth.
Firms urged to take on Mandarin speakers to advise Chinese investors
A wave of sophisticated Chinese investment in Australia is creating a need for advice to be given by Mandarin speakers. But there is currently a gap in the market, according to one local firm.
NSW trials online court
Lawyers in New South Wales will now be able to make requests and seek preliminary orders such as adjournments and hearing dates online.
Australia makes Visa pay in antitrust case
The Australian competition regulator has fined Visa for anti-competitive conduct.
Lawyer who swindled Legal Aid loses licence
A NSW solicitor who fraudulently charged Legal Aid A$30,000 has been stripped of his right to practice law.
Legal work slumps in Australia but global firms forge ahead
Global law firms with offices in Australia have experienced a decline in demand for their services, but are reporting increased revenues.
Modest pay rises satisfy majority of Australian lawyers
Australian lawyers in private practice saw an average increase of 3% in pay this year, with 60% of them expressing satisfaction at this outcome, according to the Jacinta Fish Legal Salary Survey.
Biggest challenge for law firms is finding new customers
Finding new customer is such a challenge for law firms that many have decided to expand their geographic network, according to a research report on Australia and New Zealand.
Legal profession moves en masse into app design
Large and small law firms are working on their own client technology innovations, including the creation of apps, according to Lawyers Weekly in Australia.