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Top 20 stories in 2024
It has been an extraordinary year for legal news in 2024, from misbehaving lawyers to major court decisions. Here, count down the 20 most-read news stories of the year.
Lawyers Weekly
20. Former silk cannot shake findings he ‘thwarted’ administration of justice
19. Barrister drops action against solicitor following ‘sad history of litigation’
In the latest chapter in a “sad history of litigation between the parties”, the NSW Supreme Court dismissed appeal proceedings brought by a barrister against a solicitor who retained him.
18. Perth lawyer guilty of professional misconduct for affidavit mishap
A Perth lawyer was hit with a $23,000 fine for carelessly affirming an affidavit despite a senior associate’s concerns.
17. Barrister struggles to hold onto practising certificate after controversy with massager
A Queensland barrister has fought to hold onto his practising certificate months after a court ordered him to repay the $240,000 loaned to him by a friend who massaged him.
16. Inquiry head to be investigated for alleged corruption
Walter Sofronoff, who headed up an inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann’s criminal trial, will be investigated over allegations of corruption.
15. Lying lawyer admits to professional misconduct
A West Australian lawyer was hit with a professional misconduct finding for lying to his clients and a court.
14. Qld lawyer to be struck off after disappearing act
Despite a claim he would “aggressively” chase a client’s matter, a Queensland lawyer failed to make any progress for years at a time.
13. Bizarre drunk emails to Chief Justice, Law Society see aspiring lawyer denied admission
An aspiring lawyer will not be admitted into the profession after she sent thousands of bizarre emails to a Chief Justice’s associate and a Law Society, including unintelligible rants about urinary tract infections, Valium, bottles of wine, and butter on toast.
12. Firm that claimed entire $11m class action settlement to appeal order to slash amount
The law firm slammed for racking up avoidable costs in a class action and claiming the entirety of an $11 million settlement was granted leave to appeal a decision to reduce that amount by over $1 million.
11. ‘An inestimable leader’: HWL Ebsworth managing partner dies at 64
Longstanding managing partner of HWL Ebsworth, Juan Martinez, passed away suddenly on Monday night, with the firm confirming the news today (Tuesday, 19 March).
10. Solicitor who slept in law firm unsuccessfully appeals Fair Work decision
A regional lawyer who said she was forced to quit because she was sleeping in her law firm’s office has appealed a Fair Work decision.
9. Fired lawyer’s misconduct ‘deeply sickened’ colleagues, Fair Work told
A solicitor was fired from Men’s Legal Service over a number of serious misconduct allegations, including one that “deeply sickened” the lawyers who had to take over one of her cases.
8. Sydney lawyer fired after salary cut in half
A lawyer claimed she was fired the day after she called in sick for mental health distress by a director who regularly threatened to terminate her employment and halved her salary without sufficient notice.
7. Fired lawyer who ‘sickened’ colleagues appeals Fair Work decision
An ousted solicitor who called an opposing lawyer a “c--t” and engaged in conduct that “deeply sickened” her colleagues has tried to overturn a Fair Work decision that her termination was fair.
6. Proposed castle law a ‘dangerous response to crime in Queensland’
A proposed law in Queensland, which has sparked heated debate, would grant residents the right to use lethal force to protect their homes. However, this measure has drawn strong criticism from lawyers, who consider it an extreme and perilous response to crime.
5. Barrister suspended for kissing, texting family law judge
A West Australian counsel who had a “close personal relationship” with the judge presiding over her client’s matter has been fined and suspended from practising for nine months.
4. Supreme Court puts end to lawyer, notorious law firm
A Victorian lawyer has claimed a “conspiracy” against himself, his colleagues, and their controversial law firm was behind the Legal Services Board’s decision not to renew his practising certificate.
3. NSW lawyer fired for internet search history
An intellectual property firm was ordered to compensate a former employee it dismissed over his internet browsing history.
2. Lehrmann’s defamation trial may be far from over, says expert
Legal experts weigh in on the key takeaways from Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial and make predictions about what may come next.
1. Local lawyer gets kicked out of profession for 2 years after ‘serious’ misconduct
A regional lawyer was barred from practising for two years after a series of blunders in one matter, including directing a junior lawyer under her supervision to send a false document to a government agency.
