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This week, a prominent Sydney law firm revealed it had been targeted for a serious cyber incident, and an international firm entered a partnership with a private equity investor. Here is your weekly round-up of the biggest stories for Australia’s legal profession.
For the week from 10 to 14 March, these were the 10 most-read stories on Lawyers Weekly (in case you missed them):
1. Judge ‘vexed’ with deductions in settlement sum
In approving a settlement in a class action against NAB, a Federal Court judge has said there were two deductions that “vexed” him, including the sum to be paid to the funder for insurance and commission.
2. Court pushes for final hearing of negligence claim against law firm
Following several delays, an “irresponsible” timetabling submission, and an “unceasing stream” of allegations of judicial corruption, a Supreme Court has fixed a final hearing date in a client’s negligence claim against a boutique commercial law firm.
3. 30 Under 30 Awards winners unveiled for 2025
A total of 30 winners have been selected out of over 280 finalists at this year’s 30 Under 30 Awards.
4. Solicitor hit with fresh charges of ‘offensive’ conduct
Further allegations of offensive and abusive conduct have been levelled against a solicitor who will soon face strike-off proceedings for calling another practitioner a “pathetic human”.
5. Inside a former HR manager’s lawsuit against Slaters
In addition to grappling with the fallout from a “disparaging” firm-wide email, one of Australia’s leading compensation firms has had to defend itself against allegations it brought “inappropriate disciplinary action” against a former human resources manager.
6. Lawyer gets 8 years’ jail for fatal hit-run crash
An Adelaide lawyer who hit and killed a 70-year-old man while driving under the influence of alcohol has been jailed for eight years.
7. Piper Alderman adds 6 partners, appoints 7th, from Squire Patton Boggs
The national partnership at BigLaw firm Piper Alderman has swelled to over 90, with 16 professionals – including six partners and a senior associate who has joined as a partner – arriving from global practice Squire Patton Boggs since late last year.
8. Quadrant Private Equity invests in LegalVision
Private equity firm Quadrant is taking an ownership stake in LegalVision, an Australian-founded disruptor firm that now operates across three countries.
9. Brydens Lawyers suffers alleged ransomware attack
A prominent Sydney law firm has revealed it was the victim of a serious cyber incident.
10. Firm founder called out for ‘disrespectful’ language amid fight with former director
A law firm’s long and tortured history of litigation against its former director and shareholder ended with persistent and unethical communication to the court that was, “at its lowest, disrespectful”.