1: ‘We have to continue fighting’: The changes the profession must consider in 2021 to achieve true gender equality

Happy International Women’s Day! Unfortunately, for young, female lawyers entering the profession, it means starting with the same (if not worse) gender pay gap and in a legal workplace dominated by men. While some firms may boast that there are a ton of changes underway to make it an equal environment, Australian Women Lawyers president Leah Marrone cautions them to think again. We also talked to a barrister on her experiences and checked in with the biggest firms. 

2: Christian Porter speaks to rape allegations

Let’s get to the biggest news of the week (month? Year? Probably). On Wednesday, 3 March, our Attorney-General – aka the chief legal officer of the land – outed himself as the cabinet minister referred to in the allegations of a rape circulated widely in media. He absolutely denied this ever happening but his cries largely went unanswered as the profession turned to calls for an inquiry to begin. 

3: Kate Jenkins to conduct review into parliamentary workplace culture

Speaking of, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins (the same Kate Jenkins behind the Respect@Work report), announced that she would be undertaking an investigation into the workplaces of parliamentarians and their staff. While this news was dropped a day after Mr Porter’s press conference, it seems more to do with the allegations that staffer Brittany Higgins had been raped by a more senior colleague. 

4: Lawyer X inquiry gets NZ monitor to keep reforms on track

Moving over (and back) to the Lawyer X royal commission, Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has appointed a seasoned New Zealand judge and chair of the country’s independent police conduct authority board to oversee implementation of the final report’s recommendations. It’s a pretty big deal considering his position back home and because every single one of the recommendations will come to life. 

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5: Largest women’s health class action decision upheld

In class action news, Shine Lawyers confirmed that a landmark decision from November 2019 ruling in favour of women impacted by pelvic mesh implants sold by Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon were not fit for purpose has been upheld. The judgement itself is a major win for the women and could set a new standard.

6: ‘Urgent response needed’: Legal profession responds to aged care report

Lawyers have responded to the aged care final report with hope that – as long as the recommendations are actually implemented – the sector could be set to change radically to improve the lives of our ageing residents. However, there is still so much concern that the government will uphold its track record/tradition of blatantly ignoring similar recommendations by either delaying or abandoning it altogether. 

7: Judge criticises man for ‘carrying on like pork chop’ in deadly assault

In this judgement sentencing a man to a prison sentence for the deadly assault of another, Supreme Court judge the Honourable Justice Michael Croucher broke away from the usually traditional remarks by comparing the assaulter to a “nasty hyena” who “carried on like a pork chop”. In doing so, he sets a new tone for the judgement. 

8: Chief Justice welcomes Newcastle lawyers for first time in 25 years

For the first time in 25 years, Newcastle University was excited to host the Honourable Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, president of the Court of Appeal Justice Andrew Bell, Chief Judge at Common Law Justice Clifton Hoeben and Chief Judge in Equity Julie Ward to welcome in a whole new set of lawyers into the profession. 

9: Victorian Bar launches online health and wellbeing portal

Victorian barristers can now access information and resources for mental health and wellbeing via a new portal designed by the Victorian Bar. The chair of its health and wellbeing committee talked to Lawyers Weekly about how the portal will assist lawyers and why it is so important barristers are engaging with support services. 

10: The rise of the ‘legal support-preneur’

For a bounty of reasons – from underappreciation by employers to a desire for greater flexibility – support professionals in law firms are looking to consult externally, which may cause law firms to rethink how they engage with experts.