The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) is well known as Australia’s financial intelligence agency. It was perhaps not as well known for its regulatory responsibility – at least…
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International Bar Association Survey Data Exposes Bullying and Harassment in Legal Profession
Half of women lawyers and one-third of male lawyers have experienced bullying in the workplace, according to the recent survey of almost 7,000 respondents across 135 countries conducted by the International Bar…
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Corporate Social Responsibility from the Progressive Era to the Banking Royal Commission
After a tumultuous year our banks are back in the spotlight. When several of the Big Four banks failed to pass on the recent interest rate cut in full, Treasurer…
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How Law Firm Sales Teams Can Be the New Rainmakers
Law firms can be stressful places to work. Firm billing pressures, client deadline demands, management and leadership committee participation commitments, and business development responsibilities all lead to what many lawyers…
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Reproductive Laws in Alabama and Australia: Wade-ing into Dangerous Waters?
In 1973 the United States Supreme Court handed down the decision in Roe v Wade 93 S.Ct. 705 (1973) (Roe v Wade). This decision held that the right to privacy…
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Business Model Innovation and the Future of Law Firm Culture
Market forces are converging to change the competitive environment for law firms. What role does a firm’s business model play in achieving success? Michael writes on how one law firm’s unique model has led to fast growth.
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Defamation and the Federal Court: a Rush to Expand Jurisdiction
Few civil cases have prompted a nationwide media circus quite like Geoffrey Rush’s 2018 defamation claim against Nationwide News. With accusations of inappropriate behaviour against one of Australia’s most recognizable…
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Did the Legislative Reforms and Redress Scheme for CSA Survivors Go Far Enough?
Several legislative reforms have taken place since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) released its final recommendations in 2017, with Victoria and New South Wales…
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Lawyers, it’s OK to Make Matter Management Mistakes (Sometimes)
In the discussion of “lawyering at the speed of business,” the panelists talked about using mistakes as learning opportunities. Their focus wasn’t on avoiding mistakes at all costs — a…
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Safe Access Zone Laws: a Burden on Implied Freedom of Political Communication?
Unlike the United States, Australia has no equivalent to the First Amendment right of free speech. Instead, Australians have an implied right of freedom of political communication arising from the…
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