The recent sentencing of Victorian paralegal Athena Razos to over five years in prison for embezzling $1.56 million from a prominent Australian law firm has sounded alarm bells across Victoria’s legal community. This incident underscores the critical vulnerabilities within law practices regarding the hiring and oversight of non-legal staff. The Victorian Legal Services Board and…
Advocate General at the European Court of Justice considers German rules on third-party ownership of law firms
In May 2023, the Bavarian Higher Lawyers’ Court requested a ruling from the European Court of Justice on an issue which has important implications for third party ownership of law firms in Germany. The ruling relates to the question of whether an Austrian company which is not authorised to provide legal advice services is nonetheless…
Understanding how the incorporation of a law firm morphs professionalism
Gordon, T. (2023). Understanding How the Incorporation of a Law Firm Morphs Professionalism. University of New South Wales. The organisation of professions has been the subject of rich academic attention over the past few decades as scholars have sought to understand how different organisational structures influence professionalism. This focus has been spurred by an increasing…
Understanding How the Incorporation of a Law Firm Morphs Professionalism
Tahlia, G. (2023). Understanding How the Incorporation of a Law Firm Morphs Professionalism. University of New South Wales. The organisation of professions has been the subject of rich academic attention over the past few decades as scholars have sought to understand how different organisational structures influence professionalism. This focus has been spurred by an increasing…
New skills for new lawyers: responding to technology and practice developments
The legal profession is facing a convergence of forces, most notably significant advances in the capabilities of technology, economic pressures challenging existing business models and globalisation, that herald momentous change to the practice of law. In Australia the lead in seeking to understand these developments and formulate responses has been taken by the Law Society of New South…