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MinterEllison partners take half pay, staff asked to buy leave
Equity partners at MinterEllison have agreed to cut their draws by 50 per cent and permanent staff have been asked to purchase six weeks' leave as part of measures to weather the COVID-19 crisis.
Layoffs will be last resort as law firms weather COVID-19 crisis
Redundancies will be a last resort for law firms dealing with a diminishing work pipeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they try to avoid the talent shortages they faced at the end of the global financial crisis, according to a leading legal recruiter.
UK litigation funder secures $162M war chest for Aussie class actions
London-based litigation funder Balance Legal Capital has raised $162 million from institutional investors to pursue lawsuits in Australia and worldwide, including class actions.
Barristers call for financial help as work declines amid coronavirus pandemic
The association for practicing barristers in NSW has called for a financial support package for its members as courts restrict in-person hearings to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
HWL Ebsworth softens stance, lets lawyers work from home
After insisting that employees remain working in the office despite tough government restrictions to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, HWL Ebsworth has changed its tune, saying any lawyer wishing to work remotely could now do so, and would be paid as usual.
HWL Ebsworth faces potential workplace claim for keeping lawyers in office
HWL Ebsworth is keeping its offices open and requiring lawyers and staff to work at their desks despite updated government health advice, a decision that exposes the law firm to potential liability for workplace health and safety breaches, an employment expert says.
DLA Piper admits to breaching disclosure obligations in $466,000 costs dispute
A dispute over approximately $466,000 in unpaid legal costs has been sent to the Victorian Supreme Court after DLA Piper admitted it breached its disclosure obligations to a client in a patent case over a laser safety system.
Former Russells solicitor resolves case against firm
A former Russells restructuring and insolvency lawyer has resolved a lawsuit alleging the firm tried to manufacture a reason to terminate his unemployment.
On the line: Federal Court keeps wheels of justice turning by telephone
The Federal Court has updated guidance on its response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying it is working with lawyers to ensure as many hearings listed for the coming months can proceed. And Monday's calendar, while perhaps lighter than usual, shows multiple matters will be heard as planned -- by telephone.
Lawyers rise to challenge of court shutdowns, but backlog will have long-term ripple effect
The move by Australia's highest courts to vacate in-person hearings in the face of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have only a minor impact on cases in the short term, lawyers say, but the delays to trials and other major hearings will have a flow-on effect that could be felt for years to come.