For decades, versatility was a selling point in the Australian legal market. Mid-sized firms built their identity on being broad. With technological evolution in full swing and shifting market conditions, that model is now under a lot of pressure. Alison Laird, Director of Innovation at the College of Law, has seen two new operating models emerging.

From July 2026, Australian law firms will need to comply with sweeping reforms to the nation's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime while continuing to run their practice. We spoke to Jessica Smith, Director of Risk Consulting at Grant Thornton, on how to best navigate this transition.

From poisonous mushrooms to hallucinating AI, to the social media ban and the Family Law Amendment Act… it’s been a busy year for lawmakers and courts. We reflect on the major legal moments that defined 2025.

In a world full of extroverts and loud leadership, quieter ways of leading and the power of a more introspective approach can be overlooked. In this article we talk to global executive coach and general manager of professional leadership consultancy FrontTier, Sam Shosayna, about the unique leadership abilities introverts possess. In the law, listening, observing and assessing, can provide powerful insights and leadership.

The Australian Government recently ruled out changing copyright law to allow AI to train its models on Australian creative work. We caught up with privacy, AI and tech lawyer Matthew Hodgkinson, AI regulation expert Raymond Sun, and bestselling author Wenee Yap to review these recent developments and assess what it may mean for Australia’s approach to AI.

What happens when a lawyer can deliver the same outcome in two hours that previously took twenty? Gordon Tian, an accountant, barrister, and business coach for law firms, believes the answer isn't to bill less time; it's to rethink how legal services are priced entirely. Value-based pricing, he argues, isn't just an esoteric alternative – it's the model for firms to remain competitive as AI transforms legal work.

A journey from big tech to legal practice has produced Logic Firm, a practice management system built by someone who understands the subtle tensions of legal work. For example, why optimising billable activities can threaten a firm's revenue model, or why universal buy-in comes from improving tedious non-billable processes like quote management and billing review.

Learn how emoji are making their way into Australian law. John Molloy, Lecturer at the College of Law, recently won the Australian Institute of Administrative Law blog competition with his examination of emoji use in administrative law. His analysis explores how these small digital pictographs might reshape legal communication in an increasingly digital world.

  Major reforms to South Australia’s succession laws came into force on 1 January 2025. The new year saw the repeal of three Acts (the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) and the Wills Act 1936 (SA)), replacing these with a single Succession Act 2023. These are the most significant changes to be made in 30 years, Lawyer Megan Horsell outlines what you need to know.    

From practical legal guides on cross-qualifying in the US and UK markets to insights on working with neurodivergent clients, our top ten legal stories highlight the profession's commitment to adaptation and excellence. As we head into 2025, these stories paint a picture of a profession in transition, where understanding the diverse needs of our clients matters as much as updates to the law itself. Let’s explore what captured your attention in 2024.