brief.

News

New national study into life after law

A new national study by legalsuper aims to explore how lawyers and others working in the profession are planning for life beyond legal practice.

November 9, 2026

News

Chief Justice clarifies PD changes governing Senior Counsel appointments

The Hon Chief Justice Peter Quinlan has asked the Law Society to help correct misconceptions within the profession in relation to the process for the appointment of Senior Counsel.

November 4, 2026

Opinion

Beyond the red flags: Reviewing your first Master Services Agreement

Mako Murazvu demonstrates how to review MSAs, identify key commercial risks and develop the judgment to deliver sharper, more practical advice.

November 4, 2026

Opinion

The art of becoming a contented lawyer: Mentorship, mistakes and a little perspective

Alf Macolino draws on almost half a century of experience as a lawyer to offer some practical guidance to all lawyers at any stage of their career, using humour, wisdom

November 2, 2026

Legal lifestyle

From legal briefs to mountain peaks: Lessons from Kilimanjaro

From dodgy contracts to altitude sickness, Mary-Kate Ledger and Taylor Saggers discover that working in law and climbing Kilimanjaro both require preparation, resilience and supportive mates.

October 29, 2026

Practice updates

Case notes·Practice updates

High Court judgments: October 2026

Chaplin v Secretary, Department of Social Services [2026] HCA 22 and Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd [2026] HCA 21 and Cullen v New South Wales

October 9, 2026

Practice updates·Risk management

Risk alert: AI and increasing risk factors for legal practitioners

Jehan-Philippe Wood and Johnathan Edgelow discuss how AI adoption is increasing among Australian legal practitioners, but inadequate supervision, verification and governance create significant professional, ethical and regulatory risks.

October 8, 2026

Legal updates

The Singleton decision: High Court quashes NT water licence in landmark Indigenous rights decision

Gwynette Govardhan examines the Singleton Station, NT groundwater license decision in the recent High Court ruling.

October 5, 2026

Legal updates

Simplified initial client due diligence (ICDD): An excellent opportunity to reduce client friction

Fiona Halsey explains how to reduce client friction, compliance costs and staff burdens using simplified ICDD under AML CTF rules.

October 2, 2026

In-depth

Vale Bill Gummow, law’s Renaissance man

Brief Editor-at-Large Dr Michael Douglas reflects on the many lessons imparted by the late Hon William Gummow AC.

September 18, 2026

Opinion

Beyond the ‘Good bloke defence’: Rethinking good character in sentencing

Isobel Millward, Juris Doctor student at UWA, argues proposed reforms to good character sentencing raise important questions about judicial discretion and the need for evidence-based consultation.

October 28, 2026

News

Irreverence, roasting and rivalry as big firms get spicy at Law Society event

It was an all-in roast fest at Friday night's infamous Golden Gavel competition as eight young lawyers took part in a stinging battle of wits.

October 27, 2026

In-depth

Reflecting on 50 years of the Family Court of Western Australia

Registrar Genevieve Smit looks back on the history of the Family Court of Western Australia.

October 26, 2026

Legal lifestyle·Quirky cases

The tale of the late night traveller

Quirky Cases are brought to you by John McKechnie AO KC.

October 23, 2026

News

WA Government introduces Bill to modernise equal opportunity laws

The Cook Labor Government has introduced legislation to modernise Western Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act 1984, proposing expanded protections against discrimination, harassment and vilification.

October 21, 2026

News

Centenary year Law Society President announced as voting opens for Council positions

The Law Society of Western Australia has confirmed its 2027 President, with members now preparing to cast their votes in a hotly contested Council election.

October 20, 2026

News

Justice Lundberg explores Indigenous sentencing and the legacy of Bugmy

The enduring impact of childhood disadvantage, the importance of individualised justice, and the role of cultural understanding in sentencing were at the centre of the 2026 Sir Ronald Wilson Oration.

October 20, 2026

Opinion

The AI inflection point: How lawyers will shape Australia’s regulatory future

Gad Coffie and Marianne Rose argue that Australia needs urgent AI regulation as autonomous cyber threats emerge, with lawyers playing a critical role in shaping safeguards and protecting confidentiality.

October 19, 2026

Opinion

Beyond reproductive leave: Building menopause‑friendly workplaces for World Menopause Day

Grace Molloy, founder and CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia discusses the new ISO standard for menopause and how leading organisations are facilitating a broader support program at work.

October 16, 2026

News

Curtin Law Dean opposes proposed WA mega-university

The WA Government is investigating a three-university merger, with Curtin opposing the proposal and UWA calling for clear benefits to students and communities.

October 15, 2026

Legal Lifestyle

Opinion·Wellbeing

Three core attributes of tomorrow’s lawyers

Legal intuition, professional integrity and personal trustworthiness are the quintessentially human qualities that will enable lawyers to stay relevant and resolute in a post-AI world, writes Jordan Furlong.

September 16, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

A matter of trust – why AI guard rails are crucial

Amid commentary around the potential change to the staffing mix in law firms relating to AI, Mark Andrews explores the notion of trust and the legal profession.

August 31, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

The identity opportunity for lawyers

Generative AI will take over legal task performance and catalyse an identity crisis for the legal profession, unless lawyers instead turn this into an opportunity to redefine their purpose and value, writes Jordan Furlong.

August 7, 2026

Opinion·Wellbeing

The lost art of picking up the phone

Law firm leaders need to create a culture in which phone communication feel safe and normal, writes Leonie Green.

July 20, 2026

Podcasts

Legal lifestyle·Podcast

You know that oddly flat feeling when work is neither terrible nor fulfilling?

Reviewing Jennifer Breheny Wallace's book, 'Mattering' and realising the issue might not be the work, the hours or the pressure, but that you feel like you don't matter.

April 16, 2026