Maxim Shanahan

Gavin MacLaren has centralised power, prefers hiring from exclusive schools and secured a mega pay deal. His high-powered new consultancy has a controversial past.

He’s the art-loving ‘Chairman of Fun’ tipped for the High Court, but NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell is also an unusually outspoken advocate for the rule of law.

Slater and Gordon chief people officer Julie Catanach was the unwitting addressee of an infamous all-staff email that led to the firm’s pay leak crisis.

Liam Kelly, KC, has been appointed to assist the commission of inquiry and will be joined by two criminal law specialists.

Three directors will step down from the board, having finished their terms during a troubling time for the private-equity-owned law firm.

The CEO has made a pretty penny investing in a well-connected start-up, but evidence of his firm’s association has disappeared.

A decision on the King & Wood Mallesons alliance may come as soon as next year, when the Chinese division reviews its Eversheds Sutherland relationship.

Pogust Goodhead co-founder Tom Goodhead has been placed on leave, as tensions with the class action’s funder emerge ahead of a final judgment.

A Financial Review analysis of thousands of court cases involving companies has uncovered vast differences in how long it takes to reach a judgment.

Bella Ward moved to Russia to work just before the GFC hit and ended up doing 18-hour days, often sleeping under her desk. But that’s not what haunts her.

A corrupt wind farm deal in Montenegro, a controversial Russian legal conference and the financial problems of one of its most senior executives have thrown the spotlight on the Sino-Australian law firm.

Bridget Loudon-Harris, winner of the Alvarez & Marsal Special Award, thought Telstra had the wrong person when she was asked to join as a director.

Money laundering regulator AUSTRAC is a notable exception when it comes to the big financial agencies, reporting no median gender pay gap.

ACCC commissioner Liza Carver is among lawyers recently hired from the regulator by top-tier law firms expecting a spike in demand for advice on merger reform laws.

The legal profession is renowned for its damagingly long hours, but new laws are putting “reasonable additional hours” clauses under new scrutiny.

HSF management has been unable to convince partners to follow other firms and change its remuneration structure, as its merger with American firm Kramer Levin looms.

Argon & Co is the latest consulting firm to welcome outside capital, and says it will target mergers and acquisitions to grow rapidly.

The public sector consulting specialist now owned by Allegro Funds told employees it would cut about 10 per cent of its headcount and focus on tech work.

UK and US law firms are battling for market share on either side of the Atlantic. But expansion has proven much more difficult in Australia.

Said Jahani wants to elevate the fast-growing firm’s market position, but is cautious on following his UK and US colleagues in taking private capital.