IKD Roundtable Report on Legal Billing in Australia
Launched at the 15th National Conference of the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association on 12 November 2009, the IKD Roundtable Report on Legal Billing in Australia generated significant media attention, with comments in the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, and Lawyers Weekly.
The 36-page research-based report includes analysis, comments and conclusions derived from two Roundtables convened by IKD in September 2009 in Melbourne and Sydney. Roundtable participants included experienced in-house counsel from a diverse range of sectors leading legal teams of varying sizes.
This report has a number of unique characteristics.
Firstly, to our knowledge, it is the first report of its kind published in Australia solely dedicated to the topic of legal billing. Granted, the topic has been discussed widely. However, many of the published articles and media commentary to date have been limited in scope. In contrast, this report examines legal billing in-depth by considering not only the views of key players in the legal profession but also the assumptions underlying and implications emerging from these views.
Secondly, this report has a strong practice-oriented focus. Instead of adopting a purely academic approach, we decided to canvass the views of experienced general counsel and lawyers in private practice. The invitation-only Roundtables brought together general counsel and chief legal officers who lead medium-sized to large legal teams – from both private and public sector organisations – as well as senior lawyers from medium to large law firms. The Roundtables provided a forum for participants to discuss in an open and robust way their views on legal billing.
Thirdly, the report is peppered with many verbatim statements made during the Roundtables. To provide some degree of confidentiality, none of these statements have been attributed to any of the Roundtable participants who made them. Nonetheless, these comments provide invaluable insights into the views of thought leaders in the Australian legal scene. They generate a level of forthrightness and immediacy which is impactful.
The report is available for sale at AUD$490 plus $49 GST = $539 (GST inclusive). ACLA members qualify for a discounted price of AUD$440 plus $44 GST = $484 (GST inclusive). Please click here for the report Order Form.
IKD Roundtable Director Dr Benny Tabalujan, + 61 422 450 636
Participants Nestle, Commonwealth Bank, Caltex Australia, Goldman Sachs JB Were, Woolworths, Siemans Pacific Cluster, Telstra, Qantas, Victorian Department of Transport, ASIC, National Australia Bank, Advent Lawyers, Allens Arthur Robinson, Deacons, Freehills, Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Geer, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Mallesons, Clayton Utz, Optim Legal, Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison.
