Welcome back to the Dye & Durham Docket! As June rolls in, it's time to embrace either the warmth of summer or the coziness of winter, depending on where you are in the world. Regardless of the weather, we've got you covered with a solid line-up of legal and business news and stories to sink your teeth into. Settle in and let's dive in! 

Featured articles

Social media and kismet make for unlikely recruiting tools in this poetic story of how a legal army comprising lawyers, ex-lawyers, barely lawyers, and an "unemployed housewife" connects on twitter, wins a million-dollar judgment and is now focusing their combined legal prowess on the platform's owner, Elon Musk. 

The Council of the European Union recently greenlit the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, the first formal set of rules on AI. Watch lawyer and Member of the European Parliament, Dragoș Tudorache, discuss the Act and its impact on the global regulatory landscape. 

Industry insights

If you're still on the fence about AI, consider this: new research from PwC shows that lawyers with AI skills get paid more. 

Amidst rising demand for legal services and soaring salaries, Big Law firms in the US are rethinking compensation policies to pay certain partners more.  

With new technology comes new responsibility: how should a firm price AI-driven legal services? Be careful to avoid this common lawyer trap. 

The role of the in-house general counsel has evolved into that of a strategic business partner critical to business operations. In this insightful interview, Anne De Wolf, Honorary General Manager of the Belgian Institute of Company Lawyers, discusses how legal departments can fulfil this role while meeting compliance requirements. 

Baby boomers, cybersecurity, and AI are a few of the factors responsible for the rise in legal malpractice claims. 

Will AI replace human fashion models? Does upcycling violate trademark law? These are some of the questions keeping the global fashion industry's legal and regulatory framework in a constant state of evolution.  

Global news

The Australian scene

Here are key takeaways for lawyers from the 2024 Federal Budget, including a potential shift to an employer's job market and why tax cuts may mean lower salary increases for lawyers.  

Nominations for the 2024 Australia Law Awards are open! The event is on 30 August, and submissions close on 07 June. Get your nominations in soon! 

Australian lawyers in their 30s are the least satisfied cohort in private practice. Still, this senior lawyer believes there's much to learn from the new generation. 

What's up in Canada?

All eyes were on the Bank of Canada yesterday as it announced a much-anticipated reduction in the key interest rate for the first time since March 2020. In our latest Pulse Report, we asked Canadians how this June decision would impact their financial and real estate plans for the upcoming months.  

As large-scale protests occur across universities and public spaces in Canada and worldwide, this article examines the law on protests and whether a new legal framework is needed to handle them.  

May 6 -12 was Mental Health Week in Canada. Discover practical, evidence-based, stress-mitigating strategies in this exploration of stress and burnout among legal professionals.  

The Irish market

The countdown is on for the 2024 Irish Law Awards on June 14! Now in its 12th year, the event recognizes and honours outstanding achievements and lifelong dedication in the legal profession in Ireland. View the list of finalists. 

A mentor-mentee solicitor duo makes a compelling case for the Law Society Women in Leadership Programme. Hint: Applications for the 2024/2025 programme are open but will close soon. 

As human rights issues become increasingly complex and systemic, Stephen Collins, Senior Solicitor at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, argues that human rights law should be embedded in every area of practice. 

The scene in South Africa

With the ruling ANC party losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years, an analysis of AI and the 2024 South African elections prompts contemplation not only for South Africans but also for the global community — especially as the US gears up for its own potentially record-breaking polls in November. 

In 2022, Indigenous communities in South Africa successfully invoked their cultural rights in climate litigation against Shell. An appeals court recently dismissed Shell's subsequent appeal but offered the company a lifeline in an ongoing saga that illustrates the intersection of environmental law, human rights, and constitutional law. 

This comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks governing intellectual property, data privacy, and AI in South Africa provides guidance for businesses and legal practitioners navigating the complex landscape. 

What's up in the UK?

Recent research reveals a difference in workplace attitudes between Gen Z lawyers and their older counterparts — challenge or opportunity?  

Learn why this senior judge believes AI will significantly change the role of expert witnesses. 

Switching deadlines from Fridays to Wednesdays: is this simple adjustment the key to reducing workplace stress and improving well-being? These legal experts think so. 

Dye & Durham in the news

We recently launched DeeDee, the first generative AI-enabled offering from Dye & Durham! Trained by lawyers and powered by the most advanced models from OpenAI, DeeDee is not just a legal information AI assistant but a game-changer in the legal industry. With its always-on availability enabling immediate access to localized legal information, the ability to summarize legal principles, and even the ability to generate first drafts of documents, DeeDee is set to revolutionize the way legal professionals work. DeeDee is currently available through our Unity® Global Platform in the UK. 

Our team had a wonderful time at the 2024 Canadian Law Awards, which celebrated the hard work, dedication, innovation, and achievement of legal professionals in practices and organizations nationwide. Our Chief Revenue Officer, Aaron Eichenlaub, had the honour of presenting The Dye & Durham Award for Lifetime Achievement in The Legal Profession to honorees Andrea Wood LLB, LLM, ICD.D for In-House and Sheila Block for Private Practice.  

Congratulations to all the 2024 nominees and winners! 

Our Head of Product in Australia, Tobi Heskett, spoke to Lawyer Weekly about how she “stumbled” into a passion for technology and rose to become the head of product in a male-dominated sector. 

    Dye & Durham in action

Dye & Durham Team Toronto sponsored and participated in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's on May 25! It was a fantastic opportunity to raise funds and awareness for a great cause while fostering bonds among our colleagues.

Dye & Durham Team Australia participated in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Million Paws Walk in Brisbane, an event dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat animal cruelty.

A lighter note

Much Ado About the Apostrophe: An English town dropped apostrophes from its street signs, drawing outrage from many —including the Apostrophe Protection Society. So, the Council brought it back.  

That’s it for this edition of the Dye & Durham Docket. Thank you for reading. Till next month, and long live the apostrophe! 

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