Welcome to the July edition of the Dye & Durham Docket! Summer is in full swing here in the northern hemisphere, and just like the rising temperatures outside, the legal profession is as busy as ever. We have an intriguing lineup of legal news, trends and stories this month, so grab a seat and read on! 

Featured articles

Charity everywhere but home: Read this cautionary tale about a prominent lawyer who, known for championing liberal causes and taking on "some of the world's biggest bullies," may have been the biggest bully at her own firm. 

On 26 June, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange returned home to Australia after a plea deal that ended a keenly watched 14-year legal battle. This marked the first time in American history that gathering and publishing information the government considers secret has been successfully treated as a crime. What might this mean for press freedoms? 

Industry insights

A groundbreaking report by the International Bar Association on the global socio-economic impact of the legal profession revealed that the legal profession directly contributes $1.6 trillion to the global economy via the work of more than 20 million lawyers, paralegals, and support staff, alongside a further 14 million workers in the supplier sector, including notaries and translators. 

This insightful interview with retired M&A executive Clay Horner is chock-full of wisdom about the art of deal-making, recovering from catastrophic injury and building a LinkedIn “career.” 

Speaking of LinkedIn, learn strategies for busy lawyers to enhance their profile and maximize their impact on the world's largest online professional network. 

Successful law firms prioritize branding as they understand it’s significance to the people who matter most to a firm's success. 

Armed with a passion for the law and a dedication to meeting client needs, this mobile lawyer is revolutionizing legal services in her community with a "truckload" of tech. 

Is legal blogging still relevant? Hear from two top lawyers and legal technology experts as they discuss past and current trends in legal blogs. They also address a question from ChatGPT about the biggest issues in legal tech today.  

Global news

The Australian scene

Discover the key takeaways and valuable lessons from a global exploration of generative AI. The comprehensive study involved more than 400 partners, lawyers, and staff, and its initial outcomes suggest that generative AI significantly enhanced the efficiency of legal document drafting. 

Genuine innovation or misleading claims? This article explores the emergence of "AI washing" and the ethical responsibilities and challenges that come with AI's rising influence in the Australian legal field. 

According to this report on trends in AI integration, fee arrangements and profitability metrics, 51% of law firms in Australia have changed their pricing models, with 88% switching to alternative fee arrangements for almost half or more of their work.  

What's up in Canada?

How does Bill C-59 reshape the Canadian competitive landscape? Read this comprehensive breakdown of the changes and their significant implications for businesses.  

Still on the competitive landscape, discover how recent changes are impacting lawyer salaries in Canada in this insightful report exploring the latest trends in legal recruitment and compensation. 

The capital gains inclusion rate increase took effect on June 25. Here's a detailed overview of this amendment and its impact on partnerships and trusts, employee stock options, and foreign affiliates.

The Irish market

In a David-and-Goliath-esque twist, fast-food giant McDonald's lost its long-running EU trademark fight over the iconic "Big Mac" to a smaller Irish chain, Supermac. Politico’s detailed coverage explores the potential ripple effects of this court decision and includes statements from both companies.  

Learn about the top 5 trademark disputes of all time. 

From regulatory changes to emerging market opportunities, this comprehensive summary of Ireland's key legal and business trends for 2024 offers valuable foresight for legal professionals and businesses. 

Learn about the Law Society of Ireland's "Culture First" initiative, which offers innovative strategies and support for enhancing workplace well-being and professional satisfaction in the legal sector. 

The scene in South Africa

South Africa recently launched a digital nomad visa, which allows eligible foreign nationals to work remotely for a foreign company or as a freelancer in South Africa. Read this analysis of what it means for employment law in the country. 

Whose responsibility is it to verify the authenticity of sick notes: the employer or employee? South Africa's Labour Appeal Court weighs in. 

Recent election outcomes have led to the formation of a coalition government for the first time in three decades, giving rise to renewed hope for many South Africans.  

What's up in the UK?

Generation tech: What changes are to be expected as Gen Z enters the legal profession? The latest Law Society Gazette roundtable discussion explored the unique perspectives and ambitions of the new generation of lawyers, shedding light on how they may shape the future of law. 

Speaking of the upcoming generation, be inspired by this young barrister's dream manifesto for law, justice and a better society. 

Against the backdrop of ongoing elections, stay abreast of the labour and employment law proposals set forth by the Labour Party, the current frontrunner. 

    Dye & Durham in action

We had a fantastic time at the 2024 Canadian General Counsel Awards (CGCA), which celebrated excellence in the in-house counsel community. Our Chief Revenue Officer, Aaron Eichenlaub, had the honour of presenting Andrew McLaughlin with the Mid-Market Excellence Award. Congratulations to Andrew and all the award recipients! 

Our UK team was proud to sponsor and participate in Legal Geek Growth 2024. The sun was out, cupcakes were flying off the stand, and we had many meaningful conversations! Our Director of Brand & Communications, Derek Holota, led an interactive session discussing key findings from recent research on generational attitudes towards technology and what they mean for law firms thinking about future-proofing their practices. 

Congratulations to all the Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards 2024 nominees and winners! The winners were announced at an elegant gala dinner at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Friday, June 14th. Kudos to the amazing Dye & Durham Ireland team for organizing such a fantastic evening to celebrate outstanding achievements in Ireland's legal profession. 

A lighter note

From witty remarks to hilarious courtroom moments, this article serves up five memorable cases in which judges delivered justice with a side of humour.

That’s it for this edition of the Dye & Durham Docket. Thank you for reading and see you next month! 

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