
Simpson Grierson – As highlighted in the results and insights from our recent Transforming the In-house Legal Team Survey, Covid-19 has exacerbated the ongoing dilemma for in-house teams of how to deliver “more-for-less”. However, there are also lots of positive signs that teams are remaining committed to evolving how they work by embracing new skills.
[adrotate banner=”106″]
Skills development is the key focus for one of the Leaders Fireside Chats happening as part of TechLaw.Fest next week. A stellar panel including Mary Shen O’Carroll (Director of Legal Operations at Google) will be re-framing the people element of legal operations and business alignment by examining the importance of skills development.
The discussion will be moderated by Michele DeStefano, author of a number of excellent books including Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaborate and Innovation in Law which leverages over 100 interviews with general counsels and heads of innovation. It should be an interesting an insightful panel discussion.
What we’re up to: Webinar – Transforming the In-house Legal Team
Following on from our recent survey mentioned above, we are running a webinar on 14 October to flesh out the insights and results.
We will also be sharing practical tips on a number of top priorities highlighted by in-house teams. Zelda Gower (Senior Associate) will cover the opportunities and challenges of digital signing and Louise Taylor (Special Counsel) will touch on some of the key things to be aware of when assessing new tech tools. More details and invite to come.
[adrotate banner=”105″]
- Hamilton Law Firm Fined $60K for AML Breaches and Obstruction
- ANZ’s CCCFA Defence: The Dog Ate My Compliance Calculator

- Winston Peters Disavows Key Claim in Attorney-General’s Letter – Judicial Conduct Panel Report on Judge Ema Aitken
In a significant procedural footnote to New Zealand’s first full Judicial Conduct Panel inquiry, Winston Peters has formally disavowed a specific statement attributed to him in a letter sent by then-Attorney-General Judith Collins to Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann. The revelation is contained in the Judicial Conduct Panel’s report released on 10 April 2026 into the conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken, which we have reported previously on several occasions, as befits hearings of rowdy judicial goings-on in salubrious surroundings. Log in to read . . - NZ Law – The Great Escape: Why NZ’s Regional Law Firms Can’t Hold Their Lawyers

- Legal AI – JustFund: From Divorce Funding Pioneer to Estate Law Disruptor
JustFund is an Australian legal finance startup that has rapidly evolved from a niche divorce funding provider into a dual-purpose lender targeting both family law and estate administration. Founded in 2022 by Sydney lawyers Jack O’Donnell and Andy O’Connor alongside fintech entrepreneur Craig Carroll, (pictured) the company has positioned itself as Australia’s first and only dedicated provider of legal funding for both family law and estate matters. As we reported last year, the company has also expanded to the New Zealand legal market. Log in to read more . .