Australia, insurance, car, home, live, holidays

MinterEllison’s Annette Kimmitt apologised to colleagues for “the pain you may be experiencing”.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Labelling the minister’s case a “high-profile matter”,Ms Kimmitt wrote that like others at the firm,she’d only learnt of Mr Bartlett’s appointment through social media and news reports.

Mr Bartlett,a partner at MinterEllison,is one of the country’s top defamation and media lawyers.

“The nature of this matter is clearly causing hurt to some of you,and it has certainly triggered hurt for me. I know that for many it may be a tough day,and I want to apologise for the pain you may be experiencing,” the email said.

“The acceptance of this matter did not go through the firm’s due consultation or approval process.”

Mr Porter this week vehemently denied accusations that he raped a 16-year-old girl during a school trip more than three decades ago.

NSW Police said on Tuesday it hadclosed its investigation into a South Australian woman’s allegation she was raped in 1988 by Mr Porter. Police in South Australia are now investigating the woman’s death on behalf of the coroner aftershe took her own life last year.

A legal source familiar with the matter,who asked not to be named,said the email was likely to be causing division within the high-profile firm.

They said lawyers acted for all types of people and companies no matter the allegations they faced,labelling the email a “step too far”.

“It’s very poorly handled,” they said.

But others close to the company said it was common practice to notify firms when taking on high-profile or controversial clients that could create a reputational risk.

Barristers cannot refuse briefs based on their personal beliefs or opinions under the “cab-rank rule”.

Solicitors aren’t governed by the same principle,and big law firms can pick and choose who they represent and refuse to advise people because of a conflict with the firm’s values or because they present a reputational risk.

In 2011,Arnold Bloch Leibler dropped former client RedBubble over the listing of “Hipster Hitler” merchandise on the website,because of the firm’s ties to the Jewish community.

It’s the second time MinterEllison has made headlines in recent months.

In October,the law firm wasreferred to the legal watchdog after failing to hand over emails to Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry.

The firm is also contracted to work forThe Age.

Mr Bartlett,Ms Kimmitt and MinterEllison all declined to comment when contacted on Friday.

National Sexual Assault,Family&Domestic Violence Counselling Line:1800 737 732. Crisis support can be found at Lifeline:(13 11 14 andlifeline.org.au),the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467 andsuicidecallbackservice.org.au) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636 andbeyondblue.org.au).

License this article

Legal profession