On November 11, ACC and its Australia chapter submitted a comment letter to the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) in response to letters the LPBWA sent in-house counsel practicing under the title “Senior Legal Counsel,” directing them to alter their organizational titles. The LPBWA alleged the use of the word “senior” in conjunction with “counsel” creates confusion with the title “Senior Counsel,” which is reserved for barristers. In its letter, ACC requested the LPBWA provide a basis for its decision to prohibit in-house counsel from using their organizational titles. Further, ACC argued that the title “Senior Legal Counsel” is a common organization title, poses no risk to the public, and the prohibition of its use would cause unnecessary confusion and interfere with business operations in affected corporations.
Click here to read the letter.