Reports are still difficult to piece together, not least because the Australian police have not released details of the resolution of the 17-hour siege. However, it has been said that Katrina Dawson was shielding Julie Taylor, a 19-week pregnant barrister from the same chambers when Ms Dawson was shot.

Married to KWM partner

Ms Dawson was married to Paul Smith, a partner in King & Wood Mallesons, with whom she had three children. Her brother is Sanday Dawson Junior, a well-known defamation barrister. Their father is Alexander Dawson, the former head of Abbotts. 

Henry Davis York closed

Meanwhile, DLA Piper and the Australian firm Henry Davis York were forced to close their offices in Sydney during the siege in the city's financial district. Henry Davis York blocked out all other information on its website and replaced it with a notice, posted on Monday, about the situation in the CBD (Central Business District). It read: 'The situation in the CBD remains the same. You will receive a further update at 6 am in the morning. If the situation has not resolved overnight the HDY building will remain closed tomorrow.' The website was back to normal after the siege ended. Source: HDY and News.au.com