Being called a “sellout” isn’t often considered a compliment, but I am going to embrace the term when applied to the Law Society’s 2023 Annual Conference held last Thursday and Friday at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.

At the outset, the Events team and other staff from the Law Society, some doubling as presenters and moderators, are owed a debt of gratitude for pulling together a magnificent event that provided practitioners from across NSW invaluable opportunities for networking and learning.

The Annual Conference has well and truly marked a triumphant return to face-to-face events for the Law Society. Remembering though that if you cannot attend our events in person, LawInform still has a comprehensive online offering for all your CPD needs.

Both days of the conference were fully subscribed to by around 400 members, who joined for an opening day of a Masterclass in Legal Practice and on the following day, four streams: Government Law, Young Lawyers, In-House, and Rural and Private Practice.

As a career-long rural practitioner, the latter stream is close to my heart. The quality of the sessions, tailored to respond to a range of issues unique to rural communities and private practice, was excellent. These included complexities around family-related property matters, firearms licensing, and managing conflict in locations where everyone knows everyone.

I was especially pleased to pay tribute to the 24 years’ service of the Grenfell-based Peter Moffit, on our Rural Issues Committee. Peter has made an invaluable contribution to the Law Society and the wider legal profession, and I thank him for co-hosting the Rural and Private Practice stream of the Conference on Friday.

We were so fortunate to have access to the enormous expertise of our presenters across all streams at the Conference. It seems practitioners attending agreed wholeheartedly.

Respondents to our survey for Day 1 observed that the “speakers were so captivating” and sessions were “excellent”. The average rating respondents gave the Conference was 4.95/5. That’s near enough to five stars for me! (Day two results are pending).

Have your say at our AGM and Councillor election

The next major event the Law Society is hosting this month is the Annual General Meeting (AGM). You will remember that last year members passed a motion to introduce reforms to bring the Law Society’s governance into the 21st Century.

Part of those reforms involves transitioning the Council of the Law Society from a board of 21 Councillors to a more contemporary governing body of 15 Councillors.

At Council’s meeting last month, terms for six councillors expired. I want to thank each of those councillors for their dedicated service to the state’s legal profession through their work on the Law Society Council and various committees.

In the past couple of weeks, you received in your inbox an invitation to vote for the three vacant positions on the Council. I not only ask you to take part in this election as a voter, but also to consider whether you should put your hand up next year as a candidate to serve the profession as a Councillor.

I can attest to the rewards of being part of a body dedicated to improving the solicitor profession, but also to advocating for law reform to create a better, more just community.

Likewise, as a member, you’re invited to attend the AGM either in person, or by proxy. It’s being held on site at 4.30pm on 26 October at 170 Phillip Street, Sydney.

CEO leaves Law Society

As you may be aware, Sonja Stewart has tendered her resignation as Law Society Chief Executive Officer.

Since her appointment in August 2020, Sonja has contributed much to this organisation, the legal profession, and the justice system.

Pending any decisions on a recruitment process for a new CEO, the Council of the Law Society has appointed our Chief Operating Officer Kenneth Tickle as Acting CEO.

Cassandra Banks, President, Law Society of NSW