As 2024 draws to a close, the end of the CPD year is not that much further off. As usual, our dedicated CPD team has curated a program of learning designed not only to meet solicitors’ mandatory requirements, but also to engage practitioners’ curiosity.

You will have recently received an email announcing the launch of our 2025 CPD program, with courses of one to eleven units available from 30 January – 31 March. They include two one-day intensive courses on Property Law, and on Elder Law, Wills and Probate; a course on drafting wills over two half-days; the Law Society’s respected 10-unit Practice Management Course; and a two-day course on Conveyancing Fundamentals for Solicitors.

Given the CPD year ends on 31 March, our Mandatory rule 6.1 courses are in high demand during this period. There are 18 such courses of three to four units each, covering up to four compulsory knowledge areas.

The courses are tailored to a broad range of practice areas and segments, including for those practising in family law; government; and in-house, as well as criminal law; personal injury; privacy and data; and a course especially designed for sole practitioners.
There are four ‘Risk Briefings’ on offer in this program, delivered by Lawcover experts and dealing with sale and purchase of businesses; mortgages and leases; costs; and importantly in this age of phishing and AI, cyber risks.

With the health and wellbeing of the profession one of my President’s Priorities this year, I’m excited to announce another Mental Health First Aid for the Australian Legal Profession course in late March. Mental health first aid refers to the support provided before professional help is received.

As with our last such course in September, this is a comprehensive course, requiring some e-learning homework and two in-person workshops. The March course will be led for the first time by our Wellbeing Manager, Elli Balafas, providing five self-allocated CPD units.

As usual, all LawInform’s CPD courses are led by presenters and panelists who are experts in their fields. You can find the complete Q1 2025 LawInform course list here. Spots are limited for some courses.

Awards Night nominees announced

If there are two tentpoles that hold high a Presidential year, the Annual Members Dinner and Awards Night on Friday, 6 December, makes a great pair to the Opening of Law Term Dinner. It falls to me this year to announce the winner of the President’s Medal, one of several awards to be conferred on the night.

These awards underscore the importance to our profession of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to justice. They also serve as a reminder of the critical role that lawyers play in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of individuals and communities.

Given the quality of the nominees this year, the task of choosing a winner is almost impossible. See who these remarkable solicitors are here. If you haven’t done so already, you can book a seat or table at the Annual Members Dinner here. There are only a few tickets are left. See you there!

Brett McGrath, President, Law Society of NSW