As is tradition, last week’s Opening of Law Term Dinner provided me with an opportunity to announce my President’s Priorities for this year in serving the solicitors of NSW.

All four of my priorities place a deliberate and clear focus on the people the Law Society serves – you. I want to highlight the service you provide to the community over and above your day jobs, the support your practices need to meet regulatory hurdles, the tools you need to succeed, and your individual mental health and wellbeing.

As I said in my speech last Thursday, the fundamental underpinning of these President’s Priorities, is trust.

“Trust in Lawyers. In protecting their clients’ rights and interests. To abide by and uphold the rule of law. Trust in [solicitors] acting in accordance with the high standards and ethics of the legal profession. …
“With the largest percentage of practising lawyers in the country, we must continue to always work to build trust, to maintain it with clients, the community, and within the profession.”

It was an honour to witness the other important tradition of this event, the Opening of Law Term Address from the Chief Justice of NSW. I was grateful to also have an opportunity to personally thank Chief Justice Andrew Bell for his remarkable engagement with the solicitor profession and the Law Society during the Bicentennial year of the Supreme Court last year.

His Honour’s speeches are always engaging and thought provoking and this one did not disappoint.

I thank the many judicial officers and other important legal figures who attended the event, including Attorney General Michael Daley.

With NSW Parliament sittings resuming tomorrow, I’m sure the coming year will bring many opportunities for the Law Society to continue its role as a trusted advisor to government. We would be unable to fulfill this function without the valued input of the four hundred or so dedicated and expert lawyers who make up our policy, practice, segment and regulatory committees.

Last financial year, our policy committees provided around 200 submissions which ranged across local, state and national issues. These included aged care, diversion for young offenders, anti-discrimination and anti-vilification legislation, jury reform, coercive control, reforms to the building industry, rental laws, fair work legislation, legal assistance funding, family law, workers compensation, and a series of proposals for bail reform.

I am very much looking forward to getting down to the work of this year. I will be pursuing my priorities while standing on the collective shoulders of my predecessors as Presidents of the Law Society. I’m humbled to be joining these men and women whose efforts have contributed significantly to the delivery of justice and the maintenance of the rule of law in this state.

Jennifer Ball, President, Law Society of NSW