It is always an honour to be called on to welcome practitioners as they embark on a new career as judicial officers. It’s even more rewarding when those appointed to these important roles come directly from our own community of solicitors.

Five of the seven magistrates appointed to the Local Court of NSW last week are in this category. Together they account for 87 years of solicitor membership of the Law Society of NSW. This represents a significant strengthening of the busiest court in Australia.

I congratulate solicitor members Simon Joyner, Margueritte Vassall, Lucas Swan, Paul Blunt and Tania Johnson. It is worth noting that the latter two appointees each hold Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law, and that every one of these excellent appointments will bring enormous expertise to Local Court bench.

Mr Joyner has served on the Law Society’s Criminal Law and Ethics Committees, while Lucas Swan, a First Nations man, has served on the Indigenous Issues Committee, and represented the Law Society on the Local Court’s Specialist Family Violence List working group.

I also extend congratulations to Kirk Dailly of Sixth Floor Windeyer Chambers, and former Registrar of the Coroners Court of NSW Ann Lambino for their appointments.

Not all lawyers are destined for judicial office, but for those who harbour a yearning to serve their community through a position on the bench, advocacy skills are essential. For early career lawyers, that can frequently start in the Local Court.

I’m very excited that for the first time since 2018, the NSW Young Lawyers Criminal Law Sub-Committee has arranged an unparallelled opportunity to develop in-court advocacy skills for early career lawyers.

The full day Confidence in the Courtroom Program will run on Saturday, 24 May at the Downing Centre Local & District Court. The program places early career lawyers in a real courtroom in front of Local Court Magistrates who’ll provide real-time feedback in a supportive environment.

This program, an example of my President’s Priority this year to deliver quality support for solicitors’ success, is ideal for criminal law practitioners, from those with little or no courtroom experience or advocacy training, to those looking to hone existing skills.

The 5.5 CPD unit program covers a range of common Local Court scenarios, including a mention, release application and sentence, along with an overview of Court etiquette delivered by Local Court Magistrates.

Whether you have a long-term goal to preside over a court or want to deliver the best advocacy you can for your clients, this program is ideal. You can read further information, and register for Confidence in the Courtroom here.

Jennifer Ball, President, Law Society of NSW