The July issue of the Law Society Journal features an engaging profile on three lawyers from across the age spectrum of our profession, with 91 years of post-qualification experience between them.

Harold Hanson is 93 years of age and has applied for his final practising certificate; Marie Russo completes her second year of practice in a fortnight; and Lorelle Longbottom, now a partner, is about to pass her 21st year in the profession.

Their story, An evolution in practice, is supported by published data illustrating the state of the profession, which can help firms, practitioners and regulators plan for that future.

The biennial 2024 National Profile of Solicitors and the 2024 Annual Profile of Solicitors in NSW were compiled by consulting firm Urbis from data provided by regulators across Australia, as of 31 October 2024. The NSW Profile also includes findings from the last Practising Certificate Survey.

Nationwide, there were 97,500 solicitors, including 41,304 in NSW. The national growth in the 10 years to 2024 was 47 per cent, showing eight percent growth in the previous two years.

Private practices employ almost two thirds (64 per cent) of Australia’s solicitors, across nearly 17,000 practices nationwide. More than 90 per cent of practices are run by fewer than five principals.

These smaller practices are among those most likely to be affected by the commencement, in a year and a day from now, of the new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime.

In concert with the Law Council of Australia, we are continuing to work with AUSTRAC to develop its AML/CTF Rules and guidance. The Law Society continues to update a suite of resources to assist practices to manage their AML/CTF obligations.

The raw number of solicitors practising in rural, regional and remote (RRR) areas across Australia grew by little more than 100 over the previous decade, the proportion falling from 12.5 per cent to 8.8 per cent of the profession. In NSW that number is a relatively stable 11 per cent, but there remain concerns regarding access to justice in RRR areas.

I’m heartened by the continuing commitment to pro bono work. Two fifths of respondents to last year’s Practising Certificate Survey reported an average of nine working days in the financial year of providing free legal services. Statewide, that totals almost 56,000 days.

This figure demonstrates why I made my first priority this year to highlight the work solicitors do for their communities, over and above their day-to-day work. As Harold Hanson told the Journal, each of us is “a member of a profession. There’s pride in that. You can provide assistance to support and improve the community.”

Jennifer Ball, President, Law Society of NSW