This week marks one of the most significant periods of the year for the Law Society of NSW, with the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday. It follows the regular gathering of Regional Law Society Presidents from across the state, and precedes Friday’s Rural Issues Conference.

This will be the third and final event in our 2025 series of segment conferences, following the strong engagement and positive feedback from both the In-House Lawyers and Government Solicitors Conferences held last month.

I want to thank all members attending these events. I also acknowledge the efforts of the respective segment committees and our Membership, Professional Development and Events teams in curating quality CPD content and valuable networking opportunities.

If you practise in a rural, regional or remote (RRR) area, or are interested in legal issues affecting that sector, there’s still time to register for the Rural Issues Conference here.

With AUSTRAC’s AML-CTF Core Guidance released last week and the Rules already published, our Head of Regulatory Policy and Strategy, Bobbie Wan, will lead a panel that includes a representative from AUSTRAC to discuss this issue that is of pressing importance to many of our members.

I’m particularly pleased that the Conference will feature a session on Talent acquisition and retention for RRR law firms, led by Legal Aid’s Associate Director, Crime (West, South) Steven Wright, former President of the Far West Regional Law Society. I also look forward to updating attendees on the recently launched Careers in the Country rural jobs board in my opening remarks.

This week’s activity is a clear example of the Law Society of NSW at work, driven by dedicated staff and guided by the oversight of our elected Council.

Since joining the Council in 2019, I have been privileged to play a part in guiding this work, including as a Chair of the Professional Conduct and Audit, Risk and Finance Committees, and as a member of the Litigation Law and Practice Committee. Serving as President this year has been the greatest honour of my career.

That’s why I’m encouraging members who haven’t yet voted in the election for Council members to do so today.

Your vote helps shape the direction of our organisation and the work we do on behalf of the profession. Members who have not yet voted received a reminder “Invitation to Vote” and unique voting link last Thursday, 16 October. Information about the candidates can be found here.

Polls close at 2 p.m. (AEDT) today and the results will be announced at the conclusion of the AGM this Thursday afternoon.

Jennifer Ball, President, The Law Society of NSW