I’m constantly impressed with the stellar quality of presenters and panellists the Law Society of NSW attracts to its CPD and Conference events. There are two clear examples this month, which highlight my President’s Priority of Delivering high quality career support and guidance to the profession.

On Thursday this week, our annual ADR Committee CPD and networking event provides an opportunity to hear a discussion about the benefits of ADR as a ‘first resort’. The conversation will be led by our Immediate Past President Brett McGrath, himself a highly accomplished mediator, and Head of Marsdens Law Group’s Family Dispute Resolution Department.

One of the panel members could rightly be described as a judicial legend; The Hon. Patricia Bergin AO SC, who was described by former Chief Justice The Hon. Tom Bathurst AC KC as ‘courteous but firm’ during her term as a Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW, including as Chief Judge in Equity and additional Judge of Appeal.

Ms Bergin, who is now a part of 9 Selborne Chambers, will be joined by Ron Finlay AM, who has been a member of over 20 Dispute Avoidance Boards in the infrastructure industry, and is presently the Chair of Australian Naval Infrastructure. The panel will also feature two mediators of exceptional experience, Shirli Kirschner of Resolve Advisors and Michael Mills of Solve Resolve.

I congratulate the ADR Committee and our Professional Development team for putting together this wonderful learning and networking opportunity. If you’d like to join this in-person conversation you can register here.

The Law Society continues to champion ADR as a first resort, supporting high standards in mediation practice through our Lawyer Mediator Accreditation Scheme (LMA Scheme). The LMA Scheme requires comprehensive mediation training and ongoing professional development to ensure accredited mediators maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge. Solicitor members who have recently completed approved mediation training, or are currently accredited mediators, are encouraged to apply under the LMA Scheme.

The second event I’d like to highlight is next Wednesday’s In conversation with ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke, concentrating on the Mandatory Climate Reporting regime.

Australia’s largest emitters and corporations became subject to the regime from 1 January this year, with smaller organisations to be phased in over the next two years. ASIC Chair Joe Longo has described these new obligations as “the biggest change to corporate reporting in a generation”.

This session follows up the Law Society’s September update to our Climate Change Guidance, with a refreshed Corporate Law section, which discusses the new reporting regime. As these obligations are likely to affect entities not yet captured by the regime, the interview with Commissioner O’Rourke will be relevant to solicitors across a wide range of commercial practice areas.

Commissioner O’Rourke, whose ASIC portfolio includes climate reporting, brings significant expertise in market conduct regulation, including with the Commonwealth Treasury. This session, facilitated by Climate Change Working Group Co-Chairs Tim Stutt and Mark Smyth of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, is an ideal opportunity to build your climate change regulation literacy.

Places for this event at the Law Society’s offices at 170 Phillip Street on Wednesday 26 November are strictly limited. You can register here.

Jennifer Ball, President, The Law Society of NSW