One of the most significant acts of a President of the Law Society beginning their term is the choice of a President’s Charity. For my term, I am proud to support the Justice and Equity Centre’s (JEC) Homeless Persons’ Legal Service.

Since its launch in 2004, the Service has, in the words of JEC’s Chief Executive Officer Jonathon Hunyor, ‘helped more than 15,000 people to live in a secure home, to clear debts and fines, and to escape domestic or family violence.’

During his speech at this month’s Opening of Law Term Dinner, Jonathon spoke of how legal issues ‘can be overwhelming and create barriers to securing and maintaining a safe home. By removing those barriers, we make a practical contribution to reducing homelessness.’

Jonathon explained that the service works with local legal centres, specialist homelessness services and government to develop responses that are lawful, fair and recognise the dignity of people who are doing it tough. I hope my support for this vital work will assist the JEC to continue delivering that practical contribution.

My choice of President’s Charity is deeply influenced by my mother and her generosity to those in need who visited my childhood home in the west of Ireland. She would offer a meal, a shower, or fresh clothes - small acts of dignity and humanity. As I mentioned in my own Opening of Law Term speech, ‘that we as a family were fortunate, then, was not lost on me.’

My first professional encounter with the work of the JEC’s Homeless Persons’ Legal Service was during my time as a senior associate at Minter Ellison, where members of my team volunteered their time with the Service.

It struck me then, and since, that it’s important that our profession never lose sight of the value of social justice, and that wherever possible we use our skills to help those less fortunate than we are. I applaud the many firms and practitioners who generously contribute their skills on a pro bono basis to aid this work.

If you would like to support the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service to continue its essential work, you can do so here.

A Chief Justice’s welcome to newly admitted Newcastle practitioners
The Law Society of NSW is again proud to join with the Newcastle Law Society to welcome new admittees to the profession, and celebrate the beginning of new legal careers, at a dinner coinciding with their admission ceremony.

As with our similar function in 2024, we are honoured that the Chief Justice of New South Wales, the Hon. Andrew Bell AC, will address the dinner, to be held on Thursday, 12 March, at the Ballroom at Rydges Newcastle. The next day, his Honour will preside at the admission ceremony at Harold Lobb Hall, in the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.

The event will be co-hosted by the President of the Newcastle Law Society James Bartly, and our Senior Vice President, Jacqueline Dawson. Find out more and book here.

Ronan MacSweeney, President, The Law Society of NSW