Specialist Accreditation - recognised expertise
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE | 23 February 2026
It is sometimes said that doing something often enough for long enough makes you an expert, at least in that particular ‘something’. It’s a little more nuanced than that when it comes to the law. Regardless of our area of practice, each matter that a client brings to us has its own unique set of facts, and its own answer.
As our careers grow, so too does our ability to distil those facts and provide the tailored advice our clients need. Ability becomes expertise and word of mouth helps build reputation.
The Law Society of NSW’s Specialist Accreditation Program provides a recognised path to cement that reputation in your chosen area of law. Law Society members qualify to apply for the Specialist Accreditation Program if they hold a current practising certificate, have practiced for five years full-time (or equivalent) and have, for each of the previous three years, devoted at least 25 percent of their full-time practice to the area of law for which they’re seeking accreditation.
Last week, our Specialist Accreditation team hosted a series of Q&A sessions across the eight areas of law to be offered in this year’s program. They are:
- Children’s Law;
- Dispute Resolution;
- Employment & Industrial Law;
- Family Law;
- Immigration Law;
- Personal Injury Law;
- Planning & Environment; and, for the first time,
- Elder Law.
I’m especially excited about our new offering of Elder Law, which Senior Vice President Jacqueline Dawson announced at the 2024 Specialist Accreditation Conference. It is the first new area of Specialist Accreditation since 2009. As the only program of its type in Australia, I’m confident it will help build a pool of Elder Law experts for older Australians and those who care for them to draw upon when needed.
If you’re considering Specialist Accreditation in any of these areas, but missed the Q&A sessions, they will be available on the Specialist Accreditation website within the next fortnight. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to contact the Specialist Accreditation team at [email protected] with any questions you may have. With applications for this year’s Program closing on 31 March, there’s still time to apply, but please note Early Bird pricing ends on 28 February. Apply today.
A refreshed look, a valued tradition
Starting tomorrow, you may start to notice a subtle difference in our branding, including our logo. The well-recognised ‘Law Society Orange’ is retained in the refreshed design, as is our motto Omnium Jura Defendimus - Defending the rights of all. The change is designed to bring greater clarity and better conforms with modern legibility standards. This change will be progressively rolled out across all our communication channels.
Ronan MacSweeney, President, The Law Society of NSW
If you’re considering Specialist Accreditation in any of these areas, but missed the Q&A sessions, they will be available on the Specialist Accreditation website within the next fortnight. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to contact the Specialist Accreditation team at [email protected] with any questions you may have. With applications for this year’s Program closing on 31 March, there’s still time to apply, but please note Early Bird pricing ends on 28 February. Apply today.
A refreshed look, a valued tradition
Starting tomorrow, you may start to notice a subtle difference in our branding, including our logo. The well-recognised ‘Law Society Orange’ is retained in the refreshed design, as is our motto Omnium Jura Defendimus - Defending the rights of all. The change is designed to bring greater clarity and better conforms with modern legibility standards. This change will be progressively rolled out across all our communication channels.
Ronan MacSweeney, President, The Law Society of NSW
