Eligible members who have provided the Law Society with their email address should have today received a notice formally announcing the commencement of the process for the annual election of Law Society Councillors.

The Law Society Council governs the Law Society, in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and the Corporations Act 2001. Our Council guides the objectives and policies of the Law Society, monitors its performance, and delegates its authority over various matters to a network of Committees. Our Councillors represent a cross-section of both the profession and the community and are ideally placed to consider the issues and pressures solicitors face, to identify opportunities to strengthen the profession, and help our members adapt to the changing demands of practice.

I would strongly urge all Law Society members entitled to vote in the upcoming election to do so, and have a say in both guiding the Law Society and shaping the future of our profession. There are seven vacancies to be filled in the upcoming election and all members entitled to vote are eligible to stand for election. Further details regarding nominations are set out in the Notice of Forthcoming Election. Given the impact that pandemic restrictions have had on the Australian postal service, I would also encourage members to cast their vote online, rather than rely on the traditional paper vote. The ballot will close at 2.00pm on Monday 19 October 2020.

Nominations are also open for the Law Society of NSW President's Medal, an annual award recognising a NSW solicitor member who has made a significant personal and professional contribution to the improvement of law and justice in the community. If you know of such a solicitor, I urge you to take the time to nominate him or her for the 2020 President’s Medal. Nominations close on Friday 25 September 2020.

On a final note, we are continuing to receive outstanding feedback about the Law Society’s weekly home delivery meal service, Dining Room Delivers. The Dining Room Delivers concept was developed earlier this year during the height of the lockdown, when all restaurants, including our Phillip Street Dining Room, were closed for in-house dining. The hampers are packed with restaurant-quality meals and pantry items prepared by our Dining Room chef and are delivered straight to your door (Sydney metropolitan area only) by 5pm each Friday. With a new menu released each Tuesday and a choice of two hampers, they have certainly become a Friday night favourite in our house. Importantly, every Dining Room hamper purchased enables Foodbank NSW & ACT, the President’s Charity for 2020, to provide a food hamper to a family in need. I thank members for their ongoing support of Foodbank, particularly at a time when so many families are struggling to put food on the table.

Richard Harvey, President, Law Society of NSW

<Go back