Risks and challenges associated with WFH

Today finds the entire state subject to stay at home orders and those of us who live or work in the Greater Sydney region have been subject to stay at home orders for more than seven weeks now. We will not be returning to our offices anytime soon. While remote working is not a new phenomenon (especially for those living in rural areas), the pandemic has exacerbated many of the risks and challenges that can arise in the remote work environment. The Law Society’s In-House Corporate Lawyer Committee recently brought together a panel of experts to explore the “risky business” of working from home and an employer’s obligations. There are some practical examples provided in this session on how to keep the office team connected and productive in a remote working environment. If you missed it, you can access the session via our on demand portal.

Don’t forget, if you are finding this lockdown challenging or stressful, the Law Society’s Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS) provides simple and streamlined access to confidential counselling with a registered psychologist for NSW solicitors. Crisis counselling is also available for NSW solicitors in distress, with the service operational around the clock, 365 days a year. Phone 1800 592 296.

Just a reminder that the most up to date information on the courts and tribunals is included in today’s Monday Briefs as well as our regular “COVID-19 Update”, which you can subscribe to here.

Welcome to our new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

Congratulations to Sally Dowling SC who today officially begins her 10-year term as the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions. Ms Dowling has had a distinguished 25-year career in the law and brings a wealth of experience and legal expertise to the role. She is also the first woman to lead the independent agency, which employs more than 800 staff and prosecutes around 18,000 criminal matters a year. On behalf of all NSW solicitors, I welcome Ms Dowling’s appointment and wish her every success in her new role. Ms Dowling replaces Lloyd Babb SC who finished his 10-year term as DPP on 17 July 2021. My sincere thanks to Mr Babb for his dedication and leadership during his tenure and my best wishes for his future endeavours.

Head of Drug Court retires

Earlier this month, Senior Judge Roger Dive officially retired after more than 17 years leading the state’s specialist Drug Court, 32 years on the bench, and 50 years in the legal profession. Judge Dive’s long and varied career is an inspiration to all of us who have chosen to serve in the law. The NSW Attorney General described Judge Dive as having that rare combination of “humanity, humility and intelligence”. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Judge Dive for his enormous contribution to law and justice in our state and acknowledge the positive and lasting impact he has on the lives of many vulnerable people and their families. Unfortunately, the current lockdown forced the cancellation of the Bench’s much anticipated farewell for Judge Dive. However, our online LSJ has a wonderful article on Judge Dive, in which he reflects on his half century in the law. 

Finally, with HSC trials starting this week, please keep all the state’s year 12 students and their families in your thoughts during these particularly challenging exam circumstances.

In the meantime, stay safe and stay well.

Juliana Warner, President, the Law Society of NSW

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