Almost seventy law graduates from Newcastle and the Hunter will become the state’s newest lawyers as they are admitted to the Supreme Court’s roll of practitioners at a ceremony today. 

President of the Law Society of NSW Brett McGrath will welcome the admittees at a celebration dinner this evening where he’ll reinforce the importance of lawyers being of service to their communities, both in practise and beyond.

“The paths available to these early career lawyers are diverse and challenging. As they take the first steps in their professional lives, they do so in the knowledge that the law is a calling which requires adherence to the highest ethical standards,” Mr McGrath said.

“This reflects the real role of lawyers in the community, rather than the often unflattering portrayals seen in fiction or television courtroom dramas. For my term as President of the Law Society this year, I have committed to elevating awareness of the service lawyers give their communities.”

The Admission of a lawyer to the Court enables them to apply to the Law Society of NSW for a Practising Certificate, the official document which entitles them to practise law, at first under conditions including being supervised by a senior lawyer. 

“The early career lawyers admitted today hold the future of the profession in their hands. They can be drivers of change in a profession that’s constantly evolving, and agents of social good as they find ways to avail the broader community of their talents as their careers progress.”

“The legal profession’s long held tradition of service to the community is manifested in many ways, whether through leadership roles in charities, representing the profession in bodies like the Law Society, or the thousands of hours of pro-bono work that goes unrecognised each year,” Mr McGrath said.

Mr McGrath and President of the Newcastle Law Society Gary Fox are tonight hosting many of those admitted today at a New Admittees Dinner, where they’ll hear a speech from the Chief Justice of NSW the Honourable Andrew Bell.

“This event recognises a significant achievement for those being admitted to practice in Newcastle today as well as an opportunity for them to engage with fellow practitioners from the region and mark the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court of NSW,” Mr McGrath said.

The Law Society is grateful to the Chief Justice for his commitment to providing a number of significant opportunities to solicitors to take part in events around the Supreme Court’s bicentenary throughout this year.