PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Anyone with an interest in Australia’s role as a champion of global human rights and anti-corruption should attend the Law Society’s next Thought Leadership event: A Magnitsky Act for Australia - Human rights bombshell, or Frankenstein’s monster?

The Magnitsky Act represents a targeted sanctions regime for grave human rights violations or corruption under which individuals and companies are on the receiving end of economic sanctions rather than nation states. It has a disturbing backstory featuring murder, state power, tax avoidance and ‘fake news’.

We have a stellar line-up of speakers for the event on 5 August 2019:

• Emeritus Professor Graeme Gill, Director of Research Development, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney
• Pauline Wright, President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and former Law Society President
• Senator Kimberley Kitching, Senator for Victoria, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate and Shadow Assistant Minister for Government Accountability
• Jeremy Moller, Senior Advisor - Risk Advisory, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia. 

In other upcoming events, I am pleased to announce that the Honourable Bob Debus AM will be the guest speaker for The Bill Grant OAM Access to Justice Oration on 22 August 2019. The Oration is a fitting acknowledgement of the late Bill Grant’s lifelong dedication to defending the rule of law and fighting for access to justice within institutions such as Legal Aid NSW, the Attorney General’s Department and the Law Council of Australia. This evening brings together members of the profession to celebrate Bill’s incredible life, legacy, leadership and vision.

It is important that we acknowledge the dedication and commitment of members of the profession who make significant and personal contributions to the betterment of law and justice in our community.  This is why the Law Society established the annual President’s Medal, a decade ago, in 2009.  To be eligible, nominees will have made a personal and professional contribution which demonstrates achievements in one of more of the following areas:

• improvement in community access to justice
• improvement in NSW or national legal policy or legislation which delivers significant benefits to the NSW community
• significant service or support to NSW solicitors
• promotion or defence of the rule of law
• improvements in the administration of justice in NSW.

Nominations for the 2019 President’s Medal are now open. You can self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. Nominations should be emailed to President@lawsociety.com.au. The winner will be announced at the Annual Members Dinner on 24 October 2019 along with the winners of the 2019 Charter for the Advancement of Women Awards.

Elizabeth Espinosa, Law Society President

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