Update to the Profession – 9 October 2024

This is my last update to the profession in my capacity as President of the Law Society of Tasmania for the 2023/2024 year.

  • On 7 October 2024, I met with Justice Neskovchin of the Federal Court of Australia in Launceston. I was very grateful to her Honour reaching out to me to enable her to introduce herself to me, and to have some discussions about current issues in the profession here in Tasmania. Justice Neskovchin will be attending and presenting at the Litigation Conference next month.
  • On 7 October 2024, the Executive Director, Mr Luke Rheinberger, and I attended our quarterly meeting with the Department of Justice.
  • There have been some encouraging comments arising from the recent estimates process with respect to the likelihood of the Federal Circuit and Family Court being provided with appropriate facilities in the new Burnie Court. The Law Society will keep the profession updated when further information is received.
  • On 11 October 2024, I will be attending the Society’s annual general meeting in Hobart and will be presenting my annual report. The report will set out the important work and contribution that the Law Society of Tasmania has made over the past year.
  • It has been an absolute honour and pleasure to undertake the role of President over the last 12 months. I have stated in the annual report that it is a role that I have enjoyed. It has given me a wonderful opportunity to work and engage with members of the Tasmanian Judiciary and legal profession, the Law Council of Australia, and other important key stakeholders.
  • My major focus and priority has been around attraction and retention of early career Lawyers, particularly focusing on the North and Northwest region. In Launceston this year, we welcomed 11 early career Lawyers. That is significant. I remain confident that my successors will continue to work and engage with the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Legal Practice Course as well as college students.
  • The two highlights of my presidency have been welcoming the five Justices including the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia to Hobart. This was significant given the High Court have not been to Tasmania since 2016. It is also significant given the Honourable Justice Beech-Jones has strong Tasmanian connections and has shown a significant willingness to engage with Tasmania. The other highlight of course was participation in the 200th year celebration of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. This is such a significant achievement for Tasmania.
  • I want to acknowledge and thank members of Council and our volunteer committee members.
  • I want to thank the partners and staff at Bishops who have supported me while I took on this role over the last 12 months particularly my admin team, Caren, Charli, and Emily.
  • I want to acknowledge the work and contribution of the staff at the Law Society of Tasmania.
  • Lastly, I specifically acknowledge and thank the Executive Director, Mr Luke Rheinberger, for his support, mentorship, and guidance that I received over the reporting year, along with the administrative support I have received from Ms Shelley Riseley.
  • I wish the incoming President and new Executive well and am confident that they will have a successful year.

Julia Higgins
PRESIDENT