By Wendy Yang -
Against a dazzling backdrop of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, almost 300 guests attended the Law Society’s Annual Members Dinner and Awards Night held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney this evening.
Special guests including the President of the Court of Appeal of NSW, the Honourable Justice Julie Ward, Dominic Toomey SC, President of the NSW Bar Association, Juliana Warner President of the Law Council of Australia, Marissa Mackie, President of the Law Society of South Australia and Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, were in attendance at the black-tie event. Deborah Knight was the emcee for the evening.
Kenny Tickle, CEO of the Law Society of NSW, opened proceedings on the night. Looking around the room, he noted that one of the biggest changes has been the increase in the number of early career lawyers in attendance. He acknowledged the evolving makeup of the profession how it is “reflective of the change in the profession more broadly,” he said.
Tickle pointed out that 25 years ago, the same year that Sydney hosted the Olympic games, the makeup of the profession was different. “At the time, there were roughly 15,000 solicitors in New South Wales, of which less than a third were female and less than 10 per cent practised in corporate or in-house roles.
“Fast forward 25 years to today and over the next 12 months, the number of solicitors in New South Wales will likely surpass 45,000 …,” he said.
He spoke about the long history of the Law Society and told the audience that “as much as the profession has evolved and adapted to reflect the community it serves, so too must the Law Society evolve and adapt to serve the profession we represent.”
“We have a long and proud history of speaking on behalf of NSW solicitors, and now, more than ever, we need to look forward, not back, to ensure that we are providing the support and leadership that the profession needs to thrive and succeed,” he said.
2025 President of the Law Society of NSW, Jennifer Ball, thanked the solicitors present for their legal work this year. In her final address to the profession as President, Ball said she felt “privileged” to represent the profession this year and felt a “great sense of gratitude.”
Ball spoke about her four Presidential Priorities and acknowledged that one of her main focuses this year has been on celebrating the importance of solicitors’ service. She described how honouring solicitors’ contributions to their communities and hearing individual solicitors’ stories was a “great privilege” for her.
She also applauded the dedication of thousands of solicitors in NSW who provide community legal services and pro-bono legal services to those who need it, as well as the service of solicitors to the broader community. Ball told the audience she was inspired by the career of 93-year-old Harold Hason, featured in the July edition of the Law Society Journal, who contributed to his community in different ways throughout his almost seven decades in law.
Reflecting on the year, Ball acknowledged the importance of a strong legal culture. “This year has also reinforced for me how necessary our robust legal culture is, particularly given the challenges that are occurring globally. The rule of law is declining in an estimated 68 per cent of countries.
“The law balances chaos and order,” she said.
She acknowledged the role and the work of the legal profession in working to attain justice before the law. “The value that the legal profession in NSW adds to society, and the value of our work internationally, should never be underestimated,” she said.
In her speech, Ball also highlighted the importance of a continued focus on the wellbeing of solicitors and the role of the Law Society in supporting and serving its members through both opportunities and challenges.
Children’s lawyer and advocate awarded prestigious President’s Medal
Emma Mason, Independent Children’s Lawyer at Mason Mia & Associates, has been awarded the Law Society’s highest honour, the President’s Medal. The award recognises an individual who goes ‘above and beyond to uphold the core values of our profession.’
Ball commended Mason’s strength and determination following the tragic death of her 15-year-old daughter Matilda (‘Tilly’), who died by suicide following a campaign of targeted online abuse.
“There’s no finer example of the service that the solicitor profession provides to communities across NSW and the nation than Emma’s work, both in championing policy reform and in providing legal assistance to some of the most vulnerable people to come into contact with the justice system.
“Emma’s role as an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) requires that she represents the best interests of children who are impacted by immensely difficult and complex family law proceedings. To bear this heavy professional responsibility, while also advocating across Australia and the world for reforms aiming to protect children from online harm, speaks volumes about the personal and professional qualities that have resulted in this award,” said Ball.
Mason’s advocacy for social media reform has resulted in federal legislation and an invite to address world leaders at the United Nations this year.
“The recognition of solicitors’ service to their communities is the first of my President’s Priorities for this year, and I was privileged to present Emma with this well-deserved honour. I congratulate all solicitors honoured during this gala event that celebrates the best of the NSW legal profession.
“These awards recognise solicitors who are dedicated to upholding the finest traditions of the legal profession, across all sectors. I’m particularly pleased that many of the awardees, including the President’s Medallist, are working in regional areas that are commonly areas of unmet legal need,” said Ball.
And the award goes to …
- The 2025 President’s Medal winner: Emma Mason, Director, Mason Mia and Associates
- Government Solicitor of the Year Award: Luisa Sirianni, Transport for NSW
- In-house Corporate Counsel of the Year: Anthony de Govrik, Probus South Pacific
- Rural or Regional Practitioner of the Year: David Allen, Haille Paine Solicitors
- Early Career Lawyer of the Year Award: Jackson Cocks, Illawarra Retirement Trust
- Sole or Small Firm Practitioner of the Year Award: Timothy Cullenward, Peacockes Solicitors
Highly Commended: Leona Bennett; and Chun-Chi (Michael) Hung - Committee Member of the Year Award: Georgiena Ryan, Regional Business Lawyers
Highly Commended: Kirk McKenzie; Tim Concannon; and Leigh Davidson - Pro Bono Service Award: Leona Bennett, Southern Waters Legal
- Wellbeing Champion or Project of the Year: Kor Legal – Fatima El-Kordi
