Barrister and highly respected legal figure, Rebecca O’Brien, has been appointed Chair of the College of Law Western Australia (COLWA) Chapter Board.

The College of Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Sharon Mascher as an independent non-executive Governor on the Board of Governors.

Internationally experienced executive and consultant, Alison Laird, will lead the College of Law’s Centre for Legal Innovation and organisation-wide AI strategy in her role as Director of Innovation.

The Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to modernise and improve Australia's family law system, focusing on the key areas of property division and family violence. According to Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC, these reforms are intended “to make the division of property and finances safer, simpler, and fairer for separating families, especially where family violence is present.

On Monday 15 August 2016, Kay Smith, one of The College of Law’s longest serving and most respected people died after a short illness.

Kay’s legal career began when she gained her qualification in Law through the NSW Legal Practitioners Admission Board. Kay then obtained a position as an articled clerk with a city firm at a time when there were very few openings for women in the legal profession. She was admitted as a solicitor and established a legal career. She moved from private practice to the College of Law in 1983 – the start of a 30 year career at the College.

In this practice update, we will explore recent judicial guidance from Jurak v Latham [2023] NSWSC 1318 regarding Notices of Claim and the role they play in family provision proceedings. Here to guide us through the case is Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel and Accredited Specialist (Wills & Estates). 

With over 875 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has become an indispensable platform for professionals. For lawyers, it's swiftly becoming an essential tool to network, grow a strong professional profile, and generate business. But how do you set yourself apart? In this article we catch up with College of Law National Career Strategists Susan Pincus and Ruth Beran to better understand the benefits of LinkedIn for lawyers.

A recent case before the New South Wales Court of Appeal, Gan v Xie [2023] NSWCA 163, resurfaced issues regarding direct speech, and how it ought to appear in an affidavit. Barrister Jonathan Tsang, a College of Law graduate, spoke to us about the key implications following this decision, and what lawyers need to know moving forward.

While divorce and separation are difficult for any child, for children with neurodivergent needs, these transitions can present their own set of challenges. The College sat down with Kathryn Schuck, Principal of Inclusive Family Law and Mediation, to delve into effective strategies family lawyers can employ to advocate for these children and navigate the complexities of custody agreements.

Family law matters are deeply personal and may be emotionally charged. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, these challenges can be compounded by cultural considerations and historical disadvantage.