In my first month back as President I have been energised to get back to the business of advocating for lawyers and the legal profession in Aotearoa.

One of my first jobs was to welcome the Government’s indication that it will be reviewing the legal aid scheme.

The Law Society very much welcomes this announcement and looks forward to participating in this review – it is long overdue. The Commissioner of Legal Aid has worked hard to make improvements where possible within current parameters, but a broader review is required.

Let’s be under no illusion, the legal aid system is on its last legs. There are insufficient providers in some areas of the country, remuneration for lawyers remains an issue, and the nature of the cases is changing. We have also seen issues arising in legal aid systems across the globe. It is appropriate to take stock and identify how we ensure the sustainability of this critical service into the future. Each area of legal aid – civil, family and criminal – requires careful consideration.

Fundamentally, this cannot be a cost-cutting exercise – we would not want to see the range of eligible proceedings reduced, or eligibility thresholds reduced – they are already very low.

Boiled down, we want a well-functioning and trusted justice system.This is important for everyone: defendants, victims, families, individuals facing legal issues across a broad range of areas and society more generally. We want a sustainable and fair legal aid system, which ensures that those who need a lawyer can access one, and that lawyers are appropriately remunerated.

Legal aid isn’t the only thing the Law Society has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to advocate on, and I would like to personally thank the Vice PresidentsAtaga’i Esera,Jesse Savage, David Campbell and Taryn Gudmanz who stood in for me to continue our good work.

It may feel like a while ago now, but a year ago, the Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch and I were getting ready for a nationwide roadshow of hui to lay out how the Law Society’s paid membership model would work and detailing just how our offering to lawyers of support would be strengthened.

While we are pleased that this has been successful, there is still more work to be done. We have maintained a strong national presence while also upping our local education and engagement. We have retained all the great services we offered previously but are also finding new ways to engage with lawyers on the ground. We are still advocating to improve safety in our courthouses, hosting events that foster collegiality and cover topics most relevant to the profession. We are spending more time helping and supporting our New Lawyers, Sole Practitioners and our members in the regions, and support for mental health has continued.

In terms of Mental Health, the Law Society was delighted to partner with Life Squared Trust, a charity focused on lawyers’ mental health, and to hold an event at Parliament in early March to foster a kōrero amongst the legal profession about the role of employers in supporting mental health in a challenging and demanding profession.

The event was hosted by Minister for Mental Health Hon. Matt Doocey and Life Squared Trust, in association with the Law Society. I attended the event with Law Society Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch, who took part in a panel discussion about improving mental health in New Zealand’s legal profession.

In addition to discussing the challenges, the event highlighted the work already underway and shared examples of successful outcomes. We need to speak about and do more for mental health.

In this edition of LawTalk, as well as an update on what’s happening in the membership space, we’ll also be outlining the advocacy taking place in Law Reform.

Law reform and advocacy are an important part of the Law Society’s work, ensuring the legal profession’s voice is heard on key legislative changes. In this issue, we provide an update on recent submissions, from the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill to the Mental Health Bill, and we highlight the first in a new series of ‘Advocacy in Action’ webinars. With further consultations on AML/CFT reform and digital case management for courts, the coming months will be just as busy.

As we step into 2025, the legal profession finds itself at a crossroads facing significant legislative changes, increasing workloads, and a rapidly evolving practice landscape. Across all areas of law, from family and employment to environmental and criminal practice, there is a shared sense of challenge but also determination.

Lawyers are navigating reform fatigue, shifting regulatory frameworks, and growing pressures on access to justice, all while striving to deliver fair and lasting outcomes for their clients. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, there is a resilient optimism. Practitioners continue to adapt, problem-solve, and support both their clients and each other. To showcase this, in this edition of LawTalk we’ll hear from six leaders of the profession and understand more about their priorities for the rest of 2025.

Also, in this LawTalk, is a piece on Elder Law. This article will explore the growing importance of Elder Law in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on enduring powers of attorney (EPAs) and other legal issues affecting older New Zealanders. The article is centered around the upcoming CLE Elder Law Conference in May 2025, using insights from legal experts to explain why this field is becoming increasingly relevant across multiple practice areas, including property, estate planning, and family law.

With attendance numbers up at events and CLE sessions, our delivery of services continues in a cohesive fashion right across our sections, branches, and of course our regulatory work. I for one am proud to be a part of the Law Society as it moves forward.

I hope you enjoy this edition of LawTalk and are having a safe and prosperous first half of the year.