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History

NSW Young Lawyers first came into being in 1963 when it was established as a Committee of the Law Society of NSW.

The then Law Society President, Barry McDonald, was keen to involve young solicitors in the Law Society’s activities and encourage their involvement in the legal profession. He believed that a Young Lawyers Committee would have benefits for both the profession and the broader community.

The new committee saw the immediate need for greater communication between its members, establishing a number of initiatives aimed at creating new networks for young lawyers including sporting competitions and social events such as the Annual Law Term Opening Dinner.

During these early years, the Committee provided valuable input on a range of decisions the Law Society was called upon to make. By the mid to late seventies, the Young Lawyers Committee had become more active in professional and community issues, playing a significant role in a number of initiatives during this time, including:

• The establishment of community-based Legal Advice and Referral Centres. 
• The Government's proposals for reform of Mental Health Legislation. 
• Development of a scheme to provide immediate legal advice for victims of disasters (Disaster Assistance Scheme). 
• A conference of employers and solicitors to consider issues related to the employment prospects and conditions of solicitors (The Legal Labour Market). 
• Preparation of a major reports and working papers on issues including reciprocity, and requirements for the retention of legal documents and restrictions relating to advertising.
• Staging a regular programme of lunch-time CLE lectures. 
• Proposals and projects in relation to the provision of both legal information and career advice for high school students.

The Young Lawyers Committee continued to go from strength to strength and on December 18, 1980, the Law Society Council resolved to constitute a Young Lawyers Section, with its own Constitution, rules and by-laws.