David Giddy wins inaugural President's Medal

3 August 2009

The Law Society of NSW congratulates criminal law solicitor David Giddy on being the recipient of the Society's inaugural President's Medal.

The medal, presented at the Law Society's 125th Anniversary Dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on 31 July, recognises significant personal and professional contribution to the betterment of law and justice in the community by a NSW solicitor and member of the Law Society of NSW.

Introducing Mr Giddy, Law Society President Joe Catanzariti praised his personal and intellectual contribution to facilitating the promotion of the defense of the rule of law.

Catanzariti said that the selection panel for the medal described Giddy as "one of the hardest working, experienced and visionary senior solicitors in criminal law, with a real love and commitment to the rule of law, and who never sought advantage or credit for work" and noted his "consultative skills, leadership, wealth of criminal law experience and input... to various submissions and policy positions."

A private practitioner with David Giddy and Associates, Giddy is an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. He started practising in 1978 in Ballina, and has served on the Law Society's Criminal Law Committee for 12 years, where his wealth of experience, commitment and effort greatly assisted in the drafting of submissions and policy positions.

In his acceptance speech, Giddy praised his peers over the years for their "generosity of spirit...and capacity to give back more than they took", and encouraged young lawyers starting in the profession to continue in this tradition.

President Joe Catanzariti thanked all nominees and nominators for their submissions.