The Illawarra’s longest serving solicitor has revealed his secrets for enduring success before a gathering of the region’s high school students exploring the many possibilities of a legal career.

President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball has paid tribute to Harold Hanson AM, whose legal career has stretched to almost seven decades, almost wholly within in the South Coast and Wollongong. 

“Harold Hanson’s life and work is an example, not only to the students we met at today’s Young Justice event at the University of Wollongong (UOW), but to anyone considering a career in the law, and indeed to practising solicitors,” Ms Ball said.

“Mr Hanson is a living demonstration of the central role lawyers have in reinforcing the public’s confidence in the rule of law, and also as leaders in their communities. The dedication of lawyers like Mr Hanson is why I committed to highlighting solicitors’ service to their communities as one of my President’s Priorities for 2025.”

Harold Hanson has built a still-thriving legal practice in Wollongong, after starting out as a bookkeeper for a Bega-based law firm. He became an articled clerk and was admitted as a solicitor in 1957. President of the Wollongong and District Law Society Elisa Shain says Mr Hanson has left an indelible mark on his community.

“Along with establishing one of Wollongong’s most prominent law firms, Mr Hanson has served as a Wollongong City Council Alderman, founded the Wollongong Art Gallery, helped forge the region’s reputation as a tourist destination, and was instrumental in the establishment of Wollongong’s landmark Nan Tien Temple,” Ms Shain said.

“Throughout his career, Mr Hanson would have helped many thousands of the region’s residents through important life chapters like purchasing a house, assisting with their business affairs, and settling their estates for the next generation. I’m grateful he has shared his wisdom with secondary students from the Illawarra and beyond.”

To recognise Mr Hanson’s contributions to the law, Ms Ball and Ms Shain presented him with a recognition award. Mr Hanson, now aged 93 and a life member of the Law Society, intends his Practising Certificate for 2025-26 to be his last before his retirement from the legal profession.

Mr Hanson has identified the importance of local knowledge, detailed preparation, and earning the trust of clients and fellow solicitors.

“Clients repose a great deal of trust in their solicitor. We are duty bound, as a profession, to ensure that trust is honoured through delivering the level of professional expertise the client expects. Detailed and precise preparation is crucial, particularly in advance of an appearance in court before sometimes exacting judges,” Mr Hanson said.

The Law Society of NSW hosted the Young Justice event at the UOW’s Innovation Campus today to foster secondary students’ legal awareness and encourage them to consider a career in the law. 

Harold Hanson AM – Brief biographical details