It was wonderful to see members of the state’s legal profession and judiciary recognised in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours, including the former President of the Law Society of NSW, John Eades. Mr Eades, who served as President in 2015, was awarded an AM in recognition of his significant service to the law, to professional standards, and to the community. He is currently president of the Riverina Law Society, a position he has held since 1997. Other solicitors on the honours list who have been recognised for their service to the law and community include Robin Speed, co-founder of the Rule of Law Institute, and Elizabeth Morley, former principal solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre and community legal service advocate, who were both honoured with an OAM and leading intellectual property practitioner, Peter Banki, who received an AM. District Court Judge Christopher O'Brien who is a life member, former committee member and President of the St George / Sutherland Regional Law Society was also awarded an AM.

I congratulate all those who were honoured with Orders of Australia Medals, especially those who have given distinguished service to the law and community.

I was also delighted to learn that Natasha Stott Despoja, Chair of national charity Our Watch, has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to the global community as an advocate for gender equality, and through roles in a range of organisations, including Our Watch.

Our Watch, which stands for Our Women and their Children, is a national charity dedicated to ending violence against women and children in Australia and the organisation that I have nominated as the President’s Charity for 2019. The Law Society of NSW has staged quite a few events already this year to raise funds for Our Watch and supports them in their work to change the story about domestic and family violence.

The Law Society’s Just Art visual arts competition is one such event. This competition is open to all artists affiliated with the legal profession, including judicial members, lawyers and law students. Artwork can be in any form, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking or photography, and must be based on the theme of “Justice”.

Just Art, which is now in its third year, was born from a desire to give members of the legal profession a chance to express their creative side and display their artistic passion to the community. Finalists’ artworks will be on sale at the Just Art Exhibition in August with all proceeds going to Our Watch.

Entries close on 30 June 2019 so there’s still time to get creative and support a great cause.

Elizabeth Espinosa, Law Society President

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