Born and educated in the Northern Territory, Mr Liveris has worked at the Perth office of the Commonwealth DPP, Office of the DPP in Western Australia and then at Clayton Utz in the Northern Territory. He joined the bar in 2010.

He served as a councillor of the Law Society of the Northern Territory, including as president, between 2014 and 2017, and has been a member of the Law Council executive since 2018.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr Liveris said that the incoming executive is “determined to make further inroads on issues such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration rates, the minimum age of criminal responsibility and constitutional recognition”.

“We will continue to focus on the health and wellbeing of all members of our profession; innovation and technology; and addressing unmet legal needs, particularly in rural, regional and remote Australia,” he posited.

The rest of the 2022 executives are Luke Murphy (president-elect), Greg McIntyre SC (treasurer), Juliana Warner, Elizabeth Carroll and Elizabeth Shearer (executive members).

Outgoing president Dr Jacoba Brasch QC said that it has been a privilege and an honour to lead the national profession during the challenges of 2021.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Australians in many ways. It has created new legal issues and needs, while at the same time changing how legal services are provided. I am extremely proud of how our profession has come together to preserve and promote access to justice for all during this time,” Dr Brasch said.

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“The Law Council of Australia’s ongoing commitment, particularly in terms of speaking up for the most vulnerable members of our community, has helped protect Australians and their access to justice.

“I am also proud of our advocacy for national security laws that balance actions taken for the common good versus the individual. Our contributions have centred on assessing and ensuring measures are proportionate to demonstrable risk.

“Another highlight has been our rural, regional and remote work and the tireless efforts of the council’s executive and secretariat in defence of the legal profession, particularly our strident opposition to legislation and regulation that impinges upon clients’ fundamental rights to confidential privileged communications with their lawyers.”

Speaking about Mr Liveris and the 2022 executive, Dr Brasch said that they are “passionately committed” to building on the work of their predecessors.

“Tass is a highly experienced barrister who has vigorously represented our profession for many years as both the president of Law Society Northern Territory and a director and treasurer of the Law Council,” she said.

“I have been fortunate to have the support of many people during my presidency. I would like to thank the Law Council executive and secretariat and every member of the profession who has given generously of their time and expertise to help us tackle some of the most important issues facing us as a society,” she said.

Mr Liveris said Dr Brasch has been an “exceptional” president whose leadership was defined by her dedication to advancing the public good and the interests of the profession.

“We are grateful to Dr Brasch for her commitment, vision and leadership in 2021. Dr Brasch has achieved significant gains in many important areas this year, despite the ongoing challenges brought about by the pandemic, and the Law Council will continue to build on this momentum,” he said.