The incoming president has served as a director of LIV since June 2021 and previously served as LIV’s deputy president.

He is admitted to practice in both Victoria and Hong Kong and has over two decades of experience as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, the institute said in a statement, with experience in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, private equity, venture capital, restructures, workouts and advising on corporations and securities laws.

Speaking about his new role, Mr Hibbins said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been elected by the board as president of the LIV. The institute is a venerable institution with a long and distinguished history, and we are focused on ensuring its relevance in the 2020s to our members, profession, and community.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow board members, CEO and staff to advocating for and representing the LIV’s 18,600-plus members, and fulfilling the LIV’s vision of a community served by an ethical and trusted legal profession that defends the rule of law, safeguards the administration of justice and strives for access to justice for all.

“I thank former president Tania Wolff for her service and dedication to the LIV through her historic three years as president.

“She has maintained a resolute focus on advocating to promote the highest standards of ethical and legal practice, education and service excellence in the practice and administration of law to ensure the community benefits from strong legal representation, effective advocacy and a fair and equitable legal and justice system.”

LIV chief executive Adam Awty also expressed thanks to Ms Wolff, noting that she had “steered the LIV and the legal profession through the difficult days of the pandemic, significant cultural shifts, and a period of rapid technological change”.

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“She has been an extraordinary leader of the profession and the Institute, and her advocacy for legal justice reform has had a direct impact for the better on many in our community,” Mr Awty noted.

Ms Wolff added: “I congratulate Matthew Hibbins on his appointment and wish him all the very best in his new role. I am confident that the LIV is in very good hands and have no doubt that our members and the community will benefit from his skill and leadership during his term.”

The full board of the LIV now comprises Mr Hibbins, Mr Ballantyne, Ms Gibbs, Molina Asthana, Robin Buckham, Simon Hann, Lena Hung, Rodd Levy, Michael Liu, Juliana Smith (regional legal practitioner), Kathy Wilson (suburban legal practitioner), and Ms Wolff.

The new president and two deputy presidents will serve until November 2024.