There are so many wonderful opportunities for future lawyers to be involved in the profession — to give something back to the community and form friendships that will help them in years to come. New South Wales Young Lawyers (NSWYL) helps provide these sorts of opportunities to young practitioners and students.

NSWYL is an association for young lawyers, established as a part of the Law Society of NSW to initiate and express fresh ideas and directions on legal and social issues for the benefit of the profession and the community.

NSWYL represents lawyers under 35 or in their first five years of practice and law students throughout New South Wales. Many law students don’t know they are automatically members of Young Lawyers, nor about the opportunities that are available to them by being an active participant in NSWYL’s committees.

NSWYL has a large number of active committees, which do fantastic work in a number of different areas of law; these include the environmental law committee, the human rights committee, the animal rights committee and the civil litigation committee.

These committees are as diverse as the work they do. They organise forums, make submissions to governments, provide material for continuing legal education seminars, and offer social events to NSWYL’s members and the profession at large. Getting involved in the work of these committees is easy. Simply go to the NSWYL website at www.younglawyer.com.au.

Or you can get involved by attending our premier social functions. Of note is the Young Lawyers Inter-professional Ball, to be held at the Hilton Hotel on 1 September this year. The ball was a fundraiser for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and has all the hallmarks of a great event, with a three course meal and entertainment provided. Events like these are a great opportunity for law students and lawyers to be to make some all-important contacts and get an insight into legal practice from a young practitioner’s perspective.

Kind regards,

Josephine Pignataro

Member, NSW Young Lawyers Executive Council