The occasion marked the presentation of the inaugural president's medal to David Giddy for his "significant personal and professional contributions to the betterment of law and justice in the community by a NSW Solicitor and member of the Law Society of NSW".

Giddy is an accredited specialist in criminal law with a significant appellate practice - Giddy and Crittenden. He has been a member of the NSW Criminal Law Committee for 12 years, and is known for his commitment to committee submissions and his contributions to criminal law forums and panels.

In his presentation speech, Law Society president Joe Catanzariti related some of the comments of the judging panel which selected Giddy for the award.

"One nominator described this person as 'one of the hardest-working, experienced and visionary senior solicitors in criminal law, with a real love and commitment to the rule of law, and who never sought advantage or credit for his work'."

Another nominator commended the consultative skills, leadership, wealth of criminal law experience and input provided by Giddy to various submissions and policy positions.