Member Services

Below are some of the key services that the Law Society of Western Australia provides to members:

 

Voice of the Legal Profession in WA

• Representation: The Society is a constituent member of the Law Council of Australia which makes representations on national and international legal issues.
• Media: As the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia, the Society provides media representation on a wide range of issues including government legislation, the rule of law, community law education and more.
• Committees: Established by volunteer members of the Society, more than 40 active Committees cover a range of substantive law and generic areas of interest. Amongst their many endeavours, the committees make submissions on matters affecting the profession and on legal issues of consequence to the community.

Network with the Profession

• Events: Providing opportunities for members to build a network of contacts within and outside the legal profession, the Society organises a variety of special interest, social and sporting events throughout the year.
• YLC: The Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) is responsible for a wide range of initiatives, including professional development, specialised advocacy skills, articled clerk interests, mentoring, community work, plus social and sporting events.

Keep Informed

• Publications: Members are the first to know about the latest developments in the profession with exclusive access to a range of Society publications. Receive current professional, educational, social and lifestyle information through our monthly journal Brief, weekly e-newsletter Friday Facts and email alerts. Another great source of essential information is the annual Legal Diary and Directory,with information on metropolitan and country legal practices, courts, tribunals and other related organisations and agencies.
• Members-Only Information: Login to the ‘members-only’ sections of our website to be granted access to regularly updated legal and professional resources, member privileges, current projects, Council minutes and general information.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Seminars: The Society presents a wide range of CPD learning through face-to-face seminars, online learning delivery and specialist workshops and courses. View the upcoming seminarsto take advantage of special member pricing on all Society CPD learning events.

Careers in Law

• Locum Register: Assisting members throughout their careers, the Society Locum Register supports practitioners seeking locum work.
• LawCare: Members also have access to a confidential counselling service, LawCare (WA), designed to assist legal practitioners who are facing professional and personal challenges.

Supporting the Community

• Pro Bono Referral Scheme: Give back to the community by registering interest to be involved in the Law Access Pro Bono Referral Scheme.
• Referral Database: The Society has a legal referral database service available to community members seeking a legal practitioner in a particular area of law.
• Law Museum: Among the very few facilities of its kind in Australia, the Francis Burt Law Education Centre and Museum provides an accessible legal education facility to schools and the general community.
• Law Week: Coordinated by the Society, Law Week is an annual program of events which aims to provide the community with a greater understanding and awareness of the work of the legal profession, the law and our legal system.

Supporting the Profession

• Mentoring: Helping to connect young lawyers with senior and skilled practitioners, the Society Mentoring Program encourages senior lawyers to impart their wisdom on some of the fresh faces in the profession.
• QPS: In order to enhance modern management practices for legal firms, the Society developed the Quality Practice Standards (QPS). Firms certified to the Society’s Quality Practice Standard are entitled to use the Approved Quality Practice logo on stationery and promotional material.
• Law Mutual: Law Mutual (WA) ensures members’ compulsory Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements under the provisions of the Legal Profession Act 2008 are met.

• Reciprocal Services: The Society has a reciprocal service agreement in place with other law societies across Australia, allowing members of various state law societies, including Western Australia, to use facilities and benefits across borders.