Past Presidents

Past Presidents

The Law Society of Western Australia’s past Presidents include some of Western Australia’s best legal minds. The list includes current and former judges, Chief Justices, a former Premier and Attorneys General, a Governor and managing partners.

Presidency of the Society has sometimes been the culmination of a long career but more often presaged later advancement.

A number of past Presidents have received honours including a knighthood or an Australian honour with two Companions (AC), four Orders (AO) and three Members (AM).

A number founded well-known law firms and others were distinguished solicitors.

Past Presidents

2023

Ante Golem

About:  Admitted WA 2004;
Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills

Past Presidents

2022

Rebecca Lee

About:  Admitted WA 1994;
Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers

Past Presidents

2021

Jocelyne Boujos

About:  Admitted WA 1990;
Principal, Boujos Legal

Past Presidents

2020

Nicholas van Hatten

About:  Admitted WA 2009;
barrister, Francis Burt Chambers

Past Presidents

2019

Greg McIntyre SC

About:  Admitted WA 1976;
barrister, Michael Kirby Chambers

Past Presidents

2018

Hayley Maree Corman

About:  Admitted WA 2007;
barrister, Quayside Chambers

Past Presidents

2017

Alain Jonathan Musikanth SC

About:  Admitted WA 2022;
Senior Counsel, Francis Burt Chambers

Past Presidents

2015-2016

Elizabeth Cecily Jane Needham

About:  Admitted WA 1995;
barrister, Francis Burt Chambers

Past Presidents 2015 - 1927

  • 2015
    Matthew James Keogh
  • 2014
    Konrad Jacques Mony de Kerloy
  • 2013
    Craig Marshall Slater
  • 2012
    Dr Christopher Nigel William Kendall
  • 2010 – 2012
    Hylton Colin Quail
  • 2008 – 2009
    Dudley Randolph Stow
  • 2006 – 2007
    Cav Maria Grazia Saraceni
  • 2006
    Wayne Stewart Martin KC
  • 2005
    Celia Alison Searle
  • 2004
    Ian Weldon
  • 2003
    Elizabeth Jean Heenan
  • 2002
    Clare Helen Thompson
  • 2001
    Kenneth James Martin KC
  • 2000
    Gregory Robert Boyle
  • 1999
    John Robert Broderick Ley
  • 1998
    Catherine Joan (Kate) O’Brien
  • 1997
    John George Syminton
  • 1995 – 1996
    Judith Elsa (Judy) Eckert
  • 1995
    Pino Anthony Monaco
  • 1994
    Michael John McPhee
  • 1993
    Theodore Henry (Ted) Sharp
  • 1992
    Richard Anthony Clarke (Rick) Cullen
  • 1991
    John Anthony Chaney
  • 1989 – 1990
    Rene Lucien Le Miere
  • 1988
    Michael John Murray KC
  • 1986 – 1987
    Robert John Meadows
    (1941 – 2022)
  • 1985
    Henry Hall (Hal) Jackson
  • 1984
    Daryl Robert Williams KC
  • 1983
    Ian Douglas Temby KC
  • 1982
    Rory Edward Stanley Argyle
  • 1979 – 1981
    Geoffrey Peter Miller KC
    (1942 – 2019)
  • 1977 – 1979
    Alan Eric Blanckensee
    (1926 – 2017)
  • 1975 – 1977
    Terence Alan Walsh
  • 1973 – 1975
    Barry William Rowland KC
  • 1972 – 1973
    John Leslie Toohey KC
    (1930 – 2015)
  • 1970 – 1972
    Peter Frederick Brinsden KC
    (1922 – 2002)
  • 1968 – 1970
    Alkin Robert Alexander (Bob) Wallace
    (1924 – 2011)
  • 1966 – 1968
    John Samuel Charles Dewar
    (1911 – 1969)
  • 1966
    Gresley Drummond Clarkson KC
    (1916 – 2005)
  • 1964 – 1966
    John Martin Lavan
    (1911 – 2006)
  • 1962 – 1964
    Phillip Rennell Adams
    (1908 – 1994)
  • 1960 – 1962
    Francis Theodore Page (Red) Burt
    (1918 – 2004)
  • 1958 – 1960
    Howard Vincent Reilly
    (1905 – 1973)
  • 1956 – 1958
    George Dundas Wright
    (1917 – 1975)
  • 1954 – 1956
    Oscar Joseph Negus KC
    (1902 – 1970)
  • 1952 – 1954
    Howard Vincent Reilly
    (1905 – 1973)
  • 1951 – 1952
    Hubert Taylor Stables
    (1897 – 1972)
  • 1950 – 1951
    John Evenden Virtue
    (1905 – 1986)
  • 1948 – 1950
    John Hale
    (1905 – 1979)
  • 1945 – 1948
    Wallace Turnbull Unmack
    (1896 – 1963)
  • 1943 – 1945
    John Peter (Jack) Durack KC
    (1886 – 1978)
  • 1940 – 1943
    Nathaniel Peaden Lappin
    (1898 – 1962)
  • 1937 – 1940
    Sydney Howard-Bath
    (1877 – 1950)
  • 1935 – 1937
    Wallace Elias Bickley Solomon
    (1878 – 1950)
  • 1930 – 1935
    Michael Gibson Lavan KC
    (1875 – 1937)
  • 1927 – 1930
    Sir Walter Hartwell James KC
    (1863 – 1943)
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