Vale Terry O’Connor QC

The Law Society is saddened to hear of the passing of Terry O’Connor QC, a loyal and longstanding supporter of the Law Society who also served on the Society’s Council from 1971-72.

Law Society President Nicholas van Hattem said, “I would like to recognise Terry’s dedicated service to the legal profession and the wider community. Terry was on the boards of a number of public listed companies, educational, sporting and charitable bodies. He was a leader in so many fields and will be very much missed.”

Mr O’Connor QC was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1961. He became a partner at Stone James & Co in 1964, practised in commercial litigation and acted as an in-house counsel. He then joined the Independent Bar in 1986 as a barrister and became Queen’s Council in 1987. He retired from practice in 2004.

His leadership qualities and commitment to law earned Mr O’Connor QC the respect of the legal profession. He was appointed Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission from 1997 to 2004 and was Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia from 1990 to 2005.

Outside of the law, Terry O’Connor QC had a proud history in football as a player, coach and administrator. He played more than 250 games for the University of Western Australia over 16 years, and was awarded a Half Blue in 1959 for outstanding sporting achievement. Once retired from playing, Terry made a significant contribution to Australian football – firstly as West Coast Eagles Chairman for three seasons, including the 1992 Premiership season, and then as Commissioner for the Australian Football League from 1993 to 2000.

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For comment please contact:

Andrew MacNiven
Senior Media and Communications Officer
(08) 9324 8634
amacniven@lawsocietywa.asn.au

The Law Society of Western Australia is the peak professional association for lawyers in the State. The Society is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the representation of its more than 4,000 members. The Society enhances the legal profession through its position as a respected leader and contributor on law reform, access to justice and the rule of law. The Society is widely acknowledged by the legal profession, government and the community as the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia.