LSB December 2021 HR

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I look forward to continuing to work
with the Council next year as Immediate
Past President to keep this important
momentum going, aiming to eliminate
improper conduct from within the
profession, further develop our education
and training offerings in this critical
area, and ensure we continue to increase
diversity in legal leadership.
On a lighter note, I have been pleased
and proud to represent the Society at
a range of events throughout the year,
including sharing in hosting duties for the
Margaret Nyland Long Lunch (held jointly
with the Women Lawyers’ Association
of SA) and the Legal Profession Dinner,
each of which were attended by over
300 people. I have also been privileged
to speak at a large number of ceremonial
sittings throughout the year, including
to celebrate the commencement of the
Court of Appeal, to welcome several new
judges and justices in the Supreme, District
and Federal Circuit and Family Courts as
well as the South Australian Employment
Tribunal, and to commemorate the
Honourable Justice Strickland’s career
upon his retirement from judicial office. I
have enjoyed all the opportunities I’ve had
to meet with members of the profession at
events and conferences throughout 2021.
Of course, the Society’s key advocacy
work, via submissions, media, and
appearances at parliamentary committees,
has also formed a substantial part of my
and the Society’s work - the breadth of
topics has been significant, and included
such varied matters as privacy and
technology law, road traffic law changes,
the age of criminal responsibility, domestic
violence reform and vaccination policies.
The Society’s comprehensive election
issues platform, prepared out of the many
and varied contributions offered by the
Society’s members and committees this
year, will continue to be of great interest
and a key focus in the lead up to the state
election in early 2022.
This year has been a fascinating,
busy, engaging, at times challenging, but
consistently rewarding experience for
me, and one I’m immensely proud and
humbled to have had the opportunity
to undertake. I’m looking forward to
having the chance to thank in person
many of those that have provided me and
the Society with support and assistance
throughout the year at the President’s
Christmas Cocktail event in early
December, and otherwise hope to see
many of you at functions and events as
the year winds down. Thank you for your
ongoing support of the Society during
2021, and I wish you and your families all
a safe, relaxing and happy Christmas and
New Year. B
Patience & understanding are
virtues during these times
MICHAEL ESPOSITO, EDITOR
It’s rather fitting that this edition contains
a strong focus on animals, as we have
relied on the companionship of animals
more than ever during the pandemic.
The growing area of law around
animals reflects an increasing recognition
of the value and rights of animals.
The spike in pet ownership during the
pandemic is unsurprising but it naturally
carries the risk of more animals being
mistreated in numerous ways, including
being neglected, abused, or being collateral
damage in broken relationships.
But mostly, pets bring joy, they
encourage exercise, and they are great
for helping humans to socialise with each
other. They have been a source of comfort
in what has been another extremely
challenging year.
With COVID-19 stubbornly resisting
all our best efforts to suppress it, 2021 has
been a real test of resilience.
We all hoped that things would go
back to normal this year, but Covid has
continued to wreak havoc around the
world, and SA, which has by in large kept
the virus at bay, now faces a surge in cases
as we open up our state, and contend
with the real prospect of widespread
disruption to our Christmas plans due to
the quarantine and isolation guidelines
currently in place.
While this has been another difficult
year for the profession, we have
collectively risen to the occasion, earnt
a holiday and are now looking forward
to a long overdue return to something
resembling business as usual.
As we approach what I hope will be
a holiday season spent with family and
friends, we would all do well to remember
that many people are struggling, scared,
and uncertain as the virus and the
attendant mandates and restrictions still
form a dark cloud over our lives. So let’s
be kind to one another (including our
animal friends) and try to conquer this
thing once and for all. B
December 2021 THE BULLETIN 5