New Lawyers CPD Afternoon

New Lawyers CPD Afternoon

With great pleasure, the Law Society's New Lawyers Committee is hosting an afternoon seminar designed specifically for upcoming, young, and new lawyers. Early-career solicitors will get three sessions of training in the afternoon that will provide them with practical tools to advance their careers.

This afternoon will include three sessions and networking opportunities with your peers. 

Officer of the court: Professional responsibility and advocacy

Presented by Andrew Herring, North Herring Lawyers
1 point in Core area 1 - Legal ethics and professional responsibility

As an early-career lawyer, it is imperative to understand the duty you have to the court, and as a result, how this informs your conduct, advocacy and responsibilities. As an officer of the court, your paramount duty is to the court as part of the administration of justice. This session by Andrew Herring will provide practice guidance on (i) a lawyer's professional responsibilities when engaging with the Court and (ii) navigating potential tensions that can arise with this paramount duty. Andrew will discuss the importance of professional responsibilities (duties to the court and to the administration of justice, undertakings), advocacy (written advocacy and ethics in advocacy) and professional courtesy (to the court and in advocacy).

 

How to survive and thrive in the first couple of years of legal practice - presented by Athol Opas

Presented by Athol Opas, Blackburn Chambers
1 point in Core Area 3 – Professional Skills

This session will offer guidance to new lawyers on how to survive and thrive in the early years of legal practice, including:

  • challenges typically faced by new lawyers and strategies for dealing with them;
  • managing relationships with co-workers and senior lawyers/partners;
  • what partners/supervisors expect of new lawyers;
  • what to expect from your supervisor;
  • dealing with other situations such as when friends and family seek your guidance on legal issues outside of your workplace; and
  • strategies if your job does not satisfy your needs.

 

Collegiality in the Legal Profession

Presented by Ian Metz, Blackburn Chambers
1 point in Core Area 2 Practice Management and Business Skills

This session will address collegiality in the profession, touching on what to expect from the profession, and what the profession can expect from new lawyers. 

 

This popular event typically sells out and registrations are limited, so get in quick!

 

DETAILS

  • When: Wednesday 19 November 2025  I  2:00pm - 6:00pm (registration opens from 1:30pm)
  • Where: ACT Law Society  I  Level 1, 5 Constitution Ave, Canberra 
  • CPD: Members will earn 3 CPD points
  • Cost: New Lawyers and Student members - $30
  • Registrations close Wednesday 6 November
  • Ticket price includes afternoon tea and networking drinks with nibbles

Are you currently studying and would like to attend but not a member? Student memberships are $25 for 12 months and entitle you to student pricing on eligible events. Click here to sign up or contact memberconnect@actlawsociety.asn.au for assistance.

 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

ANDREW HERRING

SOLICITOR DIRECTOR  I  NORTH HERRING LAWYERS

Andrew is a Solicitor Director of North Herring Lawyers, a mid-sized general practice firm. He has worked in litigation and dispute resolution for 22 years, and in 2008 was accredited as a specialist in advocacy by the Law Society of NSW. In 2018 he successfully undertook the NSW Bar Examinations but elected to continue working as a solicitor advocate, rather than accepting a call to the bar. In 2022 he was appointed as an Adjunct Lecturer with the College of Law PLT program, leading workshops in Advocacy and teaching the PLT coursework program. He is a member of the ACT Law Society’s Professional Ethics and Criminal Law committees.

 

ATHOL OPAS

BARRISTER  I  BLACKBURN CHAMBERS

Athol practices mainly in commercial law and also in general civil law and occupational discipline.  Athol was called to the Bar in 2017.  Before being called to the Bar, Athol worked as a solicitor in Canberra for 18 years, working in small and large Canberra firms, in a national law firm, and as a Commonwealth government in-house lawyer.  Athol served for several years on the ACT Law Society Council, and was president of the ACT Law Society and a director of the Law Council of Australia.  Athol has served on various committees of the ACT Law Society and ACT Bar Association, and he is a current member of the Law Society’s Professional Ethics Committee.  Athol has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide in Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution and for Commercial Leasing.

 

IAN METZ

BARRISTER  I  BLACKBURN CHAMBERS

Ian Metz has been a barrister at Blackburn Chambers for five years. Prior to being called, he spent several years at a large national law firm and a year as an associate to a Judge in the Equity division of the NSW Supreme Court.

 

Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

In-person registration (New Lawyers and Students) $30.00(GST incl.) Register
Live streaming online registration (New Lawyer and Students) $30.00(GST incl.) Register

Schedule

Speakers

Sponsors & Supporters

Open in Google Maps