Hamilton sole practitioner Kerry Burroughs was elected the Law Society’s Waikato Bay of Plenty branch President at the branch’s annual meeting on 16 April.

Mr Burroughs succeeds Bruce Hesketh, who stepped down after three years as branch President.

Being a lawyer was something Mr Burroughs always wanted to do, but he did not begin his working life in the law. He took the opportunity to join the first intake of the then new Waikato University Law Faculty, becoming one of the school’s first group of graduates.

He was admitted in 1994, the same year he married Nancy. He and Nancy have three children. Two are attending Otago Univers-ity and the youngest is in year 12 at a local high school.

In 1995, Mr Burroughs began practising, starting at Frankton Law. After three years there, he set up on his own account.

He has been a Waikato Bay of Plenty District Law Society and then branch Council member on and off since 2004. He has also been the Law Society representative on the Hamilton District Court stakeholders committee. In 2011 and 2012 he served as the Vice-President of the Waikato Bay of Plenty branch.

The major issue he perceives for the next couple of years is “ensuring that we can provide cost-effective professional legal education to our members”, he says.

“Professional legal education is an issue that will concern all practitioners whether in sole practice, employed solicitors or in partnerships. It is important that continuing legal education becomes a stimulating experience and not a burden. I believe that with some vision this can easily be achieved.

“I would also like to encourage a re-emergence of a sense of collegiality within the profession to enable members to enjoy productive relationships in a congenial environment. I am also concerned that the welfare of younger lawyers is promoted and that they feel connected to the profession.”