Law Society Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch details some of the key events and work programmes that the Law Society has championed on behalf of the profession. These include consumer education, advocacy and law reform, and the recent panel discussion on the Treaty Principles – also a feature story in this issue. Katie shares her own plans for summer and looks forward to returning to work refreshed.
The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is committed to fostering a healthier and more supportive legal profession. Our Practising Well programme which is now underway is designed to address the unique challenges faced by lawyers and provide practical tools and resources to promote whanaungatanga (connection) and manaakitanga (kindness).
We’re focused on raising awareness about mental health, breaking down stigma, and encouraging open conversations. By sharing personal stories and providing practical tips, we aim to create a culture where lawyers feel comfortable talking about their mental health and seeking help. Our wellbeing resources on our website offer practical tools and strategies for managing stress, improving work-life balance, and building resilience.
The Law Society is committed to advocating for a supportive workplace culture. We encourage the legal profession to create safe, positive work environments that prioritise mental health to help reduce stress and burnout.
One of the things we can do within our organisation to help is to strengthen the Lawyers Complaints Service. Lawyers quite rightly take complaints against them seriously. The Law Society’s focus is on providing timely and easy to digest support and information to lawyers facing complaints. This includes guiding them on how to seek support, encouraging timely responses to complaints and prioritising efficient complaint handling processes.
A review of the Lawyers Complaints Service is underway to identify areas for improvement. Making enhancements to regulatory processes to better acknowledge and respond to wellbeing-related issues should help with this. Additionally, a dedicated wellbeing coordinator has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the Law Society’s wellbeing programme, ensuring that lawyers receive the guidance they need.
It’s been a busy end to the year, not just for those working internally at the Law Society, but also for our many volunteers.
I was lucky enough to attend a function in Auckland in October to say thank you to our volunteers. It was a fantastic opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions made by lawyers and legal professionals to our work.
The Law Society is incredibly grateful for the willingness of lawyers to give back to their profession and their community. The dedication and commitment that I see day-in and day-out is truly inspiring.
From advocating for law reform to providing support to fellow lawyers, the contributions all make a significant impact. We are particularly grateful for volunteers' work in areas such as advocacy, law reform, regulatory decision-making, friends and complaints panels, and mentoring. Lawyers’ willingness to share knowledge and expertise with colleagues is invaluable.
It is good to see more diversity in the ranks of our volunteers. We want our committees and volunteers to reflect and represent the legal profession and the people in the communities we serve, and we appreciate there is still more work to do.
It’s not just within the Law Society that lawyers make a difference. The contributions extend to a wide range of institutions and societies, including school boards and sports clubs. The commitment to giving back is a testament to the positive impact lawyers have on our communities. So, thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Law Society and the wider legal profession.
Even though we are almost there for the year, we are finishing strongly. In November, the Law Society jointly hosted a valuable panel discussion and presentation with Dr Carwyn Jones and Dr Damen Ward, authors of Treaty Law: Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in Law and Practice. This event was aimed at providing insights for legal professionals into how the courts have interpreted te Tiriti o Waitangi in law and practice.
The book, recently awarded the JF Northey Award for the Best Legal Book Published in 2023, offers a comprehensive analysis of judicial decisions relating to te Tiriti. It sheds light on the evolution of te Tiriti principles and their application in various legal contexts.
The panel discussion, which featured esteemed practitioners and academics, further explored these principles, emphasising the importance of understanding te Tiriti in the modern legal landscape.
By hosting this event in partnership with Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa and helping to explain complex legal concepts, the Law Society and Te Hunga Rōia are supporting lawyers to navigate the evolving legal landscape with confidence.
In this edition of LawTalk, we have a write up and pictures from the event. We also hear from six leaders in our field about how they keep mentally well with wellbeing rituals: it’s not only inspiring but useful information for us all.
We’ve also got an update on why consumer education is vital for the profession. And, don’t forget, we have our yearly snapshot of the profession. I, and many of my colleagues and lawyers, continue to find huge value in this repository of data.
Personally, I plan to disconnect and immerse myself in nature during this summer break. A good hike is an excellent way to get away from it all. It’s a chance to whakaaroaro (reflect), appreciate the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand, and return to work whakahou (refreshed).
I do hope everyone gets to spend quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a family barbecue or a quiet evening with a good book, human connection and relaxation is essential for our wellbeing. It’s a time to strengthen bonds, share laughter, and create lasting memories.
As we look forward to the summer break, let’s commit to prioritising our hauora (wellbeing) and creating a more supportive and compassionate legal profession. By working together, we can build a brighter future for all.