This month AuSAE welcomes Lea McLean of the Law Society of the ACT as our Member in Focus. Lea recently spoke with AuSAE about the Law Society of the ACT's membership strategies and their biggest challenges. Plus, exciting projects underway for the Society. 

Can you tell us a bit about the Law Society of the ACT and the goals they strive to achieve?

The Law Society exists to represent, advance, and defend the interests of an independent legal profession in the ACT. We strive to protect the public interest in the ACT system of justice through the efficient regulation of the profession in accordance with the Legal Profession Act and the Society's Rules for Solicitors.

Main activities include:

• Lobbying for "good law" and to reduce costs and improve conditions for members.
• Maintenance of professional standards and guardianship of the profession's public image and reputation.
• Business, professional and personal counselling, education and training.
• Information and communication.
• Spiritual, social and networking.
• Commercial services.
• Community services.

What are the Law Society's most successful membership strategies to increase engagement and membership retention? 

In the past twelve months the Society moved to premises that better suited the needs of the organisation – with meeting and training rooms that facilitate a better flow of members through the organisation. The Society now interacts with more of its members on a daily basis.

We tailor CPD events to best suit the needs of members – we now run a series of themed CPD afternoons for different areas of law. This has proven to be popular with members and allows us to specifically target particular membership sectors.

We continue to expand the use of technology – in terms of membership sign ups, membership renewals and later in the year, electronic voting at Council elections, as well as webinars for CPD topics.

New strategies to interact with our membership base have included the introduction earlier this year of a new look Ethos magazine and subsidised flu shots for sole practitioners.

What do you personally feel has been the biggest challenge that the Law Society of the ACT has overcome in your time with the organisation? 

The Society needed to improve the membership database system to reduce the duplication of data entry. To ensure a positive take up by members using online membership application, the Society enforced compulsory online applications and did not allow the option of paper forms. This was not only challenging for our members, but also required greater IT support to be provided by the Society over the phone. 

How does the future look for the Law Society of the ACT (or what exciting projects are underway at the Law Society of the ACT)?

Membership continues to increase which is pleasing. Government lawyers are a significant portion of the membership which places the ACT in a unique position.

The Society is looking to enhance a range of services to members in areas such as:

• CPD (in terms of range, quality and delivery methodologies). Later this year we will be hosting CORO, the Conference of Regulatory Officers, for the first time.
• Facilitating networking and social interaction between members of the profession.
• Working with government and our members to ensure they have a voice in law reform initiatives. This is particularly important this year where there is both a Federal and Territory election.
• The Society continues to monitor important developments within the legal profession - such as the uniform law – to ensure that the interests of our members are fully considered in deciding what position the ACT should adopt.

What would you say to someone starting out in the legal profession with a view to become a future leader?

The legal profession is undergoing significant change with the implementation of Uniform Law in NSW and Victoria and other jurisdictions looking closely at the changes that brings.

There are changes in the demographics of the profession with increased female graduates completing their degree. This requires the profession to consider the best way to mix career needs and personal needs. There are a number of organisations now looking at new innovations to service clients more broadly, with long held methodologies being challenged.

Graduates completing a law degree have a variety of options within the private and public sector. They should expand their interest groups and make the most of volunteer opportunities to broaden their horizons and take up any opportunities available with mentor programs.