The AALA wishes to congratulate William Lye and Cam Truong on their appointment to the inner bar. Both are AALA members who have formerly served on the AALA's committee. We wish them both a successful path ahead as silks.

The Chief Justice of Victoria, Anne Ferguson in announcing the appointment of new silks, including AALA's William Lye SC and Cam Truong SC stated that: “ideally, the composition of all levels of the legal profession would reflect the gender, cultural and ethnic diversity of Australian society.” Her Honour also stated that: “although there is a long way to go in this regard, we are edging forward to greater diversity and the Senior Counsel appointed today are part of that.”

https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/announcement-of-senior-counsel-for-victoria-2018

The Hon. Tony Pagone QC presented on the topic of written advocacy in the first instalment of the Court Advocacy series run by the Victorian Asian Australian Lawyers Association and Maurice Blackburn on 28 November at the Maurice Blackburn offices.

His Honor said he was happy to see the formation of AALA. He also said that it's important to promote greater cultural diversity in the legal profession because it gives the community greater confidence in the administration of justice.

Far from it being a “boring speech by a boring chap” who practices in tax law, as His Honor self-deprecatingly suggested, it provided very interesting and practical insights on the importance of and how to go about establishing trust, writing for the reader and framing issues. Be sure to check out the relevant chapter in His Honor's splendid book “Tax Disputes” – we’ve been assured by His Honor that the presentation is much better in its written form. We look forward to the next part of the Court Advocacy series. #aala #mauriceblackburn #culturaldiversity #advocacy

The AALA extends its congratulations to our very own William Lye OAM (immediate past National Vice President and current Victorian Committee Member) and Cam Truong (former AALA Secretary) on their appointments today as Senior Counsel in Victoria by Chief Justice Ferguson.

 

The AALA would like to congratulate the Victorian President of AALA, Daniel Nguyen, who was recently re-elected to the Victorian Bar Council Committee for 2018-2019.

More information about his profile can be found in the link below : https://www.vicbar.com.au/public/about/governance/bar-council

If you are a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, please support our very own Vice-President, Molina Asthana, in her bid to be re-elected to the LIV Council at the upcoming elections.

Molina's statement can be viewed here.

The Law Institute of Victoria will be holding a workshop on diversity and inclusion in workplaces as part of its Wellbeing Program. Details of the event are as follows:

Tuesday 30 October 2018
1 - 2pm
LIV Lecture Theatre, 470 Bourke Street, Melbourne
FREE for all to attend

Further details are available on the LIV website.

On Tuesday evening 16 October 2018, Daniel Nguyen (Victorian President of AALA), Kerry Truong (Victorian Secretary of AALA) and John Leung (barrister) spoke on a panel about career pathways outside of top-tier commercial law firms, the importance of cultural diversity in the legal profession and the AALA’s role in promoting greater cultural diversity in the law. 

 

The Q&A session was thought provoking and the law students raised issues concerning the collection of cultural background data as well as how a person born overseas might go about maintaining their cultural traditions whilst adapting to Australian culture. 

 

Many thanks to Monash Law Faculty for holding and sponsoring the event with AALA which was held at Monash Law Chambers. Law students are encouraged to support and join the AALA (for a small fee of $10) via http://www.aala.org.au/membership-application

Dear Members,

As many of you would know, the elections for the Law Institute of Victoria are underway. One of our members, Zubair Mian is seeking election this year.

If you are an LIV member, we encourage you to support diversity in the LIV council and consider voting for our member. A brief introduction is as below.

Zubair Mian 

I am humbled, privileged and honoured to be seeking re-election to the LIV Council having been elected for a three year term in 2015. 

I Graduated from Melbourne University in1985, was admitted to practice in 1986, and member of the LIV since my admission. I am an experienced commercial litigator at Mian Phillips & Co, the firm I established in 1988 after a two year stint as employee solicitor.

I believe Strong leadership is essential in representing LIV member’s interest.I understand the issues and concerns faced by practitioners on a daily basis. My diverse experience gained over decades of Legal Practice, inspires me to represent you with compassion, sincerity and conviction. I believe some values are worth fighting for. LIV members must always come first and receive value for money, paid through their membership fees. After all, The LIV is a Member based organisation.  It has moved too far to the right and has been operating as a business in recent times rather than representing the interest and welfare of its members. Member’s health & wellbeing is of utmost importance. I am a strong advocate for cultural, ethnic and gender diversity in the Legal Profession. I am passionate about improving conditions for young lawyers; assisting new graduates find work experience and employment in their chosen profession to gain experience and to progress in their carrier. I currently serve as:- 

·       LIV Council/Board member, I am on  Committees including, LIV Executive committee as 5^thExecutive, Bail review, building working Group, Committee overseeing Investing Building sale proceeds, Diversity, Access to Justice, LIV Awards, Membership and various other Committees;

·       President, of ESLA Inc. since 2012; 

·       Founding member and Vice President of AALA Asian Australian Lawyers Association, Inc. (AALA) until 2017, President Vic AALA until October 2018 AGM and now Committee member, www.aala.org.au;

·       Registered Mentor with LIV & AALA;

·       LIV Council Liaison for Northern Suburbs Law Association (NSLA) & MPLA.

For more information, please visit LIV's website at : https://www.liv.asn.au/About/Council-Governance/LIV-Council-Elections

The National President and Committee of AALA congratulates former VMC Commissioner on his appointment as Australian Human Rights Commission's new Racial Discrimination Commissioner. We look forward to working with Chin Tan, who is a lawyer, to seek cultural diversity outcomes in our legal profession. 

To read the official announcement on the AHRC website, please click here.

The AALA recently held its 2018 Annual General Meeting in Melbourne, broadcasting live in different cities, including Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. 
It would not have been possible without the generous sponsor of Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers.
Congratulations to all committee members recently elected, or re-elected.
Looking forward to a new year of exciting events, collaborations and new opportunities, onwards and upwards!
#aalaeventsmelb #culturaldiversity