The Council of the Law Society of Tasmania today elected highly respected litigation lawyer Simon Gates as its new President.
Immediate past President, Mr Trevor McKenna said, “The incoming President’s experience as a barrister, and former roles as a partner of north-west law firm, a government lawyer and as a Senior Legal Advisor to a state Attorney-General will equip him well to represent the legal profession in Tasmania.”
“His skills in advocating for justice for the community, his previous leadership roles and the commitment he has shown to the profession will be an asset. I look forward to him moving into the role of President, and aptly leading the Society forward.”
“Mr Gates has broad experience in legal practice in Tasmania and will bring the perspectives of someone who has practised in Hobart and regional Tasmania and both Crown Law and private practice to the role.”
Mr Gates says “It’s an honour to be elected President of the Law Society and to have the support of my colleagues. I am very excited about the role.”
Mr Gates is also the inaugural chair of the Law Society’s Wellbeing Committee, which was established earlier this year.
“I hope that during my time as President I can help to implement important initiatives that will support improved wellbeing for members of the broader Tasmanian legal community.”
Mr Gates is a barrister who is based in Burnie and works principally in workers compensation, personal injury and public law.
Mr Gates was born and raised in Hobart and first studied science at the University of Tasmania before returning to study law.
After graduating from Law School Mr Gates accepted a volunteer position as a legal and policy adviser in Timor-Leste, funded by Australian Volunteers International, where he lived and worked in 2005 and 2006, before returning to Tasmania to enter the legal profession.
For more information or requests for media interviews with Mr Gates phone 0415 535 707.
18 October 2021