Criminal Law Accredited Specialist Tania Wolff was endorsed as Law Institute of Victoria president for 2021 at the Annual General Meeting last night.

Ms Wolff has more than two decades of experience in the law, encompassing commercial law, in-house counsel roles and criminal law. She is currently the Principal and Director of First Step Legal, an LIV Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law and a Sessional Legal Member on the Mental Health Tribunal. 

Ms Wolff said she is honoured to be President in 2021 and hopes during her term to promote greater understanding of the contributions made by all segments of the legal profession, including the less well-known community legal sector.

She also acknowledged the impact of COVID-19 on the legal profession and its clients. 

“Mental health and wellbeing have been my professional focus over many years, and in the coming year this focus will be more important than ever. I will seek to promote and advocate for the interests of all our members during this time of monumental change and challenge, but also opportunity.”

2020 Council election results

Results of the annual election were endorsed at the AGM. Seven councillors were elected to the 18-member Council. Successful councillors were Brendan Lacota, Majella Foster-Jones, Rodd Levy, Kathy Wilson, Elly Blizzard, Stuart Webb and Rebecca Johnston-Ryan.

Retiring Council members

LIV President Sam Pandya thanked councillors who will retire at the end of 2020 – Gerry Bean and Meghan Warren. Mr Pandya is also retiring from Council.

LIV CEO Adam Awty thanked president Sam Pandya for his dedication to the role during this challenging COVID year. Mr Pandya will hand over to president-elect Tania Wolff effective from 1 January 2021.