Government Member

I can guarantee you my nomination for Law Society Councilor is different to everyone else standing for election – for this reason alone I ask that you read on. I am totally blind and work as a criminal litigator appearing almost daily in the Local and District Courts. I move between courts with my guide dog Scooter. I read the material using a computer with screen reading programs and a Braille printer when required. Essentially, I work the same way in courts as you do – I just do it a bit differently. The embracing of difference and the ability to think outside of the square equip me well to represent you on the Law Society Council.

I stand for fairness for all. I’m committed to being personally available and contactable by members and will listen and advance your interests. Some of the things I would like to see receive focus are:

1. Work with the Law Society to lobby government for an increase in funding for Legal Aid and the DPP to allow additional legal officers to be hired to manage workloads in the criminal justice system.

2. Work with the Law Society to investigate the feasibility of the implementation of a process whereby vexatious complaints against solicitors from members of the public lead to consequences for the member of the public making the complaint.

3. Greater wellbeing and business management support for sole practitioners and lawyers in small firms.

Professionally, I bring 25 years’ experience as a solicitor to the Council, working across Crime, Family and Civil litigation – in private practice until 2007 and government practice until today. My work in government legal practice with Legal Aid NSW has predominantly involved criminal law. My keen interest in issues of Civil Litigation and Family Law however remains.

My membership within the Diversity and Inclusion Committee over the past 4 years has given me significant insight into the workings of Law Society committees. My current projects on this committee include improving physical access to courts for people with disabilities and the under-employment of persons with disabilities in the law.

Away from work, I have been fortunate to have an elite sporting career representing New South Wales from 1992 to 2002 before taking a career and family break. I resumed my cricket career in 2016 with New South Wales and continue to represent the state. I represented Australia as a bowler in the Australian Blind Cricket team from 2016 until my retirement in 2022, playing in 2 World Cups, one Ashes series and other international fixtures. The skills acquired in this high-performance environment are apposite to a role on the Law Society Council. Working within a team environment, strong communication skills, adherence to deadlines, discipline and a good work ethic transfer easily to roles on Council.

My board experience has involved three years of service with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychology, Psychiatry and Law, 2 of these as President. From 2019 to 2022 I held an appointment as a member on the Riverside Theatre Advisory Board appointed by Parramatta Council. This period transcended the closure of arts facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic which required significant strategic input from the advisory committee.

I am a sole parent of one adult and one teenage child – tension created by balancing a demanding work role with parenthood is all too familiar to me. I will do whatever I can to advance the position of those with carer responsibilities within our legal profession.

I regularly volunteer in other roles within our community. I am a strong believer in the philosophy that well-rounded individuals are best placed to contribute to the work of the Law Society. I seek your endorsement.

Email: vaughan.roles@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 0425 211 038
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vaughan-roles