Graduate of The University of Notre Dame Australia and current Senior Associate in the Herbert Smith Freehills Dispute group, Matthew Keogh has been elected President of The Law Society of Western Australia for 2015.
Mr Keogh graduated from the School of Law, Fremantle, with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in 2004. Since graduation, Mr Keogh has been recognised locally and nationally for his dedication to the legal profession and extensive community service.
In 2009, he was recognised as the Australian Young Lawyer of the Year for his support of junior members of the legal profession while Convenor of the WA Young Lawyers Committee, and for his work with community organisations. Mr Keogh’s community work includes assisting victims of domestic violence, local Church groups and developing government policy. He also serves as the Vice Chairperson of Street Law Centre WA Inc, which provides free legal services to homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“I feel sincerely honoured to be elected as President of The Law Society; it is an integral role in communicating the views of the legal profession in Western Australia to the broader community. I am looking forward to working with, and being of service to, our members,” Mr Keogh said.
“I have been involved in the Law Society for six years, and it has been a fantastic opportunity to put my legal and public policy skills to work for the benefit of the profession and the wider community. It has also given me greater understanding of the profession as a whole, both from a practitioner and client perspective. This has enabled me to advocate for changes that will make a real difference for the Society’s members and the community.”
Mr Keogh intends to continue working through the Law Society on the expansion of pro bono legal services and improvement of the mental health and wellbeing of lawyers.
“These issues are not just important to individual practitioners, they ensure that the legal profession is supported to continue to play a vital role in our community,” Mr Keogh said.
“I am also committed to ensuring members receive value for their Law Society membership, through the provision of high-quality education programs, keeping members up to date on developments in the law and the practice of law, and providing opportunities to network and connect with each other.”
Professor Doug Hodgson, Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Law, Fremantle, says the announcement is a significant achievement for Mr Keogh in his professional career and for the university as an academic institution.
“The School of Law is extremely proud of Matthew. He is a fantastic example of consistent dedication to the legal profession and the community generally,” Professor Hodgson said.
“Matthew is a great role model for current and future law students, in addition to practising lawyers. We look forward to learning about Matthew’s many future accomplishments in his new role.”
Applications are still open for 2015. Apply directly to Notre Dame. Visit www.notredame.edu.au to find out more.