News | 8 May 2023

Recently the College held its Law Faculty Dinner with the Hon A.S. Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales as our guest of honour.

Also present were various current and former judicial officers including The Hon Justice Anthony Meagher, The Hon Arthur Emmett AO KC, The Hon Justice Robertson Wright, The Hon Justice Francois Kunc SC, The Hon John Griffiths, The Hon Justice Michael Lee, The Hon Justice John Sackar KC, and The Hon Paddy Bergin AO SC.

Also in attendance was the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Law School, Professor Simon Bronitt and Professor of Law at the Sydney Law School, Barbara McDonald, the Attorney General and Member for the seat of Maroubra, The Hon Michael Daley MP, and former Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr John McCarthy KC.

This dinner aims to celebrate the College’s long-standing connections with the legal profession, and to encourage our legally-minded students to aspire to success in their chosen field.

The Chief Justice was introduced by his good friend who also serves as the College Chairman, Mr John Coorey.

The College is very grateful to the Hon A.S. Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales, who delivered an entertaining and informative after-dinner speech.  His Honour focused on four lawyers of great distinction who were each involved with the College: The Hon John Hubert Plunkett QC, a founder of this College and great civic leader of early New South Wales, High Court Justices Richard Edward O’Connor QC and Sir Cyril Walsh KBE, and NSW Court of Appeal Justice Roddy Meagher AO QC, the latter three of whom were alumni and Fellows of the College.

His Honour noted that there was much for St John’s College students to aspire to and be proud of in the legal sphere, and that our students should never forget the great opportunity they have been fortunate to receive in a place at the College.

His Honour’s speech is available here.

The Chief Justice was thanked by third-year law student and Senior Resident Assistant Noah Coomas, who delivered a very powerful vote of thanks, noting the immense influence and encouragement he had felt from the College as the first student in his family to study law.

The College is equally grateful to the many distinguished guests who attended the night and inspired our students, including many sitting judicial officers, politicians and practitioners.  We look forward to hosting the Law Faculty Dinner once again in years to come.

To view all the photos, please click here (Password: Polding22).