Pauline Wright of Avoca appointed 2020 Law Council of Australia President
For the first time in the history of the Law Council of Australia, a Central Coast resident has been elected president. She is just the fifth woman to take on the role in 87 years.
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Avoca lawyer Pauline Wright is passionate about making sure everyone has access to justice.
Ms Wright has taken office as the 2020 President of the Law Council of Australia and is the first Central Coast resident, and just the fifth woman to hold the top job in more than 87 years.
“I was just honoured and humbled,” Ms Wright told the Express.
“It’s extraordinary to have the confidence of my peers across the nation. I feel doubly pleased my peers have elected a regional lawyer as their president.
“I’m definitely the first coastie and I’m thrilled to be able to bring a focus to our region.”
Ms Wright, principal partner from the Gosford-based firm PJ Donnellan & Co, has been a lawyer for the past 20 years specialising in environmental and planning law. She was also 2017 President of the Law Society of NSW.
The Law Council of Australia ensures the law is respected, maintained and honoured. As president, Ms Wright will have a voice in the creation and development of new laws and regulations.
Ms Wright said she was passionate about rural, remote and regional issues.
“There are particular groups in society who have trouble getting access to justice, including people from the bush and Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders,” she said.
“There’s also another group called the ‘missing middle’ who are people that don’t qualify for Legal Aid and don’t have the funds to access legal advice. I want to look at ways to help people have access to justice.
“I am also keen to see better resources come to regional areas for legal services and celebrate the expertise we have here. We have a huge talent pool on the Central Coast, many who commute. I’d love to see them practice in our region.”
Ms Wright said she was initially planning to study art after school, however when her chosen school closed just days before starting, she was inspired by a friend to study law.
“I thought to myself ‘I can do that’ and the more I learned about it, the more I realised that was what I wanted to do,” she said.
The new role will see Ms Wright travel the nation and overseas addressing bar associations, law societies and speaking at conferences.
When she’s back home, she loves being part of the Lizards, a swimming group in Avoca.
“It’s the best start to the morning and I always say to myself, ‘wow, I live here’.”