INTRODUCTION
The President’s Foreword AUTUMN 2023 Phil Henson
I
n this edition the theme is pro bono. I would encourage all of our members to get involved in pro bono work, and activities. Through pro bono work lawyers are able to change lives and make a positive impact in the public interest. This can include legal work, including volunteering at many of the legal advice centres in our constituency, helping individuals and charity groups.
Engagement internationally – By representing the Society on the international stage including by: • engaging with those law societies and bar associations which whom we are twinned, and • by being active members of The Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe.
I was delighted to be installed as the new President of our society at our AGM. My thanks to Farrer & Co for kindly hosting us. The theme of pro bono ties in with my aims for my Presidential year which are focused on.
Finally, expanding our membership
1. Representation 2. Inclusion and diversity 3. Engagement 4. Member Support and 5. Expansion Representation means representing our members on the local, national and international stage. Being inclusive and diverse by welcoming all, and actively listening to our members. If there is no room at the table, then we get a bigger table. Engagement both locally and nationally – For example, by engaging with the Law Society Council to make the voices of our members heard.
Providing support, education and development opportunities for our members • This could be by developing skills, offering mentorship, or forging links with academic institutions.
Our membership numbers are up, and we want to go further. My request to all our members is to ask who do you know who could benefit from joining and being part of our unique legal community? I want to conclude by expressing my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our members and all of our committee and sub-committee members – past and present - for their hard work and dedication, and for giving me this opportunity. All the best
Phil Henson
President Westminster & Holborn Law Society
CENTRAL LONDON LAWYER | 5
