AILA President’s Message June - September 2018
AILA appoints inaugural patron
It’s been a busy few months for AILA with many activities on the go.
AILA has appointed Federal Court Chief Justice James Allsop as its inaugural patron.
CJ Allsop AO is the architect of the Federal Court’s specialist insurance list.
I am delighted he has accepted the board’s invitation to be patron.
The national board considered CJ Allsop ideal for the role, given his knowledge and enthusiasm for ensuring further education on insurance and legal issues.
His passion for the law and for legal and judicial method is well known. CJ Allsop is highly regarded for his immense legal ability and his vision for the way courts should operate to fulfil their role as an arm of government and in providing an efficient, accessible judicial system to litigants.
CJ Allsop will participate in the 2018 AILA National Conference in Perth (31 October-2 November) and present the annual Geoff Masel Memorial Lecture in July 2018.
CJ Allsop’s acceptance of the role reflects on AILA’s prominence and growth since its 1983 inception.
New YP board member
The national board welcomes a new Young Professional to its ranks.
Dan Robinson is a senior associate at Clyde & Co, Sydney. He has been an active committee member on AILA's NSW Young Professionals (YP) committee for several years and was co-chair of the first national AILA YP committee in 2017.
He replaces Jessica Beard, from the Brisbane office of Quinlan Miller & Treston, as the YP ex-officio AILA national board member. Ms Beard is leaving her insurance practice.
A YP representative on the board enriches AILA and ensures it continues to offer events and benefits of value across the membership, including for those aged under 35.
Having a YP board representative is part of our goal to foster an innovative, proactive, member-responsive culture throughout AILA. YPs are our future.
Dan has organised successful networking and educational events for NSW YPs and been involved in developing and progressing AILA initiatives for YPs in Australia more broadly.
Mentoring program launched
AILA has launched a mentor program, initially in Victoria, with the potential to expand interstate after its initial year is evaluated.
AILA national board member Cameron Roberts, a partner with Thomson Geer, which is sponsoring the program in Victoria, said the aim was to connect experienced people from all areas of the industry, including broking, underwriting, claims, loss adjusting, law, and regulation, with younger mentees with fewer than five years’ experience.
“It’s not a lifetime relationship, but a six-month commitment for mentors to assist mentees with career development and share general advice,” Cameron said.
The program was a logical extension for AILA, adding “another string to its bow” of educational programs and networking events.
It is modelled on similar programs operated by other professional and industry associations.
Cameron said the program’s success would be gauged by the “raw numbers willing to participate” and feedback from participants.
For mentors, the program offers the opportunity to “give something back to the industry” and recognises a mentor’s respect and status within the industry. There will be an annual mentor of the year award.
For mentees, the program offers an experienced person who can share their skills and act as a sounding board.
Registrations have closed. AILA will now match mentors and mentees and invite them to attend an information session. Mentors and mentees then arrange their own regular meetings.
Ron Shorter award in progress
AILA’s public speaking competition for YPs in the insurance industry, the Ron Shorter Public Speaking Award, is in progress.
The award provides YPs with public speaking training and exposure to industry peers and luminaries. More than 200 YPs have benefited since the award began in 2012.
Applications have closed. Successful applicants will attend public speaking training workshops. In Victoria (5 June), Qld (12 June) and NSW (19 June), workshops are at 5pm at Colin Biggers & Paisley. The WA workshop is at Kott Gunning at 5pm on 26 June.
Invited applicants in South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT will join a workshop by videolink.
Workshop participants receive training from Polaris Coaching and then give two-minute presentations on their chosen topics. Three finalists in each location will progress to the finals.
The finals in Victoria (19 July), NSW (26 July) and Qld (9 August) will be at Colin Biggers & Paisley. Finalists from other states and territories will fly to their respective locations (airfares and accommodation provided). The WA final is at Kott Gunning on 16 August.
At the finals, competitors speak for 10 minutes on their topics and battle for the grand prize before a panel of judges and an audience of industry professionals.
State winners will receive economy airfares, two nights’ accommodation and registration for the AILA National Conference in Perth and deliver their winning speeches at the conference. The WA winner will receive a $750 gift card in lieu of an airfare.
Finalists receive $250 gift cards.
The award is sponsored nationally by Unisearch and Colin Biggers & Paisley and by Dever’s List in Victoria; HWL Ebsworth in SA; Kott Gunning in WA; and the NT Law Society.
Happy birthday, AILA
This year AILA turns 35.
To celebrate, AILA NSW hosted an invitation-only event at Park Hyatt, Sydney, on Thursday 31 May for past presidents, board members, committee members and industry dignitaries.
Other chapters are also hosting special functions.
AIDA events
AILA continues to be an active participant in the international insurance law association, AIDA.
Our representative on the Presidential Council, Chris Rodd, has provided an extensive report on the latest activities, including the forthcoming World Congress in Rio de Janeiro on 10-12 October.
University prizes, online resources
AILA’s program of insurance law prizes for students studying insurance law subjects in universities has now expanded to all states and territories.
AILA has also completed cataloguing all its papers, documents and videos, which are now key word searchable online for members.
Register now for the National Conference
Registrations have opened for the 2018 AILA National Conference – Evolution & Revolution – at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 31 October to 2 November 2018.
