Hello 2025! A strong start to the legal year across Victoria

The 2025 legal year kicked off in style, with three Legal Laneway Breakfasts being held across Victoria. From Melbourne to Morwell to Ballarat, members of the legal sector gathered to connect, reflect, and look ahead to 2025. Here's a quick recap of our exciting Breakfasts!

Melbourne’s iconic Hardware Lane

Our first Breakfast began in Melbourne's vibrant Hardware Lane with a fantastic turnout of more than 250 members of the legal sector. Over hot coffee and breakfast canapes, we had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, including the new Attorney-General of Victoria, the Honourable Sonya Kilkenny MP, who gave her first address to the sector.

The Attorney-General spoke on the importance of honesty and truth in a world of misinformation, especially when concerning reform to improve access to justice. “All of you play such a critical role in this law reform work, not just by sharing your insights and experiences to help guide their design but also by enlivening those laws by interpreting them and applying them,” she said to those present. “You are essential in bridging the gap between the people we serve and our profession. “

Vincent Shin from Westjustice Community Legal Centre also provided insight into his unconventional journey into the legal sector, as well as the opportunities to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups. As the first school lawyer in Victoria, he spoke on how the program provides young people with information about their legal rights and responsibilities. The school lawyer program represents the innovative work lawyers can do to ensure that vulnerable Victorians have a better understanding of the law before their first interactions with the legal system.

Couldn’t attend? You can watch the recording now.  

Morwell’s LaTrobe Regional Gallery

Wednesday morning saw the second Legal Laneway Breakfast, but this one was especially notable – it was our very first event in Morwell! Hosted in partnership with the Gippsland Law Association, the Breakfast brought together the region’s legal community for a morning of networking and insightful presentations.

Former Attorney-General Rob Hulls and Charlie Campbell of the Koori Court reflected on the formation and processes of the Koori Court. The Koori Court is an example of the opportunities to use reform and interventions with support services to increase access to justice for marginalisad groups, such as First Nations, survivors of domestic violence, and those with mental health illnesses.

“You are the law reformers of the future,” Rob Hulls said to the legal professionals present, urging them to think outside traditional lines of thinking to improve people’s lives and interactions with the legal sector.

Victorian Legal Services Board Commissioner and CEO Fiona McLeay also addressed the profession, speaking on their upcoming research projects and the support they offer to legal professionals. She emphasised that lawyer wellbeing was important to improving access to justice, and that the Breakfast serves as an opportunity to “come together as colleagues in the law all trying to do the same thing; serve the community."

The event highlighted the importance of community collaboration in the Gippsland region and we’re thankful to the Gippsland Law Association for making this inaugural Breakfast possible.

Ballarat’s The Lane at the George Hotel

To wrap up the week, we headed to Ballarat for the third consecutive Legal Laneway Breakfast in the city. For the legal professionals in Ballarat and the surrounding region, this annual event is always a highlight! Over breakfast nibbles, attendees had the chance to reconnect and reflect on the start of the year.

Guest speakers included CEO of Women’s Legal Service Victoria Claudia Fatone, who spoke on the prevalence of family violence and the high rates of unmet legal needs for those affected. Women’s Legal Service Victoria provides a myriad of training and professional development programs to inform lawyers of the foundational training to deliver high-quality and trauma-informed services. “Regardless of what area of law you practice, you need to be able to identify family violence and understand how it intersects with legal issues.”

Local members Adrien Tinetti and Narelle Laing also shared their thoughts on the year ahead, and how the legal community can work together for a more accessible future. A big thank you to Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service for their continued support in bringing this event to the region.

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As we look ahead at 2025, it’s clear that the Breakfasts set the tone for another year of collaboration and progress. “It is glorious to go around the state and have each community embrace this concept in its own way,” reflected Victoria Law Foundation Executive Director Lynne Haultain.  “That’s exactly what the Breakfast is about.”

We’re grateful to all our speakers and attendees for their contributions, and we can’t wait to continue the conversations started on these mornings throughout the year!

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