Lorcan Tiernan reports on the In-House and Public Sector Conference for the December 2016 Gazette.
A growing force
As the economy recovers, the in-house sector of the solicitors’ profession has expanded significantly. A total of 18% of the profession comprises in-house (15%) and public sector (3%) practitioners.
The In-House and Public Sector Committee of the Law Society was established 17 years ago, recognising the unique requirements and perspectives of in-house solicitors. The annual In-House and Public Sector Conference, held at Blackhall Place in late 2016, shed considerable light on their unique working experience.
Responding to changing needs
Brian Connolly, Chair of the In-House and Public Sector Committee, shared the insights from an independent and confidential poll of practitioners in the sector conducted by Red-C. This polling has informed an action plan for the Committee focused on four areas – skills and values, education and training, professional issues, and trainees. The Law Society has already begun working on these areas, and has committed the necessary resources to realise this ambitious plan in the year ahead.
Other highlights of the conference included in-house solicitors from varied industries talking about their interesting roles, and a keynote address from Steven D’Souza applying psychological insights to leadership theories. Writing in the December 2016 Gazette, Lorcan Tiernan provides a valuable report on the Conference’s work.
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