Over 100 solicitors from the midlands attended the Midland General Practice Update 2019, a major legal conference which took place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Friday 17 May.
This is the third annual conference in the midlands region and was organised by the Law Society Finuas Skillnet in association with Laois Solicitors’ Association, Kildare Bar Association, Midlands Bar Association and Carlow Bar Association.
The conference was an opportunity for solicitors to stay up-to-date on essential areas of law such as conveyancing, probate and more.
In February 2019 the Law Society announced its Small Practice Support Project; a strategic plan to support and develop smaller firms in rural and urban Ireland.
The report is based on extensive research involving a survey of hundreds of smaller law firms across Ireland.
It makes eleven strategic recommendations to assist sole practitioners and smaller practices to grow their businesses and achieve greater success for their clients, their firms and their local communities.
The conference was the second in a series of country-wide seminars designed for smaller practices, sole practitioners and local solicitors.
Solicitor James McElwee of McElwee Solicitors, Mountmellick, Co Laois is President of the Laois Solicitors’ Association and attended the event. He highlighted the important role of the solicitor in the midlands region.
“Solicitors are at the heart of the local community in rural Ireland, particularly the midlands,” he said. “Local solicitors are our neighbours, business advisers, as well as legal experts.”
“The Law Society’s Small Practice Support Project recognises that smaller practices in the midlands have a distinct profile with specific support needs.
We face similar challenges and opportunities that are common to other business owners and SMEs.
As solicitors, we must be adept at running a business as well as practising law,” he said.
“It can often be a challenge to balance the demands of running a small practice with the need to stay up-to-date on legal trends and developments.
The Midlands General Practice Update 2019 conference provided the perfect opportunity for local solicitors to refresh their knowledge and network with other solicitors and small business owners in similar situations,” said Mr McElwee.
Probate was among the eight topics addressed at this year’s Midland General Practice Update 2019.
The conference was addressed by probate expert, Richard Hammond, of Hammond Good Solicitors.
“We were lucky to have Richard Hammond, of Hammond Good Solicitors, Mallow join us at this year’s conference to provide the essential probate updates for 2019,” said Mr McElwee.
“Probate will affect every person at some stage of their life. If you are over 18 years of age, it is important to make a will at the earliest opportunity. Although a difficult subject to address, making a will, and keeping it up-to-date, can help to avoid heartbreak and confusion further down the line,” he said. “If you need to make a will, talk to your local solicitor for advice.”
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