Appointments confirmed at first Board meeting

New members welcomed and appointments confirmed at Legal Practice Board first 2025 meeting

The first 2025 meeting of the Legal Practice Board held on Thursday 3 April welcomed the new WA Attorney General and six Board members successful in the 2025 election.

Board Chairperson John Syminton welcomed ex-officio member the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, and the newly elected Board members; three newly elected and three existing members returning.

The new members are Nicholas van Hattem, Jennifer Thornton and Kate Turtley-Chappel. The three re-elected members are Amy Pascoe, Patricia Femia and Rebecca Heath.

• John Syminton and Karen Farley SC were re-appointed unopposed as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively.
• Robert Wilson and John Syminton were confirmed as Convenor and Deputy Convenor of the Admissions and Registration Committee.
• John Syminton was confirmed as Convenor of the Management Committee.
• Lindsay Fox SC was confirmed as Convenor, and Amy Pascoe appointed as Deputy Convenor, of the Professional Affairs Committee.
• John Syminton was confirmed Convenor, and Rebecca Heath was confirmed Deputy Convenor, of the Professional Development Committee.
• Joseph Garas SC was confirmed Chairperson, and Geoff Bourhill SC was confirmed Deputy Chairperson, of the Legal Services and Complaints Committee.

The following members were appointed to Board Committees:

• Karen Farley SC - Management Committee
• Nicholas van Hattem - Professional Affairs Committee and Management Committee
• Jennifer Thornton - Professional Affairs Committee
• Kate Turtley-Chappel - Legal Services and Complaints Committee.

Pictured below:
The first 2025 meeting of the Board following the election: (from left) Legal Services and Complaints Officer Russell Daily, Nicholas van Hattem, Chairperson John Syminton, Executive Director Libby Fulham, Executive Officer Molly Thomson, Robert Owen SC, Rebecca Heath, Jennifer Thornton, Lindsay Fox SC and Amy Pascoe. Attending remotely: the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, Karen Farley SC (Deputy Chairperson), Michael Sims SC, Bill Keane SC, Tim Russell SC, Clinton Russell SC, Maria Fifield, Kate Turtley-Chappel and Jonathan Leek.