27 June 2022

Centenary celebrations of Law Society marked with launch of new book

Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lady Chief Justice, James W Russell, James Dorran and Brigid Napier, President

The Great Hall at Parliament Buildings Stormont was the venue for the launch of a new book celebrating one hundred years of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

The publication was officially launched at a ceremony attended by over 120 members of the legal profession and senior members of the judiciary to include the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan.

Those present included Past Presidents of the Law Society, Members of Council, representatives from Local Associations and contributors to the book. There was a particularly warm welcome for James W Russell Solicitor who will be celebrating his own centenary on 18^th November 2022 and James Doran (94) who is the Society’s oldest surviving Past President. Family members of Heather Semple, the Society’s former Librarian and guiding Editor for the publication who had sadly passed away in March 2022, were also present.

During her speech to attendees, the Centenary President of the Society, Brigid Napier, said that one of the Society’s priorities for the Centenary Year had been to publish a commemorative publication which would record the work of the Society and the contribution of its members to the fabric of legal, civil and commercial life in Northern Ireland over the last 100 years.

She also acknowledged the tremendous team effort which had gone into bringing the book to print. To recognise the significant contribution of Heather Semple to the publication, she was pleased to announce that the book had been dedicated to her.

Over coming weeks, each firm of solicitors in Northern Ireland will be receiving a copy of the publication.