The Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association (HAL) comprises Australian lawyers, judicial officers, law students and others who have a Hellenic background, or if not of Hellenic background, are philhellenes. HAL provides opportunities for members to engage in professional activities in an environment that celebrates Hellenic ideals and promotes cultural harmony and diversity.
HAL was launched in the Supreme Court Victoria Library on 11 April 2014 by the Chief Justice of South Australia and National Patron of HAL, Chief Justice Kourakis. In attendance were the Chief Justice of Victoria, Chief Justice Warren, and other eminent jurists and philhellenes from Victoria and interstate.
On 31 October 2014 the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO, launched HAL in South Australia in Old Parliament House.
On 30 January 2015 Chief Justice Robert French AC launched HAL in Queensland in the Supreme Court of that State.
On 9 October 2015 the Northern Territory Chapter of HAL was launched by Chief Justice Riley.
The Tasmanian chapter of HAL was launched on 27 November by Chief Justice Blow OAM, the Tasmanian Patron of HAL.
On 12 February 2016 the Western Australian Chapter of HAL was launched by Chief Justice Wayne Martin AC, the patron of the Chapter.
The launch of HAL in the Australian Capital Territory was held on 15 April 2016. Chief Justice of the ACT, Helen Murrell, is Patron of the ACT Chapter.
On 11 November 2016 the NSW Chapter of HAL was launched by Chief Justice Tom Bathurst AC. The Patron of the NSW Chapter is The Honourable Justice Melissa Perry, Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.
The Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association has now hosted high level educational events in each State and Territory of Australia, having become a truly National Association.
In July 2018 HAL was privileged to host an International Legal Conference in Rhodes Greece.
The Association was honoured that the President of the Hellenic Republic officially opened the Conference.
HAL was also privileged that the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon Susan Kiefel AC, was the Keynote Speaker and that other distinguished jurists and scholars spoke on subjects relating to the theme “Contemporary Legal Issues and the Influence of Hellenism”.
Membership of the Association continues to grow strongly around Australia and HAL is delighted that so many lawyers who are not of Greek background, but are Philhellenes, have become members.
Please read more about the Purposes and Rules of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association.