The Law Society has retained Odgersberndtson Recruitment Consultants  to assist and advise in the executive search process for a new Director General, to replace current leader Ken Murphy who has decided to retire on 22 March 2021,  the date of 65th birthday.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1 February, 2021, and any interested parties, including solicitors, are invited to apply.

Law Society President James Cahill has established a Director General Recruitment Steering Committee, chaired by immediate past-president Michele O’Boyle.

The committee placed an advertisement in the Irish Times on 8 January, 2021.

'Substantial change'

The advertisement stated that the Law Society is facing substantial change and re-orientation with a growing diversity of practice (including work type) in the profession.

This points to the need for adjustments in the type of membership support and representation provided to members.

The transformative impact of new technologies on how legal practices operate, driven by the pandemic, will also require insight, guidance and expertise from the Law Society leadership.

Strategic planning

The new Director General will lead change, manage multiple stakeholders, and deliver on the Law Society long-term strategic planning, the committee says.

In its advertisement the committee sets out the following:

“The Law Society is at a point in its evolution where it is facing substantial change and re-orientation. It is clear that the growing diversity of practice (including work type) in the profession points to the need for adjustments in the type of membership support and representation provided to members. We expect the Society to provide guidance to assist us meeting our evolving compliance and regulatory obligations.

"Although there has been progress on an increased focus on membership support/representation and the creation of a public/policy affairs function, these areas and other core functions of the Society namely, to educate and regulate require further improvement to meet the challenges and opportunities for the future.

"In addition, we have all seen over the last 12 months the transformative impact of new technologies on how legal practices operate and, this requires insight, guidance and expertise from the Society to us, its members.

Competencies

"Over the last number of  weeks the Director General Recruitment Steering Committee have identified the key responsibilities and the key competencies and personal characteristics that are essential and desirable for a Director General who, will have all of the responsibilities vested in a chief executive.

"We are seeking to appoint a Director General who will lead change, manage multiple stakeholders, and deliver on the Law Society long-term strategic planning."

For those interested, further details are set out in the published advertisement.