Queensland Law Society Media Release

QLS Advertising Campaign 2006

A major advertising campaign will be launched next Friday (2 December 2005) by the Queensland Law Society to encourage the community to consult a solicitor for expert advice across a range of business and personal matters, Society President, Mr Rob Davis, said today.

Mr Davis said the campaign, Solicitors - Your Experts in the Law, would be launched by Chief Justice Paul de Jersey at a breakfast attended by senior representatives of the profession in Brisbane.

"This campaign will include billboards on major highways, Brisbane City Council buses and public access areas, brochures and other material and present the message that solicitors should be the first port of call for people with problems and challenges ranging from family and workplace relations issues, contracts, conveyancing and other issues," Mr Davis said.

"The campaign also highlights the great diversity of the profession which includes men and women of every age and virtually every ethnic background and stresses that they are not just experts in their particular areas but friendly and approachable," he said

Mr Davis said it was an unfortunate and regrettable fact of life that some people had old-fashioned conceptions about what a solicitor was or could do and felt somewhat nervous about approaching one.

"Solicitors are bound by the highest ethical standards and their commitment to confidentiality is absolute. We want the public to understand that consulting a solicitor means getting an expert on your side as a guide and advocate," he said.

Mr Davis said people could call the Queensland Law Society if they were seeking to contact a solicitor in their area and who had the necessary expertise to handle any particular problem.

"We encourage both people who consult solicitors and solicitors themselves to be open and upfront with each other, to discuss the particular problem and make sure that fee structures are understood. Our members are keen to have ongoing, mutually respectful relationships with their clients based on a shared approach to problem solving, discretion and trust."

The campaign will be rolled out progressively during 2006.