Join us for an amazing opportunity to learn about Trauma Informed Practice presented by the BLA's very own Dr Felicity Gerry KC.   This session will cover the following topics: * Court adjustments and use of intermediaries for complainants, witnesses, and accused persons. * Defending victims of coercive control accused of serious crime * Caring for and valuing yourself as a lawyer    About Dr Felicity Gerry KC Dr Felicity Gerry KC is a trial and appellate lawyer at the VicBar living near Bendigo but also admitted in England and Wales. She is on the list of counsel in the ICC and the KSC in The Hague and the DIFC in Dubai and has had ad hoc admission in Hong Kong, Gibraltar, and the Cook Islands. She specialises in trauma informed practice in serious crime (including homicide, terrorism, war crimes, and corporate crimes) and was part of the Advocate’s Gateway two decades ago when the use of intermediaries for vulnerable people was developed. She holds a Masters in International Governance (modern slavery thesis) and a PhD on trafficked women who commit crime which includes research on trauma informed courts. She authors Bourke’s Criminal Laws of Victoria on Modern Slavery, Sex Work, Compensation and Animal Law and is a Senior Consultant for Lawyers Without Borders.    Location: Bendigo Law Courts - Jury Pool Room level 2 When: 4 August 2026 at 1pm - est 1.5 hour session Food and refreshments to be provided

Join us for an evening of networking with fellow young lawyers and law students at the Rifle Brigade Hotel. Hosted upstairs at the Rifle Brigade, this event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers, build professional relationships, and share experiences and insights with others at the beginning of their legal careers. Whether you’re a law student looking to meet practitioners, a graduate lawyer finding your feet, or an early-career professional wanting to expand your network, we would love to see you there. The Bendigo Law Association will be providing food and your first drink, so come along, enjoy a relaxed evening, and get to know the local legal community.

Participants in the 2026 Mentoring Program are invited to attend our launch event on 9 July 2026 at The Social from 5pm. We encourage all participants to attend and meet with their partners and other members of the program. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. Please RSVP by Monday 6 July 2026.

Welcome Members! Please join us for a drink after work on 4 June 2026 from 5pm at the Black Swan Hotel. Each member's first drink will be provided courtesy of the BLA. Food will also be provided. Please register to confirm your attendance. 

Complex Lodgements with Land Use Victoria Presentation of Case Studies with Mr Bob Quayle, formerly of Quayles Lodging Agents - Adverse Possession & NICO Subdivisions. The Seminar will run through 2 complex case studies and pick up on a viarety of considerations when undertaking complex lodgements with the Titles Office. There will be time for general questions, and this will be a special opportunity to learn from someone with lifetime's experience with lodging all manner of dealings with the Titles Office.   This session is a must for anyone who transacts with the Titles Office. Supoort staff and non-lawyers are welcome. Each member will be entitled to 2 additional tickets for non-lawyers. 

Please join us for the 2026 Bendigo Law Association Annual General Meeting. 6:00pm onwards 15 April 2026 The Rifle Brigade Hotel - Brewery Room Food provided   Please RSVP via the event link by 8 April 2026 All Proxies must be provided no later than 24 hours before commencement of the meeting

Please join us to celebrate the opening of the 2026 legal year. Catering to be provided. More information to come. 

Members are invited to attend a CPD session on the changes to the committal process in crime. The amendments will come into operation on 28 December 2025. The session will be presented by Magistrate Huynh and Magistrate Williams at the Bendigo Law Courts. 

The function will be headlined by none other than Bendigo Legal Alumni Dennis Johanson, taking his famous ‘Legal Eagles on the Goldfields’ Walking Tour. Walk will be followed by drinks and nibbles as we head into the silly season. Location and details of the walk to follow as the date approaches.

Members are invited to attend the BLA CPD Session: Sale and Purchase of Business. This session will be presented by experienced local lawyer and partner at Beck Legal Daniel Cole.  The session will be held on 27 November 2025 from 9am until 10.30am at Beck Legal, 177 View Street, Bendigo.  Daniel will present to members on how to navigate clients on all sides of a transaction. This session will touch on buying and selling in the right legal structures having regard to the nature of the intended transaction and the importance of being part of the negotiations, undertaking practicable due diligence and what to look for, tax considerations and implications, tips to structuring deals to mitigate risks for buyers, importance of key terms in contracts and what to consider post the transaction. There are 25 spots available for this event. We encourage you to register via this link as soon as possible to avoid missing out. 

Dear Members, The Bendigo Law Association is pleased to invite you to attend a reception for Her Honour Judge Boymal during the upcoming Bendigo Circuit of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The reception will take place on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at The Courthouse Hotel in Bendigo. Drinks and nibbles provided. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Bendigo Law Association Annual Dinner will be held on Friday 14th November 2025.  The Dinner will be held at Silks Events and Functions from 6.30 p.m. This year Greg Barns SC will be attending as a guest speaker at the Dinner. Greg Barns SC practices at the Tasmanian, Western Australian and Victorian Bars.  He specialises in criminal law, administrative law and institutional abuse litigation. Greg practiced at the Victorian Bar from 1986-1989 and then worked as a political adviser until 1999 when he ran the Republic Referendum campaign.  He has been back in practice since 2003.  Greg ran the Australian campaign to free Julian Assange and is a director of the newly formed Information Rights Project.  He is a former National President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.  He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and teaches in the RMIT University Law program. Attendance is complimentary for all BLA members (paid and first-year). All paid members have a complimentary attendance for one partner.  Any first-year member partners must pay a fee of $125 if they wish to attend. There is a limited number of these tickets avaliable.  At this stage, there are no tickets avaliable for non-members, other than first year member partners.  Dinner and drinks are included.  Dress code for the event is formal/cocktail.  Silks Events and Functions is located at Bendigo Racecourse, Heinz St, Bendigo VIC 3550 Please ensure you include any dietary requirements when confirming your attendance.  Please RSVP by no later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 31 October 2025