The Law Society Congratulates New Life Members 

16 November 2022

Congratulations to The Hon Rene Le Miere KC, Greg McIntyre SC, The Hon John McKechnie KC, Theodore (Ted) Sharp and Craig Slater who were each awarded Life Membership of the Law Society at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 15 November 2022. 

Law Society President Rebecca Lee said, “We are pleased to recognise and honour the significant contributions each of these members have made to the Law Society of Western Australia, the legal profession and our community. They are all of the highest calibre, and inspiring role models of true leadership and dedicated service to others.” 

The Hon Rene Le Miere KC 

The Hon Le Miere KC became a member of the Law Society in 1978. His Hon was a member of the Council of the Law Society from 1983 to 1991 and President in 1989 and 1990. 

From 1988 to 1992, The Hon Le Miere KC was a Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia and from 1994 to 2001 a member of the Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee. 

The Hon Le Miere KC was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2004 and the was Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court for seven years before he retired from the Court in 2022. 

Greg McIntyre SC 

Mr McIntyre SC became a member of the Law Society in 1976. He served on the Law Society’s Council from 2009 until 2020 and was President in 2019. 

Mr McIntyre SC is currently the Treasurer of the Law Council of Australia and the 2023 President Elect. He has been Chair of the Australian Environment and Planning Law Group of the Law Council of Australia Legal Practice Section, and a member of various committees and working groups of the Law Council of Australia. 

Mr McIntyre SC was made an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame in 2001 and University of Western Australia in 2016, where he has taught a course on Indigenous Peoples and the Law. He received the Law Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2009. 

The Hon John McKechnie KC 

The Hon McKechnie KC became a member of the Law Society in 1974. He has served on a number of Law Society Committees including the Evidence reform committee, Continuing Professional Development Committee (ceased in 2003) and the Brief Editorial Committee, of which he is a current member having served on the Brief Committee at various times for 20 years.  

In 1999 the Hon McKechnie KC was appointed as a judge of Supreme Court, the last three as the Senior Puisne Judge and Senior Judge General Division.

After 16 years as a judge of Supreme Court he retired in 2015 to take up an appointment as Corruption and Crime Commissioner. His current term expires on 28 June 2026. 

Theodore (Ted) Sharp 

Mr Sharp became a member of the Law Society of Western Australia in 1968. He served on the Law Society Council from 1987 to 1994 and was President in 1993. 

Mr Sharp was an Elected member of the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia from 1995 to 2008. 

In 2001 Mr Sharp received the Western Australian Division of the Australian Property Institute Award for Excellence in recognition of his contribution to the Property Industry. He was also voted by his peers as the inaugural winner of WA Business News Legal Elite Awards in the category of Property Law in 2003. 

Mr Sharp was the founder of the Australia Malaysia Business Council Western Australia, and also held the position of National President of the Australian Malaysian Business Council. 

Craig Slater 

Mr Slater first became a member of the Law Society in 1991. He served on the Council of the Law Society from 2009 to 2014, becoming President in 2013. Mr Slater spent a further two years on the Council between 2020 and 2021. 

Mr Slater has been a member of its Ethics committee since 2008 and has chaired the Quality Practice Standard committee since 2002 and worked with accredited firms towards better practice management, lower claims risks and consistent client services. 

Mr Slater has worked at firms that are now known as King & Wood Mallesons, Hogan Lovells in London, ASIC, DLA Piper and Ashurst before joining Francis Burt Chambers as a Barrister in 2004.