Legal Wales elects new Officers
The Board of Legal Wales has elected Jonathan Elystan Rees QC as chair of Legal Wales (having previously served as the Deputy Chair of Legal Wales).
Jonathan has a heavyweight practice in white collar, complex and serious crime, and has been involved in some of the most important authorities on fraud and costs in the criminal courts in recent years. He is a member of Apex Chambers in Cardiff and is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Law Council of Wales.
Commenting on his election Jonathan said: “I am honoured to be elected chair of Legal Wales and I look forward to continue the vision of the founders of Legal Wales as a forum bringing together all elements of the legal community in Wales. I would like to thank Huw Williams for his energetic leadership of Legal Wales during his time in the chair and for his long service to Legal Wales since its inception”.
Huw Williams, who has stepped down after three years in the chair also commented: “When I took over in 2018 I set myself the objectives of providing Legal Wales with a new and expanded website, initiating a scheme to promote access to the legal profession, and enhancing the convening role of Legal Wales through the Legal Wales Conference and other high profile events. A particular high point for me was Legal Wales’s participation in the events arranged to coincide with the first sitting in Wales of the Supreme Court in July 2019. Having substantially achieved my objectives and after being involved with Legal Wales since its inception I decided it was time to hand the baton to the next generation. I am therefore delighted that Jonathan Rees QC has agreed to take on the role and I am sure that Legal Wales continue to flourish under his leadership.”
Frances Edwards has also stepped down as Secretary of Legal Wales after completing her term of office and is succeeded by Elisabeth Velina Jones, the former Chief Legal Adviser to the National Assembly and who has played a leading in role on the Executive Committee in establishing Legal Wales’ partnership with the Lord Edmund-Davies Legal Education Trust.
Keith Bush QC remains in post as the Director of the Legal Wales Conference, pending a search for a successor, but he has been succeeded as Treasurer of Legal Wales by Hannah Menard, Director of Legal & Finance Clinic, South Wales Business School.
Jonathan said “I am most grateful to Elisabeth and Hannah for putting themselves forward for the roles of Secretary and Treasurer and I look forward to working with them. Thanks are due to Fran for her efficiency during her time as Secretary. I am also grateful to Keith Bush for agreeing to continue for the time being as Director of the Legal Wales Conference.”
