LSC Welcomes New CEO and Commissioner

Media release issued 10 October 2017

Megan Pitt has taken the reins as Legal Services Council (LSC) Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner for Uniform Legal Services Regulation following the departure of inaugural CEO and Commissioner, Dale Boucher on 29 September 2017.

Megan formerly led the Sydney office of the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) as its Director for over 20 years, before taking on this dual role based in Sydney.

As a lawyer of 34 years standing, Megan has a strong background in Commonwealth litigation and legal practice management. In her former role, she has been responsible for the leadership, management and business development of AGS Sydney and has worked closely with many in-house lawyers and clients across Australia. She has been the national manager of AGS's pro-bono practice and convenor of AGS' national network of the General Counsel of Corporate Commonwealth Entities. As chair of the Australian Government Leadership Network (NSW), Megan has worked with Commonwealth agencies to provide leadership development opportunities for employees, and to link Commonwealth agencies together in NSW. 

LSC Chair, the Hon Michael Black AC QC, said that the Council was delighted to welcome its new CEO and Commissioner for Legal Services Regulation.

"Ms Pitt brings to the offices of CEO and Commissioner a wealth of experience in leadership in senior executive roles and of national legal practice, as the former head of the Australian Government Solicitor in New South Wales.

"The Council looks forward to working with Ms Pitt in the next phase of the Uniform Law's development nationally," Mr Black said.

In taking on this appointment, Megan said she is committed to promoting the benefits of the Uniform Law and continuing to strengthen links between the LSC, local regulatory bodies, the legal profession and consumers in the Uniform Law states, NSW and Victoria, as well as reaching out to non-Uniform Law jurisdictions.

"I believe the Uniform Law is the future of the legal profession in Australia as it provides significant benefits for the legal profession, consumers and government, which are evident in NSW and Victoria currently. This will only be enhanced by its national implementation, which will move us closer towards a unified Australian legal profession," Ms Pitt said.

"Through my experience in a national legal organisation, I am familiar with the different perspectives that exist and the sensitivities that can emerge in the context of bringing about national change. I am very conscious of the importance of listening to, and taking into account the views of all interested parties, as the Uniform Law develops. My hope is that we will be welcoming other States and Territories into the scheme before too long," she said.

Together, the Legal Services Council and Commissioner for Uniform Legal Services Regulation oversee the implementation of the Legal Profession Uniform Law scheme; a regulatory framework for Australian legal practitioners.

Ms Pitt's five year term officially commenced on 3 October 2017.