Law Institute of Victoria
The professional association representing solicitors and supporting legal practice in Victoria, Australia.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) is the professional association for solicitors in the Australian state of Victoria. Founded in Melbourne in 1859 by 26 solicitors, it has developed from a professional society into a major representative, educational and rule-making institution for the Victorian legal profession. Its activities include representing solicitors before governments and other bodies, contributing to law reform and professional policy, supporting standards of practice, providing professional information and education, and publishing material for the legal sector. The institute's historical role has included participation in the regulation of legal practice. The Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 formally confirmed the LIV's role as the regulating body for the profession in Victoria, and by 1948 almost all Victorian solicitors were members. Later legislative changes replaced that framework: the Legal Practice Act 1996 superseded the 1946 legislation, and the Legal Profession Act 2004 became the principal Victorian statute governing the legal profession. The institute's regulatory and representative functions should therefore be understood in the context of a wider statutory and professional framework rather than as the sole modern regulator of every aspect of legal practice. The LIV has maintained a visible publishing and knowledge-sharing function. Its principal publication, the Law Institute Journal (LIJ), began in July 1927 and is issued on a bi-monthly basis. The journal covers developments affecting legal practice, including changes to professional and court rules, legal policy and commentary on issues of interest to the profession. The institute also provides member-facing professional services and continuing education, although the specific current product portfolio and service structure may change over time. The organisation has occupied several Melbourne locations. It initially operated from Collins Street, moved to the law courts complex in Lonsdale Street in 1883, and later relocated to Little Bourke Street in 1961. A fire destroyed the Little Bourke Street building in 1978, after which the institute moved to 470 Bourke Street. In 2019 it moved its offices and member facilities to Level 13, 140 William Street, Melbourne. The LIV has also reflected broader changes within the legal profession. Flos Greig, admitted as a solicitor in Victoria in 1905, became the institute's first female member shortly afterwards. Gail Owen became the first woman to serve as LIV president in 1991. The institute joined the Law Council of Australia as a constituent member in 1933, linking it to the national representative structure for Australian legal bodies. Today, the LIV is best understood as a Victorian professional association and institutional voice for solicitors. It is not a publicly listed company, consumer retail brand or conventional law firm. Its public identity is built around professional representation, legal education, practice guidance, advocacy, publications and participation in the development of the Victorian justice system. The organisation's historical development was documented in Simon Smith's 2019 book, "Solicitors and the Law Institute in Victoria 1835–2019: Pathway to a Respected Profession."
History
The Law Institute of Victoria was established on 22 March 1859, when 26 solicitors met in Melbourne to create a professional association for the state's legal practitioners. David Ogilvy became its first president. During its early years the institute was based in Collins Street. In 1883 it moved to the law courts complex in Lonsdale Street, placing the organisation close to the institutional centre of Victorian legal practice. The institute's history unfolded alongside the gradual expansion and professionalisation of the Victorian legal profession. Flos Greig became the first woman admitted to practise as a solicitor in Victoria in 1905 and soon afterwards became the first female member of the institute. This marked an early point in the participation of women in the organisation, although broader equality within the profession developed over a much longer period. In 1927 the LIV began publishing the Law Institute Journal. The journal became an important professional communication channel, reporting on practice and court-rule changes and providing commentary on legal issues. In 1933 the LIV became a constituent member of the newly formed Law Council of Australia. This connected the Victorian institute with the national structure representing Australian legal professionals. Its domestic regulatory importance was formally recognised by the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946, which confirmed the institute's role as the regulating body for the legal profession in Victoria. By 1948, membership had expanded to include almost all solicitors in the state. The institute's statutory environment changed over subsequent decades. The Legal Practice Act 1996 replaced the 1946 legislation, and the 1996 Act was later repealed and replaced by the Legal Profession Act 2004. These changes reflected the evolution of professional regulation and the legal services framework in Victoria. The LIV continued to combine professional representation with education, guidance, policy participation and member support. The organisation also experienced changes in leadership and institutional identity. Gail Owen became its first female president in 1991. The organisation's former presidents have included Alfred Brooks Malleson, Arthur Palmer Blake, John Gavan Duffy, Sir Arthur Robinson, William Slater, Bernard Teague and John Cain II. John Cain, the son of former Victorian premier John Cain, served as chief executive from 2002 to 2006. Michael Brett Young then held the chief executive role for eight years, until 2015. Nerida Wallace succeeded him and left the position in July 2018. Adam Awty, who had previously spent 18 years at CPA Australia, initially served in an interim capacity before being appointed permanently later in 2018. Physical premises have been another part of the institute's institutional history. It moved to Little Bourke Street in 1961, but a fire destroyed that building in 1978. The LIV subsequently moved to 470 Bourke Street, a site associated with the first meeting of the Victorian Legislative Council on 13 November 1851. In 2019 it relocated to Level 13, 140 William Street, where it established its contemporary offices and member facilities. In 2019 the institute published Simon Smith's "Solicitors and the Law Institute in Victoria 1835–2019: Pathway to a Respected Profession," providing a dedicated account of the history of solicitors and the institution. The LIV remains a professional body for Victorian solicitors, combining advocacy, professional development, practice information, publishing and engagement with governments and other legal institutions.
- 2019
Move to William Street
[1]The LIV moved its offices and member facilities to Level 13, 140 William Street, Melbourne.
- 2004
New legal profession legislation
[1]The Legal Profession Act 2004 replaced the Legal Practice Act 1996 as the principal legislative framework identified in the institute's history.
- 1996
Legal Practice Act replaces earlier framework
[1]The Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 was replaced by the Legal Practice Act 1996.
- 1991
First female president
[1]Gail Owen became the first woman to serve as president of the institute.
- 1978
Fire destroys Little Bourke Street premises
[1]A fire destroyed the institute's building, prompting a move to 470 Bourke Street.
- 1961
Move to Little Bourke Street
[1]The institute relocated its premises to Little Bourke Street.
- 1948
Near-universal solicitor membership
[1]Almost all solicitors in Victoria had become members of the institute.
- 1947
Statutory role confirmed
[1]The Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 formally confirmed the institute's role in regulating the Victorian legal profession.
- 1933
Joins the Law Council of Australia
[1]The LIV became a constituent member of the newly formed Law Council of Australia.
- 1927
Law Institute Journal begins publication
[1]The first issue of the Law Institute Journal was published in July.
Products and positioning
A state-based professional institution serving Victorian solicitors through representation, professional education, practice information, publications and participation in legal-policy development.
Professional publication · 1927
Law Institute Journal
A bi-monthly journal published by the institute since July 1927. It communicates developments relevant to Victorian legal practice, including changes to professional requirements and court rules, together with commentary on legal and policy issues.
Professional development
Continuing legal education
Education and professional-development activities intended to help solicitors maintain and extend their legal knowledge, practice capabilities and awareness of developments affecting the profession.
Member service
Professional representation
Representation of Victorian solicitors in discussions with governments, regulators and other bodies, including participation in legal-policy and law-reform matters.
Professional resource
Practice information and guidance
Information and guidance supporting solicitors in understanding professional obligations, practice developments, court procedures and changes to the legal environment.
Brand decisions
2019
Relocation to a new Melbourne headquartersStrategyBackground
The institute had occupied several Melbourne locations, including premises affected by a major fire in 1978 and later offices at 470 Bourke Street.
Action taken
The LIV moved its offices and member facilities to Level 13, 140 William Street.
Aftermath
The relocation established the institute's documented contemporary base in central Melbourne.
2018
Appointment of Adam Awty as chief executiveOtherBackground
Nerida Wallace left the chief executive role in July 2018 after leading the institute from 2015.
Action taken
Adam Awty first served in an interim capacity and was appointed chief executive on a permanent basis later in the year.
Aftermath
The appointment brought an executive with a long prior career at CPA Australia into the institute's senior leadership.
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