The Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA) has presented life memberships to two former directors, Melbourne barrister Kim Bradey and Sydney lawyer David Lee.
Bradey was a member of AILA's Victorian committee for 21 years. She also served on the national board for 18 years, including 11 years as a national secretary and two as acting treasurer.
Bradey said AILA has remained valuable post-COVID-19 because it provides remote learning and networking opportunities and enables members to share ideas even when they cannot spend time face to face.
“AILA provides this service on a not-for-profit basis, lowering the financial hurdles otherwise associated with online education. Through its extensive network, AILA can access highly experienced speakers across a broad range of subjects,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lee, a partner at Clyde & Co, joined the NSW AILA branch in the mid-1980s, not long after the association was launched. He then became a New South Wales (NSW) treasurer, joined the national board in 2007, and spent 10 years as a director, including three as president.
“People join AILA for personal brand awareness; being visible among your colleagues is very important. You are part of the conversation. AILA brings people together to work in the best interests of the industry,” he said.
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AILA has also honoured Sydney-based lawyer Stanley Drummond with its annual Insurance Law Prize.
A partner at Thomson Geer, Drummond practices in life insurance, superannuation, and financial services regulation. Since 2016, he has been the driving force behind the highly successful Life@AILA program, which hosts events specifically for the life insurance industry. He is also an author and a frequent speaker at seminars and other events convened by the association and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.
Commenting on AILA as an educational and social platform, he said: “I love insurance and the history of insurance law. The modern world couldn't exist without the risk-sharing mechanism of insurance. Everyone who works in insurance needs to know something about insurance law even if they're not a lawyer.”
