That Ethics Guy says thanks and goodbye...for now.

Yes folks, after four years, two sets of conduct rules, hundreds of seminars and a lot of fun, it's time for me to hand over the QLS Centre for Lawyers' Ethics to others.

I'm proud of what we have achieved both in Queensland and nationally. QLS is well placed to offer the kind of principled leadership that the profession and the public is looking for. I've been lucky to work with some outstanding people - the kind of folk that inspire you to be a better person as much as a better lawyer. I won't embarrass anyone by naming them, but my colleagues at the Centre fall into that category, as do the members of the QLS Ethics Committee.

Our Council too has had to take some principled stands on ethical issues lately and has been prepared to stand alone to ensure the kinds of standards that make you proud to be a lawyer. It took courage and I was proud to be associated with them.

I have also had the joy of meeting hundreds of practitioners all over Australia and it heartens me to see that as a profession, lawyers are overwhelmingly committed to doing what's right - and beyond that, giving so much time and passionate commitment to their clients and the community generally. Most of us became lawyers to make a difference - and most of us do!

So till we meet again - thanks to all of you that I've worked with and met. I'm a better person for knowing you.

Be good!

Neil