18 December 2024

Today, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced that Sam Hay KC has been appointed as the new Chair of the Victorian Legal Services Board. 

Sam has been a member of our Board since May 2023. He is a barrister with over 20 years’ experience across a broad range of commercial, administrative and common law matters, and he regularly appears in Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry. In 2019, he was appointed Senior Counsel. 

Sam is the Chair of Conferences at the Australian Bar Association, and Deputy Chair of Barristers’ Chambers Limited. Previously, Sam served as President of the Victorian Bar Council, and as a member of the Victorian Legal Admissions Committee. 

Sam will succeed Fiona Bennett, who has served as Chair since 2013 and has been a member of our Board since 2008. Sam will commence as Chair from 28 January 2025. 

Board CEO and Commissioner Fiona McLeay warmly welcomes Sam as the new Chair of the Board.  

“I am delighted that Sam Hay KC has been appointed as the new Chair of our Board. Sam’s rich knowledge and wealth of experience will provide sound guidance to our Board in regulating and uplifting Victoria’s legal profession,” Ms McLeay said. 

“After dedicating more than 16 years of service to our Board, our Chair Fiona Bennett has elected to retire from our Board. I was fortunate to work alongside Fiona and I thank her for her wise judgement, enthusiasm and exemplary leadership.”