Tougher Penalties Not The Answer To ‘Coward Punch’

Maurie is an experienced solicitor of over 40 years' standing. His key skills lie in his ability to negotiate and problem solve. He advises and mentors lawyers in the Stacks group in the areas of insurance, commercial litigation and local government matters, and in the areas of professional indemnity and professional conduct. Maurie was admitted as a solicitor in 1970 and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Sydney. He became a Partner of Stacks Law Firm in 1971, Managing Director in 2003 and Chairman of the Group in 2008. Over the years, he has acted for both corporate and government clients, involving many high profile cases. At the current time, Maurie practises principally in the area of professional indemnity. He has built a thriving practice and has a strong reputation in the industry. In 2003 Maurie received an Order of Australia medal for services to the law. Maurie has been involved in many legal organisations. He is a Past President (1995) and current member of the Law Society of NSW, and was a Councillor for nine years, including six years on the Executive. He is a Past President and current member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance (NSW) and a Past Director of Lawcover Pty Limited. In addition to this, Maurie has chaired and served on numerous committees, including Past Chairman of the Personal Injury Committee, Member Services Committee and Court Liaison Committee (Law Society of NSW), and Past Chairman of the Accident Compensation Committee (Law Council of Australia). Maurie has recently served as a member of a Working Party appointed by the NSW Attorney General to review the law and practice relating to conflict of interest for the legal profession. Outside of legal practice, Maurie has been extremely involved in his local community. He is a past President of the Taree Rotary Club (2008) and current member. He is a past Director of the Manning Base Hospital, and past President of Taree APEX Club and of the Manning Valley Tourist Association. He is currently the coordinator of a local relief effort involving the letting of tenders, negotiation of the building contract and signing off to build a small hospital in Gunungsitoli, Nias, Indonesia. The hospital was opened in May 2008 and stage two of the building is now in progress. Maurie chaired the Fund Raising Committee to outfit the 500 seat Manning Valley Entertainment Centre in 1988 and in 2003 chaired another fund raising committee to construct a $500,000 flytower. The father of four adult children and the grandfather of eight boys, Maurie operates a bed and breakfast retreat with his wife Deidre in Taree. He spends much of his leisure time exploring the Manning and Dawson Rivers by boat, and has taught many a visitor how to water ski. Maurie is also a snow skiing enthusiast and fits a skiing trip into his busy schedule at least once a year, with a preference for Canada. A guitarist and banjo player with a passion for music and an interest in creative writing, Maurie has begun to write a Gilbert & Sullivan inspired, politically themed operetta (watch this space!) Maurie's vast legal experience is of enormous value to both clients and lawyers within the Stacks group.