4 Dec 2025The New South Wales legal profession is mourning the loss of Maurie Stack OAM, a former President of the Law Society of NSW and the driving force behind the expansion of Stacks Law Firm, who passed away overnight.
Current Law Society President Jennifer Ball announced the news today, paying tribute to Stack as a βtrue servant of the justice systemβ and a pivotal figure in the Australian legal landscape.
Stack was a titan of the profession, particularly on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Admitted as a solicitor in 1970, he devoted decades to the rule of law, including dedicated work on various committees of the Law Society and the Law Council of Australia, notably the then Personal Injury, Member Services, and Court Liaison Committees.
His commitment to the profession saw him serve nine years on the Council of the Law Society of NSW, including six years on the Executive Committee. This culminated in his election as President in 1995.
Writing of his βgreat love for this professionβ in his Presidentβs Message in February 1995, Stack highlighted the personal impact of law, recalling how its practice provided his father, despite humble origins, the means to educate his three sons through Law School.
βFor me, it is a matter of immense pride to lead a profession which includes members who service the legal needs of everyone from government and the largest corporations in the land down to the poorest pensioner,β Stack wrote.
βThere is no body in the State, no matter how powerful, and no person in the State so poor who has not at some stage or another had to look to one of our members for advice and assistance.β
Ball highlighted Stackβs governing philosophy during his presidency:
βIn his year as President, Stack adopted the principle that each holder of this office should leave the Law Society βjust a little better than he or she found itβ. His work in that year towards bringing the national profession together fulfilled that commitment.β
In recognition of his distinguished service to both the community and the profession, Stack was grantedΒ Life Membership of the Law Society in 2019.
Beyond his institutional service, Maurie Stack was instrumental in building one of Australiaβs most recognisable law firms.
The firm, originally established by his father, Ray Stack Snr, in Wingham during the Great Depression, had humble beginnings. Maurie became a partner in 1971, working alongside his brothers Ray and Tim.
Under his leadership, becoming Managing Director in 2003 and Chairman of the Group in 2008, the practice grew into a formidable entity. Today, Stacks Law Firm operates across three states and employs more than 250 people.
Ball recalled seeing Stack recently at the Past Presidentsβ Luncheon, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to speak with him before his passing.
βI convey my condolences to Maurieβs family and friends on behalf of the Law Society of NSW and the solicitors of this state,β Ball said. βThe profession has lost a true servant of the justice system, and we celebrate his achievements through a remarkable life of service.β
This article by Henry Ea was first published by the Law Society Journal on 3 December 2025 and is reproduced with permission.
