The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has appointed its first female president as part of a new leadership team at the organisation.

In-house solicitor Alison Kellett will serve as president, director of the SDT board and a member of tribunal’s policy committee for an initial term of three years. She replaces outgoing president Edward Nally who has completed his second and final term.

Kellett joined the tribunal in 2015 and previously served as its vice-president. Away from the SDT, she works as head of global dispute resolution for the UK and Channel Islands for financial institution BNP Parabis, and previously completed more than 10 years in private practice.

Kellett said: ‘To become the first woman to lead the tribunal is a great honour. I am quite sure the next three years will bring new challenges which I am very much looking forward to tackling along with the rest of the board.

‘A key focus for me will be to welcome and integrate the new members of the tribunal who will be joining us later this year, and who will continue to bring greater diversity to the organisation to better reflect the make-up of our profession.’

Following Kellett’s election, Paul Lewis has been appointed as SDT solicitor vice-president. Lewis will also serve as a director of the board and as member of the SDT policy committee for three years. Current vice-president Stephanie Brown was re-elected for a second and final three-year term.

Officers are elected by tribunal members with the president chosen through a simple majority vote. The president’s position is paid £10,000 per year.

Topics