The Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA) has honoured two former directors with life memberships and awarded its Insurance Law Prize to Thomson Geer Partner Stanley Drummond.

Melbourne barrister Kim Bradey and Sydney Clyde & Co Partner David Lee are the new life members.

AILA National President Cameron Roberts says all three are highly deserving and have made valuable, long-term commitments to advancing AILA.

Ms Bradey served on the National Board for 18 years, including 11 years as national secretary and two as acting treasurer. She was a member of AILA’s Victorian committee for 21 years.

“AILA is a vital voice for the insurance community, one that is impartial and allows a platform for all aspects of the industry, be it loss adjusters, claims managers, underwriters, or lawyers,” she said.

Mr Lee joined the NSW AILA branch in the mid-1980s, not long after AILA was launched, and then became the Association’s NSW treasurer. He joined the National Board in 2007 and spent 10 years as a director, including three as president.

“Being visible among your colleagues is very important, you are part of the conversation. AILA brings people together to work in the best interests of the industry,” he said.

Sydney-based Mr Drummond practices in life insurance, superannuation and financial services regulation and heads up the Life@AILA program, which hosts events for the life insurance industry. He says AILA is important as both an educational and a social platform.

“Everyone who works in insurance needs to know something about insurance law, even if they're not a lawyer,” he said.