A new category has been added to the Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards for lawyers who have provided outstanding services to clients of Legal Aid Western Australia.
Nominations have opened for the 2022 awards, which acknowledge and celebrate pro bono and community legal work in WA.
The new category is open to members of Legal Aid’s private practitioner panels who have made an exceptional contribution assisting disadvantaged people.
Legal Aid calls on hundreds of private lawyers to provide legal services across WA, with 79 per cent of all grants of aid being delivered by private practitioners in 2020-21.
The other award categories include Individual, Not-for-Profit and Legal Firm.
Last year’s Individual Award winner was veteran family lawyer Jon Redman, a co-founder of the Sussex Street Community Law Service.
The Pilbara Community Legal Service won the Not-for-Profit Award and MinterEllison received the Legal Firm Award.
This is the 16th time the awards have been staged.
Previously announced during Law Week, Attorney General John Quigley will present this year’s awards during a gala dinner on September 30.
Legal practices, practitioners and community organisations are invited to nominate candidates. For further information, visit https://www.justice.wa.gov.au/lawaward
Nominations close at 2pm on Friday July 22.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
“It’s always a pleasure to present these awards to those who contribute their time and expertise for the public good in Western Australia.
“Pro bono work ensures underprivileged and vulnerable people in our community can access the legal assistance they need.
“The newest category will recognise the valued work of Legal Aid WA’s private lawyers, without whom the system would not function.
“They do this work at heavily discounted rates and take on some of the most complex clients, often at short notice and in times of crisis.
“I encourage all to nominate a person or organisation for doing exemplary pro bono and community work so they can receive the recognition they deserve.”
