Law Week

Law Week Events

Law Week Returns in 2021

We are pleased to advise that Law Week will run from 17 to 21 May 2021. We invite and encourage you to register your community events with the Law Society to help bring the community and legal profession together. Now is the perfect time to think about what you can do to help our community with access to justice and assisting to provide free information, resources and support.

We are looking forward to delivering a bigger and better Law Week with COVID-19 restrictions behind us. If you would like to talk about Law Week 2021, please reach out.

You can register your event now or send your general enquiry by contacting the Law Society’s Membership Team on (08) 9324 8692 or membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au.

With thanks to our Law Week sponsor:

Law Week 2020 hits the right note! – Review

Highlights of the Week

Highlights of the week included the annual Law Access Walk for Justice which successfully became a virtual meeting place of individuals, teams, workplaces, family members and enthusiastic pets, all participating in their own fun way around the State and beyond. The explosion of social media posts and photographs were testimony to people’s delight at being able to come together safely with the uniting purpose of raising funds for prob bono legal services via Law Access, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Law Society of Western Australia.

Access to Justice Online Forum

Another successful event attracting an audience of more than 250 was the Law Society’s Access to Justice in 2020 online forum hosted by Mark Beyer from Business News and live streamed by Business News. This was a wonderful opportunity to hear from leaders in their areas on issues such as the new Pro Bono Model in Western Australia, the effect of COVID-19 on legal processes, mental health, domestic violence, tenancy, and the importance of justice reinvestment. A distinguished panel comprised of the Hon Peter Quinlan, Chief Justice of Western Australia, Nicholas van Hattem, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, Clare Mould, Senior Associate and Pro Bono Coordinator Corrs Chambers Westgarth Perth; Corina Martin, CEO, Aboriginal Family Law Services; Sharryn Jackson, Executive Director, Community Legal WA; and Shayla Strapps, CEO Mental Health Law Centre all provided us with an hour of stimulating discussion, opinion and insights into the role of the law in our community and the importance of access to justice in 2020.

Community Events

Community events included Curtin Law School Clinics Showcase which ran two sessions on Tuesday, 19 May. The Curtin Law School Clinics offer access to justice for vulnerable members of our community and through the supervised work of Clinic students, clients receive pro bono advice and assistance with legal and tax issues. The sessions included students from the John Curtin Law Clinic and Curtin Tax Clinic together with and Rosaline Tan, Principal Lawyer, Annette Morgan, Director and Donovan Castelyn, Clinic Supervisor.

The Corruption and Crime Commission were pleased to make available their recording from 2019 Law Week on a Mock Examination. Viewers could see first-hand what a Commission examination may involve and the internal workings of the procedures.

Law Week activities ended with a focus on regional practitioners who, more than most, understand the isolating impact of distance that can make it more difficult to get together in any one region as a profession. The RRR day is a Law Society annual event during Law Week where regional practitioners usually come to Perth to share collegiality and support, and to learn from each other through tailored Continuing Professional Development. Zoom to the rescue once again ensuring the ‘show still goes on’. This free event for Country members of the Law Society has over 55 participants from all around the State.

Lawyer of the Year Awards

2020 Law Society – Lawyer of the Year Awards Nominations Now Open

The Law Society of Western Australia invites members of the Western Australian legal profession to submit entries to the 2020 Law Society Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Law Society members are invited to nominate a worthy recipient in the categories of Lawyer of the Year (more than five years’ experience) and Lawyer of the Year (less than five years’ experience).

Criteria

The nominee has made a contribution over and above what might be reasonably expected through paid legal employment
The nominee has made a particularly noteworthy contribution to the Western Australian legal profession
The person is an outstanding example to the legal profession
The nominee does not need to be a Law Society member but they must give their consent and have been practising in Western Australia.

Entry closing date

Entries close 5.00pm Friday, 6 November 2020.
Late entries will not be considered.

Further information

Contact Francesca Giglia on (08) 9324 8606 or email fgiglia@lawsocietywa.asn.au

Lawyer of the Year Awards Nomination

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Previous Award Recipients

Practitioner with more than five years’ experience

2019 – Dr Carolyn Tan

2018 – Haley Allan
2017 – Simon Creek and Nicholas van Hattem
2016 – Claire Rossi and Glen McLeod
2015 – John Fiocco
2014 – Melanie Cave
2013 – Thomas Percy QC
2012 – Denis McLeod and Clare Thompson
2011 – Shayla Strapps and Amanda Goodier
2009 – Steven Penglis
2008 – Dr Johannes Schoombee

Practitioner with less than five years’ experience

2019 – Kelsi Forrest

2018 – Tegan Harrington
2017 – Krista McMeeken
2016 – Michael Geelhoed
2015 – Callum Hair
2014 – Jessica Bowman and Stephanie Puris
2013 – Gary Mack
2012 – Tammy Solonec
2011 – Breony Allen
2009 – Toni Emmanuel
2008 – Anna Rakoczy

Chief Justice’s Law Week Youth Appeal Trust

The Chief Justice’s Law Week Youth Appeal Trust was established in 2001 by members of the Law Society with the objective “to create an ongoing charitable fundraising effort by legal practitioners to support youth charities, including (but not limited to) those for youth with disabilities and, in particular, youth support services that assist in diverting youth from the criminal justice system.”

The Trust, to which the late, the Honourable David Malcolm was the inaugural patron, has successfully provided funding to an array of services, charities and specific projects in Western Australia that assist in diverting youth from the criminal justice system.

Beneficiaries of Trust monies have included:

Kimberley / Broome Headspace

Monies from the Trust made possible the Headspace Kimberley Survival Camp on the Dampier Peninsular at Kooljaman. The camp promotes health and wellbeing in a fun environment for young people, as well as delivering education about nutrition, hygiene and fitness, and promoting positive self-esteem and increased feelings of self worth.

The Headspace Kimberley team approached Broome Senior High student service team and asked them to identify students who would benefit most from engaging with Headspace staff. Included in the group of 10 young people were a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students; some were disengaged from school, from remote communities, or displayed behavioural issues or low self-confidence.

Two highly respected local Bardi men, Bundy Chaquebor and Brian Lee, provided cultural activities including spear-making, mud crabbing and learning about local and flora. They also spoke at length about the importance of respect for country, family and pride in where they came from. The five day camp allowed time to address how to communicate effectively, managing emotions, teamwork, and respect for each other and Aboriginal culture.

“I fully respect the Headspace staff and understand the advice they give. It helps me so I don’t react like I used to. I feel comfortable coming into the centre and could easily chat to any of them.” – Camp participant