Law Week

2020 Lawyer of the Year Awards – Postponed

The Lawyer of the Year Awards recognise practitioners who have made particularly noteworthy contributions to the Western Australian legal profession, over and above what might be reasonably expected through paid legal employment.

The Law Society normally invites members to submit entries to the Lawyer of Year Awards in the first quarter of year, with the nominations and winners being announced at the Law Week Awards Night on the Friday of Law Week each year.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lawyer of the Year Awards and the Law Week Awards Night have been postponed to a later date. We will advise the new date and open nominations when possible. If you have any questions, please contact membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au

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

Sponsored by

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

• Noongar Patrol Outreach Service
• Beyond Blue
• Perth Inner City Youth Service Inc.
• Local Drug Action Group Inc. – Turkey Creek and Warmun Branches

Fundraising Events

Lawyers for a Cause | Charity Quiz Night

Donations

All donations to the Trust are tax deductible. Cheques can be mailed to:

Chief Justice’s Law Week Youth Appeal Trust
c/- The Law Society of Western Australia
Level 4, 160 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000

For more information please call (08) 9324 8600.