Attorney General John Quigley has put voluntary legal services back in the spotlight by seeking nominations for awards that celebrate pro bono work.
The Attorney General's Community Service Law Awards this year return to their usual timing during Law Week in May, after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
These honours recognise the legal work being provided for the public good in Western Australia by individuals, legal firms and not-for-profit organisations.
Recent individual winners have included children's lawyer Julia Johnston, pro bono partner Margie Tannock and asylum seeker advocate David Blades.
Estrin Saul Lawyers and Corrs Chambers Westgarth were the inaugural joint winners of the award for legal firms, introduced in 2020 to encourage pro bono work.
The Citizens Advice Bureau of WA and the Consumer Credit Legal Service last year shared the not-for-profit award.
This will be the 15th time the awards have been staged.
The winners will be announced and presented with their awards by the Attorney General at a May 17 Law Week event.
Last year's presentations were held in October in the wake of Law Week being cancelled.
Legal practices, practitioners and community organisations are invited to nominate candidates. For further information, visit http://www.justice.wa.gov.au/lawaward
Nominations close at 2pm on April 20.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"The Community Service Law Awards are a great opportunity to highlight the vital pro bono work being done by the legal community.
"They bring recognition to those who are helping make the justice system fair and equitable for all.
"The vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society are entitled to fully exercise their legal rights and pro bono work helps make that happen.
"I strongly urge individuals, firms and organisations to nominate deserving candidates for these prestigious honours.
"I'm glad to see that Law Week is back this year and look forward to presenting the awards to deserving winners in May."
