Community Law Award

The Attorney General's Community Service Law Award is presented annually to a local legal practitioner carrying out pro bono work.

The award recognises legal practitioners who volunteer their time and legal expertise free of charge or at a discounted rate to help others in the community.

Legal practitioners can be nominated by legal practices, practitioners or community organisations.

The Attorney General presents the award as part of Law Week, organised by the Law Society of WA.

Recipients

2013 Winner: David Jenaway

David Jenaway from Herbert Smith Freehills is the recipient of the 2013 Attorney General's Community Service Law Award, in recognition of his commitment to pro bono legal service.

Since 2010, Mr Jenaway has volunteered to handle the day-to-day management of the Herbert Smith Freehills pro bono program.

The role sees him identify pro bono opportunities to assist a range of individuals and not-for-profit organisations who would otherwise be unable to obtain access to legal advice, services and representation.

The finalists for this year's award were Doubleview resident Catherine Eagle of the Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service and Mosman Park sole practitioner Stephen Walker.

2012 Winner: Kylie Groves

Kylie Groves from Squire Sanders is the recipient of the 2012 Attorney General's Community Service Law Award, in recognition of her pro bono legal services.

With more than 14 years experience specialising in the areas of employment and workplace law, Ms Groves has used her skills to provide pro bono legal services to individuals, charitable and not-for-profit organisations who could not bear the burden of large legal costs.

The finalists for this year’s award include Matthew Holgate of Holgate Legal and Richard Klimek from Klimek & Co Family Lawyers.

2011 Winner: Michael Cockram

Michael Cockram is the recipient of the 2011 Attorney General's Community Service Law Award, in recognition of his services to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Mr Cockram specialises in family and estate law, however he provides a broad range of legal advice to people about wills, Powers of Attorney, probate, Family Court documents, personal injury claims, employment contracts, fraud and neighbour disputes.

The finalists for this year's award included Richard Klimek of Klimek and Co Barristers and Solicitors; Gulmina Miocevich of C & G Miocevich Law Offices; and Ian Murray of Blake Dawson.

2010 Winner: Samantha Maddern

Ms Maddern was nominated by Ms Toni Emmanuel of the Employment Law Centre for her volunteer work helping the disadvantaged get a fair deal in the workplace.

The other nominees short-listed were Mr Jaswant Singh Brar, nominated by Ms Julie Burch of Midland Information, Debt and Legal Advocacy Services, Ms Linda Cao, nominated by Ms Diane Annear of the Women's Legal Referral Service, and Ms Terri-Anne Famlonga, nominated by Ms Kate Davis from the Women's Law Centre and also the Gosnells Community Legal Centre.

2009 Winner: Richard Price

Mr Price was nominated by the Youth Legal Service WA for the many hours of pro bono expertise he gave Western Australian youth organisations, including the YLS and the YMCA.

Other nominees short-listed were Ms Frances Veltman, barrister, nominated by Mr Jeffery Claughton of the Fresh Start Recovery Programme and Mr Neville W Marsh, Principal Julienne Penny & Associates, nominated by Ms Lisa Yu of Julienne Penny & Associates.

2008 Winner: Bruce Dodd

Mr Dodd, formerly a partner with Mallesons Stephen Jaques, was nominated by Mallesons’ colleague Mr Laurence Iffla. Mr Dodd has spent more than 20 years carrying out pro bono work. This has included more than 3500 donated hours between 2001 and 2008, estimated to equate to about $1 million in professional legal fees.

Other nominees short-listed were Mr Agostino Irdi of Irdi Legal, nominated by Ms Lisa McCarthy of Irdi Legal, Mr Neville Marsh of Julienne Penny and Associates, nominated by Ms Lisa Craig of Peel Community Legal Services, and Dr Johannes Schoombee of Francis Burt Chambers, nominated by Mr Cameron Poustie of the Environmental Defender’s Office.

2007 Winner: Graham Castledine

Mr Castledine was recognised for his 10 years of community service work, particularly helping asylum seekers and refugees.

Two other nominees shortlisted for the 2007 award were John Cooke of Godfrey Virtue and Co. and Julia Johnston of Calverley Johnston.

Last Updated: 21-May-2013