Do you know someone worthy of recognition?
Our annual Lawyer of the Year Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional contribution of Western Australian legal professionals and shine a light on the depth of talent, innovation, and service across our profession.
In recognition of the diverse work, roles and practice environments across our profession, we offer a broad suite of six award categories. These categories are designed to acknowledge excellence in government, corporate, regional, and innovative practice, as well as honour two outstanding lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the profession overall.
Find out more about each category and meet our recent winners:
Conditions of entry
- Entrants must live and work in Western Australia
- Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by someone else
- The person being nominated must agree to the nomination
- You do not need to be a member of the Law Society to nominate someone or self-nominate
- Nominees agree to have their name and photos published by the Law Society should they reach the awards’ list of finalists.
Selection of award recipients:
- A short-listing process will be conducted by six individual judging panels established by the Law Society of Western Australia. Members of the judging panel for each category can be viewed on the respective nomination forms.
- Each category will have finalists announced, with one of those finalists being named the winner.
- Judging panel decisions will be final, with feedback provided on request.
- The Law Society presents the winners along with the Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards at the Gala Awards Evening.
Further information
Contact Member Services on (08) 9324 8692 or email membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au
Previous award recipients
WA Lawyer of the Year (more than five years' experience)
- 2025 – Dr Rob Guthrie
- 2024 – David Davidson
- 2023 – Tom Monks
- 2022 – Funmi Adesina
- 2021 – Peter Le
- 2020 – Lucy Dickens
- 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 Goodie
- 2009 – Steven Penglis
- 2008 – Dr Johannes Schoombee
WA Emerging Lawyer of the Year (less than five years' experience)
- 2025 – Nancy Zhao
- 2024 – Sophie Coffin
- 2023 – Felicia Chan
- 2022 – Monica Vu
- 2021 – Kendra Turner
- 2020 – Heidi Gan and Hamish Glenister
- 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
WA Legal innovation of the Year
- 2025 – Leave Safe Stay Safe – Redgum Justice & Regional Alliance West
WA Regional Practitioner of the Year
- 2025 – Mark Jeffreys
WA In-House Counsel of the Year
- 2025 – Katherine Whitehead
WA Government Lawyer of the Year
- 2025 – Alison Finn