WA Emerging Lawyer of the Year
Awarded to a rising star in the legal profession, with less than five years’ PAE, who has shown exceptional promise, leadership, and impact during 2024/25.
Nominees are not required to be members of the Law Society, but they must give their consent to being nominated and must be practising in Western Australia.
The WA Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award is now open for nominations and closes at 5pm on Monday, 18 August 2025.
Award criteria
The award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Promise: Growing influence as a trusted advisor in their practice area.
- Leadership: Demonstrated leadership of people, ideas or resources in the workplace or community.
- Impact: Evidence of improving outcomes for others, such as clients, colleagues or the community.
Judging panel
- The Hon Dr Andrew Lu AM: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Gary Mack: President, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Dr Michael Douglas: Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
- Thomas Coltrona: Associate, Bennett
Important dates
- Nominations open on Friday, 11 July 2025.
- Nominations close at COB on Monday, 18 August 2025.
- Unfortunately, late submissions cannot be accepted.
- Award winners will be announced at the Law Society’s 2025 Gala Awards Evening on Friday, 7 November 2025. Click here for more information.
Further information
Contact Member Services on (08) 9324 8692 or email membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Previous award recipients
Emerging Lawyer of the Year - Practitioner with less than five years experience
- 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
