WA Emerging Lawyer of the Year (Under 5 years PAE)
The Law Society’s annual WA Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award presents an opportunity for the profession to nominate a rising star in the legal profession who has shown exceptional promise, leadership and impact during the year.
Nominees are not required to be members of the Law Society, but they must give their consent to being nominated and have been practising in Western Australia.
The WA Lawyer of the Year Award is open for nominations.
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, President, Mental Health Tribunal
- 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, 4 July 2025.
- Nominations close at COB on Friday, 8 August 2025.
- Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Award winners will be announced at the 2025 Gala Awards Evening for the legal profession on Friday, 7 November 2025. Click here for more information.
Further information
For more information regarding the Award, 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
