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.
Congratulations to our 2025 winner:
Nancy Zhao
Nancy Zhao is a strategic legal advisor and an inclusive and collaborative leader. She has swiftly become a trusted advisor at Gold Corporation, guiding the organisation through its most complex and high-stake matters. Transitioning from a property lawyer to a versatile in-house counsel, Nancy now advises across diverse business areas—including Retail, Tourism, Marketing, State Batteries, Corporate Affairs, Security, Sustainability and Environment, and Risk and Financial Crime Compliance. Her ability to provide practical, commercially aligned legal advice makes her a key contributor to both compliance and strategic decision-making.
A standout feature of Nancy’s work is her integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into legal strategy. She ensures that legal advice not only meets regulatory requirements but also aligns with broader business and stakeholder values. Her impact was formally recognised when she was awarded the University of Sydney and UN Women’s prestigious MBA Leadership Scholarship—typically awarded to senior executives. This honour reflects her commitment to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and Empowerment.
Beyond her corporate role, Nancy is a committed community leader. As a founding executive of the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce Youth Committee, she fosters cross-cultural exchange and youth entrepreneurship. In her five-year tenure as Chair of the Student Affairs Sub-Committee of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA), she launched the AALA Junior’s Guide, the association’s first national publication for law students and junior lawyers.
Nancy’s passion for equity extends through her mentoring work. She volunteers with organisations such as AALA, the Young Lawyers Society, Curtin Law School, the Harding Miller Education Foundation, and the Kaleidoscope Initiative to support students, migrants, and early-career professionals.
Nancy’s leadership is grounded in action—she empowers others, fosters inclusion, and contributes meaningfully to fairer and more diverse legal and workplace systems.
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 2025
- 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
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
