WA Government Lawyer of the Year Award
The Law Society’s WA Government Lawyer of the Year Award recognises a lawyer working in a government department, body or agency (Commonwealth, state or local) who has made a significant contribution to public service 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 Legal Innovation of the Year Award is open for nominations.
Award criteria
The Award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Leadership: Driver of improvement, innovation or excellence within government.
- Impact: Made a significant contribution to government work with tangible benefits for internal or external stakeholders.
- Public Service: Demonstrable commitment to public service in upholding the rule of law.
Judging panel
Clare Thompson SC, Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
Kelli King, Director Legal Services, Economic Regulation Authority
Isabel Inkster, Councilor, The Law Society of Western Australia
Darren Foster GAICD, Former Director General
Toby Browne- Cooper, Managing Director, Oryx Communities
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
