WA In-House Counsel of the Year Award
Awarded to a legal professional who made a significant contribution to the success of their organisation or in-house team.
Congratulations to our 2025 winner:
Katherine Whitehead
Katherine Whitehead is a transformational in-house counsel driving governance, culture, and community impact. In 2024–2025, Katherine led a comprehensive overhaul of Crown Perth’s legal and board governance systems, playing a pivotal role in its transformation journey. Stepping into the role of General Counsel with a clear purpose—to help restore Crown Perth to the vibrant and trusted entertainment destination it was in 1985—Katherine brought structure, accountability, and integrity to legal operations at a time of intense regulatory scrutiny.
She oversaw legal endorsement of key remediation and compliance initiatives, including updates to regulatory, gaming, and risk management frameworks. Her work ensured Crown met its legislative obligations and ultimately contributed to the casino retaining its licence without conditions. Katherine also led legal education and governance reforms, equipping the board and leadership with a clear understanding of their obligations under evolving laws, including those relating to WHS, privacy, cyber security, and the positive duty to prevent workplace misconduct.
Recognised with Crown’s 2024 Shine Award for Service Excellence, Katherine introduced a partnership-centric legal model that transformed the legal team’s approach from reactive to strategic. This shift not only enhanced legal service delivery but also reduced litigation costs, supported early dispute resolution, and embedded legal risk mitigation across the business.
As a member of the Crown Perth Executive team, Katherine champions commercial outcomes, innovation, and cultural renewal. She co-led the creation of a legal mentoring program and launched the Crown Legal Cohort, a knowledge-sharing forum for Crown’s legal professionals. She regularly mentors junior lawyers and advocates for a balanced, values-led approach to legal careers.
Katherine also contributes to the wider profession, including as a panellist at ACC’s WA In-House Counsel Day. She remains committed to social impact, supporting initiatives such as the Salvation Army, Flying Doctor Day, and Telethon—reflecting her belief in law as a tool for both business transformation and community betterment.
Award criteria
The award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Impact: Demonstrated, measurable contribution that strengthened or advanced their organisation or team (for example, improving systems, processes, legal operations, relationships, governance, risk management, or service delivery).
- Strategy: Demonstrated ability to provide practical legal solutions that enabled their organisation to achieve its goals, while balancing legal risk and organisational strategies and objectives (for example by closing deals, overcoming challenges, solving complex problems, or unlocking opportunities).
- Courage: Unwavering commitment to ethical, professional, and legal standards, including acting with integrity and demonstrating leadership in complex or high-stakes situations.
Judging panel 2025
Cav. Maria Saraceni: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
Paula Wilkinson: Immediate Past President, The Law Society of Western Australia
Irene Kuo GAICD: State President, Australian Corporate Counsel, Australia WA Division
Toby Browne-Cooper: Managing Director, Oryx Communities
Important dates
- Nominations open on Friday, 11 July 2025.
- Nominations close at COB on Monday, 18 August 2025.
- Unfortunately, late submissions will not 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 In-House Counsel of the Year
- 2025 – Katherine Whitehead
