WA Lawyer of the Year
Awarded to a lawyer with more than five years’ PAE who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, the community, and/or the practice of law during 2024/25 or recent years.
Winners will be announced at the Law Society’s 2025 Gala Awards Evening on Friday, 7 November 2025. Click here for more information.
Congratulations to our 2025 finalists:
Dr Rob Guthrie
Dr Rob Guthrie’s career demonstrates a legacy of legal excellence and community justice. His contributions to Western Australia’s legal system span decades and have left an indelible mark on both legal scholarship and access to justice. He has authored over 100 academic papers and was the founding author of LexisNexis Workers Compensation WA, a leading practitioner text. His major policy reports on workers’ compensation have shaped government reform, and his work as a tribunal member has contributed to the development of jurisprudence in commercial law, social security, and criminal injuries compensation—impacting outcomes for thousands across WA.
Rob’s commitment to justice extends far beyond academia and policy. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening WA’s community legal sector through decades of pro bono service, governance leadership, and training. Organisations such as Circle Green, Women’s Legal Service WA, SCALES and Street Law have benefited from his expertise, helping to ensure that vulnerable people facing workplace exploitation, family and domestic violence, homelessness, or criminal injuries receive high-quality legal support. His work has enhanced both the reach and capacity of these services, building a more accessible and just system.
Rob’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals is equally impactful. For over a decade, he has provided training, support, and supervision to students and early-career lawyers at SCALES, fostering their confidence and ethical commitment. He continues to deliver training and mentoring to Street Law and Women’s Legal Service WA, where he is praised for his generosity, practical wisdom, and collaborative spirit.
Rob exemplifies a lifelong commitment to the values of justice, fairness, and community service. His legal scholarship, policy influence, and practical support for the community legal sector leave a powerful legacy—one that continues to shape the legal profession and ensure greater access to justice for all Western Australians.
Cav. Maria Saraceni
Cav. Maria Saraceni’s career demonstrates sustained excellence, leadership and mentorship. She has long been recognised for her sustained excellence in the legal profession, most recently acknowledged in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended Employment and WHS Barrister. Her practice spans decades, with leadership roles including Partner at both a major WA firm and an international law firm, leading teams in employment, industrial relations, and workplace health and safety law.
In 2024, Maria was appointed an Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law, where she mentors students and presents on legal practice. In 2025, she joined ECU’s Law Consultative Committee, providing strategic advice to ensure courses remain contemporary and future-ready, particularly in light of technological and regulatory change.
Maria’s commitment of service and excellence includes recognition as Avvocato di Fiducia by the Italian Consulate for assisting Italian nationals in WA’s legal system. In 2024, she supported the family of a young Italian man killed in a workplace incident, liaising with authorities with compassion and professionalism; her contributions as Director of Law Access (2015–21) and Chair of 100 Women Limited (2019–20); recipient of the Cavaliere honour from the Italian Government (2017) for her contribution to the Italian community; her appointment as People of Australia Ambassador by the Department of Home Affairs (2012) for advancing multiculturalism; and her contributions as Past President of the Law Society of WA (2006–07) and Director of the Law Council of Australia.
Maria’s mentorship is quiet yet powerful. She supports mentees through formal programs and confidential guidance, particularly helping lawyers navigate workplace challenges with empathy and discretion. Her contributions—often unseen—have left a lasting impact on individuals and the broader legal profession in WA.
Paula Wilkinson
Paula Wilkinson is a champion of family law, justice reform, and mentorship. She is a widely respected leader in family law, consistently recognised in the Doyle’s Guide as a Pre-eminent and Recommended Family and Divorce Lawyer, as well as in Parenting, Custody, and Children’s Matters. In 2024, she was awarded Life Membership by the Family Law Practitioners Association (FLPA), acknowledging her outstanding service and contribution to the profession.
Paula has served on the Law Society of Western Australia’s Council for over a decade, including as President in 2024. She continues to serve as Immediate Past President and on the Executive, where she has led high-impact advocacy on critical justice issues, including increased legal assistance for people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence; sustainable funding for WA’s 26 community legal centres; investment in justice infrastructure, including courts and prisons; implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations; closing Unit 18 and refurbishing Banksia Hill; ending the detention of children under 18 as a first response, particularly for Aboriginal youth; and the establishment of a Judicial Commission for WA.
Paula’s commitment to legal education is exceptional. She regularly presents for the Law Society, FLPA, STEP, and universities, and has authored papers on ethics, trial preparation, property matters, and trust law. Since 2015, she has helped shape professional standards through the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Committee, mentoring candidates and broadening specialist accreditation.
Her commitment to access to justice spans decades, including service with Legal Aid WA, Law Access, and community legal centres. She has mentored women in law since the 1990s, and continues to support the profession through CPD delivery, College of Law teaching, and informal mentoring.
Paula’s practice, leadership, and advocacy have created lasting change for the profession and community, particularly for women and vulnerable clients.
Award criteria
The award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Sustained excellence: Record of achievement and leadership.
- Legacy: Influence on legal institutions, education, jurisprudence or reform.
- Mentorship: Significant role in guiding or supporting the next generation of legal professionals.
Judging panel
- Clare Thompson SC: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
- The Hon Dr Andrew Lu AM: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Gary Mack: President, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Elizabeth Woods, Deputy Chief Magistrate
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
Lawyer of the Year - Practitioner with more than five years experience
- 2024 – David Davidson
- 2023 – Tom Monks
- 2022 – Funmi Adesina
- 2021 – Peter Le
- 2020 – Lucy Dickens
- 2019 – Dr Carolyn Tan
- 2018 – Haley Allan
- 2017 – Simon Creek and Nicholas van Hattem
- 2016 – Claire Rossi and Glen McLeod
- 2015 – John Fiocco
- 2014 – Melanie Cave
- 2013 – Thomas Percy QC
- 2012 – Denis McLeod and Clare Thompson
- 2011 – Shayla Strapps and Amanda Goodie
- 2009 – Steven Penglis
- 2008 – Dr Johannes Schoombee
