WA Legal Innovation of the Year Award
Awarded to a legal team that has pioneered an innovative practice, technology, or model of service delivery in the legal sector during 2024/25 that is redefining how law is practised and how services are delivered.
The scope of this category could encompass a range of initiatives, including wellbeing programs, working arrangements, technological innovations and others. It can apply to any individual, team or firm in in the legal sector including those who are not lawyers.
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:
Circle Green Community Legal – Protection Visa and Appeals Legal Service
Circle Green’s humanitarian team has transformed refugee legal services with data-driven model to reduce backlogs and improve outcomes. Led by Katy Welch and Rohini Thomas, has pioneered a transformative, evidence-based approach linking early legal intervention to improved outcomes in Permanent Protection Visa (PPV) matters. Their work demonstrates not only better results for clients, but also a reduction in systemic backlogs—driving meaningful systems change in the refugee legal landscape.
Recognising that the backlog could not be solved by legal services alone, Circle Green designed a radically innovative, data-driven model to address root causes. Their leadership in evaluating service impact has led to national recognition, with their model now being adopted by National Legal Aid.
By collaborating with stakeholders beyond the legal sector—including the Administrative Review Tribunal, legal assistance providers, and multi-disciplinary support services—Circle Green has deepened sector-wide understanding of backlog drivers, enabling more targeted advocacy and reform.
The team’s work focused on delivering a scalable, sustainable service model, with several key innovations including: quality-controlled merit assessment checklist; Specialist Lead for SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics) claims; urgent advice and deadline service; strategic data capture to inform decision-makers; client survey to assess application behaviour after ‘no merit’ advice; sector capacity-building through legal education and training in protection claims, merits review, and judicial review; and evidence-based service design with key data points to measure impact on backlog reduction
Circle Green’s Humanitarian Team has redefined what impactful refugee legal services look like—proving that innovation, rigorous data collection, and cross-sector collaboration can drive real, lasting change in both client outcomes and the broader legal system.
Hamilton Locke
Hamilton Locke’s Da Vinci Program has redefined professional growth by identified the need to challenge traditional approaches to professional development in the legal industry. and responded by creating the Da Vinci Development Program (DDP)—a bold, forward-thinking initiative that places equal value on personal growth and professional advancement.
Unlike conventional law firm programs that focus solely on technical and work-related training, the DDP introduces a fresh and innovative model. It combines financial support and additional paid leave to encourage employees to step beyond their comfort zones, engaging in activities that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From Vedic meditation and pottery to hiking Mount Kilimanjaro or learning a new language, the program embraces a broad and inclusive definition of development.
Participants receive 50% funding for approved activities, up to $500, and those who complete their activity are rewarded with five additional days of paid annual leave. Open to employees at all levels, the program reinforces Hamilton Locke’s core belief: personal growth fuels professional excellence.
The DDP has seen remarkable uptake and impact. Participation grew by 84% in FY24 and reached an impressive 92% firmwide in FY25, with over 70% of employees returning to the program in consecutive years—highlighting its lasting relevance and value.
In a profession often plagued by burnout and talent retention challenges, Hamilton Locke is reshaping legal workplace culture. The DDP forms a cornerstone of the firm’s broader strategy to build a people-centric environment, one that balances high-performance client service with deep employee well-being. With this program, Hamilton Locke’s innovative leadership demonstrates that investing in people is key to enduring success
Leave Safe Stay Safe – Redgum Justice & Regional Alliance West
Leave Safe Stay Safe (LSSS) is transforming lives with holistic support for women survivors of family violence in WA prisons. This program is a groundbreaking pilot initiative launched in 2023 to support women in Bandyup Women’s Prison and Greenough Regional Prison who are victims of family violence. Developed in partnership between Redgum Justice, Regional Alliance West, the Victims of Crime Office, and the Department of Justice, LSSS delivers a holistic model that integrates legal and non-legal services to address the full spectrum of each woman’s needs.
The primary goals of the program are to reduce violence against women and to break cycles of reoffending. Central to the initiative is a 12-week intensive group program facilitated by Aboriginal Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) workers and FDV specialists. Participants explore key topics such as coercive control, red flags, understanding family violence, its impacts, and strategies for breaking the cycle.
Over the past two years, legal teams have delivered more than 150 legal services to these highly complex clients, covering matters including criminal injuries compensation; family law and children’s matters; child protection; divorce and separation; and family violence restraining orders.
Independent audits by ACSAR and the Office of Crime Statistics have reported remarkable results: 100% of participants demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, confidence, and a greater sense of safety post-release.
Bandyup Prison has noted a clear reduction in violence among women participating in the program, with many now actively using de-escalation skills to manage conflict. Greenough Prison reported that in the first year of the program, there were zero violent incidents involving LSSS participants—an extraordinary achievement.
Despite being a small, modestly funded initiative, Leave Safe Stay Safe is delivering exceptional outcomes, proving that targeted, culturally informed support can create real and lasting change for women impacted by family violence.
Award criteria
The award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Innovation: Development or implementation of new tools, models, or services in legal practice.
- Problem solving: Addressing critical issues relating to access, efficiency, or client experience.
- Disruption with integrity: Positive disruption aligning with legal ethics and social good.
Judging panel
- The Hon Dr Andrew Lu AM: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Angie Gimisis: Junior Vice President, The Law Society of Western Australia
- Nick Stamatiou: CEO and Managing Director, Radian Global
- Kate Offer: Associate Professor (Adjunct), Law School, UWA
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
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
