WA Regional Practitioner of the Year Award
Awarded to a regional practitioner who exhibits an outstanding commitment to their profession and local community, instilling confidence and trust and enhancing the reputation of the legal profession in the regions.
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:
Mark Jeffreys
Mark Jeffreys’ career is a testament to unwavering dedication to justice, community service, and ethical leadership. As Principal Solicitor at Pilbara Community Legal Service (PCLS), he has demonstrated exceptional commitment to both the legal profession and the diverse communities across the Pilbara region. With over 15 years of experience in criminal, family, and community law, Mark is widely respected for his integrity, strong advocacy, and tireless efforts on behalf of vulnerable clients.
Mark has played a pivotal role in developing and coordinating regular outreach services to towns including Newman, Hedland, and Roebourne, as well as remote communities like Jigalong, Nullagine, Marble Bar, Onslow, Paraburdoo, and Pannawonica. By bridging the gap between legal practice and community needs, he ensures access to justice for people in isolated areas. He also mentors junior lawyers and helps strengthen the capacity of community legal services to meet local demand.
Understanding that legal issues often intersect with broader social challenges, Mark collaborates closely with community service providers to deliver holistic support for clients facing family violence, housing insecurity, and financial hardship. His approach empowers clients with the tools and confidence to overcome future obstacles.
Mark’s commitment extends beyond law; he serves as a Board Member of EPIC, a local disability services organisation, and as Treasurer of the Karratha High School Parents & Citizens Association—demonstrating how professional values of service, trust, and accountability can enrich civic life.
As Chair and convenor of the Principal Solicitor network for community legal centres across Western Australia, Mark fosters cooperation and resilience among practitioners, promoting a legal profession grounded in collaboration and service.
Through his leadership, Mark Jeffreys has elevated the reputation of regional legal services, ensuring they remain ethical, principled, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Ntuthuko Mcingolwane
Ntuthuko Mcingolwane is champion of justice and cultural empowerment in the Pilbara region. He has extensive legal experience in both private practice in Bunbury and with Legal Aid Western Australia’s offices in Bunbury and South Hedland. He currently serves as the Solicitor-in-Charge at Legal Aid’s South Hedland Office and has appeared in all courts, including the Children’s, Magistrates, District, and Supreme Courts.
With over 12 years of advocacy experience, Ntuthuko has practiced across a broad range of areas, including criminal, civil, and family law, initially in the Southwest and now in the Pilbara region. Beyond courtroom work, he actively contributes to continuing professional development (CPD) and community legal education (CLE) initiatives. Ntuthuko regularly liaises with the District Court and other stakeholders to organise CPD sessions for lawyers in South Hedland, enhancing legal skills in the community.
He has also partnered with organisations such as Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) to deliver culturally appropriate legal education to Martu people at Roebourne Regional Prison. This program empowers remote Aboriginal communities with practical knowledge of the justice system, fostering meaningful and lasting access to justice.
As manager of the Legal Aid South Hedland Office, Ntuthuko oversees staff and legal services across the Pilbara, including courts in South Hedland, Newman, Nullagine, Jigalong, and Marble Bar. He collaborates with community organisations like Bloodwood Tree Inc., supporting vulnerable First Nations clients through initiatives such as the Driver Training Program and assisting with Removal of Life Disqualification applications.
Ntuthuko is a highly skilled lawyer committed to social justice. He embodies fairness, professionalism, and a steadfast dedication to upholding the principles of equity and access to justice throughout his legal career.
Monica Miller
Monica Miller’s leadership empowers Aboriginal women and children, helping to transform family violence prevention across regional WA. As Principal Solicitor of the Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (SAC FVPLS), Monica leads a dedicated all-female team supporting Aboriginal women and children experiencing family and domestic violence across the Great Southern, South West, and lower Wheatbelt regions. Under her leadership, FVPLS has grown into a trusted, culturally safe service offering both legal and non-legal support, including community legal education in 15 towns and outreach via local groups, Community Resource Centres, and a remote service bus. Monica’s holistic, trauma-informed approach empowers survivors to break the cycle of violence while ensuring regional communities have meaningful and lasting access to justice.
In the past 18 months, FVPLS, guided by Monica, has supported 412 clients, delivered 613 legal services, provided 2,830 non-legal supports, conducted 60 community legal education sessions, led 147 early intervention activities, and hosted 41 awareness events. Her advocacy reaches beyond individual cases, driving systemic change through championing law reform, advocating for recognition of coercive control, and presenting nationally on culturally safe practices. Monica’s work tackles entrenched barriers to justice, amplifying the voices of Aboriginal women and children and strengthening community resilience.
Monica exemplifies professionalism and civic responsibility, mentoring junior lawyers in regional practice to foster ethical, well-supported future practitioners. She promotes collegiality through initiatives like “Lady Lawyer Lunches” in the South West and demonstrates community leadership through volunteer work with Share the Dignity and mentoring Aboriginal youth via AIME. Her practice is defined by compassion, ethical rigor, and cultural respect—qualities that enhance community trust and uplift the reputation of the legal profession across regional Western Australia.
Monica’s dedication, leadership, and advocacy truly embody the highest standards of regional legal practice.
Award criteria
The award will be judged on three criteria as follows:
- Community empowerment: Record of achievement and commitment in providing legal support to one or more regional, rural or remote communities.
- Impact: Provides advocacy or support for the needs and interests of regional clients or wider regional communities.
- Integrity: Enhances the reputation of the legal profession in the regions through the promotion of ethical and civic standards.
Judging panel
Clare Thompson SC: Honours Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
Gary Mack: President, The Law Society of Western Australia
Michael Ryan: Convener, Country Practitioners Committee, The Law Society of Western Australia
Kylie Sexton: Country Practitioners Committee member, The Law Society of Western Australia
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
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
