Law Week awards announced

MinterEllison, Pilbara Community Legal Service and pro bono lawyer Jon Redman were named winners at this year’s Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards.

The annual Law Week event was held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday morning, marking its 15th year.

Mr Redman won the individual award in recognition of a long history of pro bono work dating back to 1982, when he helped establish the Sussex Street Community Law Service, located in East Victoria Park. He still volunteers at the firm, providing free legal advice at night on family or civil law matters.

Mr Redman is also a minister-appointed independent prison visitor to Bandyup Women’s Prison.

The Attorney General’s not-for-profit award went to Karratha firm Pilbara Community Legal Service, which provides home visits and outreach legal services to disadvantaged people in the region.

Meanwhile, Perth-based MinterEllison won the legal firm award (introduced last year) in recognition for its work with a range of community service providers and not-for-profit organisations.

Attorney-General John Quigley said MinterEllison set an excellent example by seconding lawyers to community legal centres and ensuring junior lawyers were undertaking pro bono work one day a week.

MinterEllison pro bono partner Lee Rossetto said the team was proud to receive the award, which recognised the firm's commitment to making a lasting difference in the communities they lived and worked in.

“As a firm, we're passionate about breaking cycles of disadvantage and we're proud to partner with many fantastic community organisations in WA who make this happen," he said.

“Amongst the substantial pro bono case work we undertake each year, we're particularly excited to be involved with a number of innovative projects to address homelessness in our community."

Attorney General John Quigley congratulated all three winners.

“It is a privilege to present these awards during Law Week to people and organisations that contribute to making the justice system more fair and equitable,” Mr Quigley said.

“I congratulate and thank this year’s winners, finalists and nominees for the valuable work that they do.”