The legal profession holds a unique and noble place in our society. It is a vocation built on service, integrity, and the pursuit of justice.
It takes intellect, determination and adaptability to succeed. Those who dedicate their careers to the law – especially those who engage in pro bono and community legal work – embody the highest ideals of this calling. Their work strengthens our justice system and ensures its protections and remedies are accessible to all.
I recently had the privilege, through the Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards, of recognising exceptional commitment to community legal service. Dr Rob Guthrie was the Individual Award winner for his more than 40 years of service through community legal centres, academia, and law reform. Kate Fry won the Legal Aid Panel Member Award for her work representing clients across the mid-west, Pilbara and Kimberley. Redgum Justice was the recipient of the Not-For-Profit Award for its work on a ground-breaking program supporting imprisoned women who are victims of family and domestic violence. Lavan won the Legal Firm Award for its commitment to pro bono services through secondments of graduate lawyers to community organisations.
Today’s lawyers operate in an environment marked by increasing caseloads, resource constraints, and the emotional toll of high-stakes advocacy. It is precisely this dedication, often under challenging conditions, that underscores the importance of the independent jurisdictional review of our courts and tribunals, which I have commissioned to be undertaken by former Supreme Court Justice Janine Pritchard.
The review will help identify structural and procedural improvements to reduce delays, improve efficiency, and ensure all Western Australians can access timely justice. I hope the findings will support legal professionals to deliver justice more effectively. The justice system must evolve not only for the public it serves, but also for the practitioners who uphold it.
However, making changes to process and, potentially, legislation is only part of the solution. One of the most pressing challenges we face in Western Australia is the shortage of criminal lawyers – particularly those willing to work in regional and remote areas. This affects the speed and quality of justice delivery, places strain on courts and legal services, and can leave vulnerable people without representation.
We need more skilled and passionate advocates. Criminal law is demanding, but also deeply rewarding. It offers practitioners the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, to uphold the rule of law, and to contribute to safer, fairer communities.
Many of you reading this specialise in criminal law and may have worked in our regions. Your experience, mentorship, and leadership are invaluable. I encourage you to spread the word about the importance of criminal law practice, especially in communities where access to legal representation can be life changing.
That means fostering a culture of mentorship, creating meaningful pathways into criminal practice, and celebrating the impact legal advocacy can have on individuals and communities. The profession’s nobility lies in its service, and it is through the encouragement and support of emerging lawyers that we ensure this legacy continues.
Together, we can build a justice system that is fairer, faster, and more accessible. We can ensure the law remains a force for good in our society.
This opinion article originally appeared in Issue 52, December 2025, of the Brief magazine, produced by the Law Society.
Issue 53 is due to be published and posted to Law Society members in late June 2026.
