Applications have opened for the 2026 Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards, with this year’s awards marking two decades of recognising outstanding pro bono and community legal service in Western Australia.
Now in their 20th year, the awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to improving access to justice through voluntary legal work and community service.
Nominations are open across four categories:
- Individual,
- Legal Aid Panel Member,
- Not-for- Profit Organisation, and
- Legal Firm.
The awards were established in 2006 by then Attorney General Jim McGinty and have since acknowledged lawyers, firms and organisations that have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to assisting disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community.
Among last year’s recipients was criminal injuries and workers’ compensation specialist Dr Rob Guthrie, who received the Individual Award in recognition of more than four decades of community legal service and law reform advocacy.
Community legal centre Redgum Justice won the Not-for-Profit Organisation Award for its Leave Safe, Stay Safe pilot program supporting women prisoners at risk of family and domestic violence.
Geraldton practitioner Kate Fry received the Legal Aid Panel Member Award for providing legal assistance to publicly funded clients across the Mid West, Pilbara and Kimberley, while law firm Lavan was recognised in the Legal Firm category for contributing thousands of hours of pro bono legal services through graduate lawyer secondments to community legal organisations.
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti said the awards continue to recognise the vital role the legal profession plays in supporting access to justice.
“For 20 years, these awards have been a fitting tribute to people in the legal profession who donate their time and expertise to pro bono, public assistance, and community legal work,” Dr Buti said.
He said the State Government remained committed to ensuring all Western Australians have fair and equal access to the justice system and encouraged lawyers and clients to nominate deserving individuals and organisations.
The 2026 award winners will be announced at the Law Society of Western Australia’s Gala Awards Evening on Friday, 4 September.
Nominations close on Friday, 10 July and can be made at www.justice.wa.gov.au/lawaward
