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Distinguished Pro Bono Service AwardsHistoryThe Victoria Law Foundation Distinguished Pro Bono Service Awards acknowledge dedicated and long-standing contributions by volunteers in their communities. These awards are not competitive but made solely on merit and achievement. 2008 Awards - Law FirmsDue to changes in the pro bono legal sector 2008 will be the last year that the Foundation makes awards of this type. In this its final year the recipients of the awards have been determined by the Foundation’s President and the Board of the Foundation, the recipients are: Allens Arthur Robinson, for work with the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, accepted by Nicky Friedman, National Pro Bono Coordinator, Allens Arthur Robinson Blake Dawson, for partnership with Youthlaw, accepted by Cecilia Riebl, Solicitor, Blake Dawson Clayton Utz, accepted by Deborah Polites, Melbourne Pro Bono Coordinator and Amanda Jones, Pro Bono Projects, Clayton Utz Corrs Chambers Westgarth, for partnership with the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, accepted by Val Gostencnik, National Pro Bono Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth DLA Phillips Fox, for partnership with the Environment Defenders Office, accepted by David Leggatt, Partner and Daniel Creasey, Pro Bono Coordinator, DLA Phillips Fox Minter Ellison, for its Indigenous Outreach Program with Darebin Community Legal Centre, accepted by Anton Herman, National Pro Bono Coordinator, Minter Ellison Will Alstergren, for work with the Duty Barrister Scheme, accepted by Will Alstergren, Council Member, The Victorian Bar Inc. Russell Robertson, for work with Bendigo Health Outreach, accepted by Russell Robertson, Partner, O'Farrell Robertson McMahon 2007 Awards - Leadership for Indigenous Rights HonouredThe 2007 Distinguished Pro Bono Service Awards coincided with the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 constitutional referendum. The referendum gave the Federal Government the mandate to make laws and implement policies to benefit Aboriginal Indigenous Australians for the first time. Eleven individuals were recognised at the Awards for their outstanding contributions to indigenous rights. All awards were presented by Hon Rob Hulls, Attorney General of Victoria. The recipients of this year's Distinguished Pro Bono Service Awards were: Dr Kate Auty The Foundation partnered with Tarwirri (Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria), the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Department of Justice Indigenous Issues Unit to host the Awards at the Koorie Heritage Trust Melbourne on 12 June 2007. 2006 Awards - BarristersThe 2006 Distinguished Pro Bono Service Awards were presented at the Law Week Oration by the Attorney-General for Victoria, the Hon Rob Hulls MP, on 24 May 2006. This year, the awards focused on pro bono at the Bar, with the honours going to the following two barristers:
The barristers were recognised for their exceptional leadership in
pro bono at the Victorian Bar, including their three year commitment
to defending Australian citizen Van Nguyen, who was sadly executed in
a Singaporean prison in December 2005. 2004 Awards - Legal Executives and ParalegalsThe 2004 awards recognised legal executives and paralegals and the significant role they have played in supporting access to justice by the community. The awards were presented by The Hon Justice Bernard Teague on 24 February 2005 at the Institute of Legal Executives Inaugural Conference. The following winners of the award were nominated by the Institute of Legal Executives: Fiona Chapple, Baker & McKenzie, for contributions to Baker & McKenzie’s involvement with the Homeless Persons Legal Clinic. Jack Damschke, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, for paralegal and management committee volunteer work at Peninsula CLC for over 10 years; paralegal coordinator at free legal advice sessions, supervising volunteers. Judy Del Rio, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, for 25 years involvement with the Peninsula CLC including as a paralegal volunteer since 1994; long-standing assistance for Spanish-speaking members of the community to access the legal system; Management committee representative. Lisa Grocott, Minter Ellison, for work with Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation and Ozanam House, administration and support of Minter Ellison pro bono program with Homeless Persons Legal Clinic. Sarah Hudson, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, for paralegal volunteer work and as paralegal coordinator since 1998, including supervision of volunteers. Catherine McGuire, Baker & McKenzie, for contributions to Baker & McKenzie’s involvement with the Homeless Persons Legal Clinic, particularly coordination and administration of the program, new volunteer induction and liaison with clinic partners at the Salvation Army Life Centre. Elaine Pierson, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, as founder of, and 27 year involvement with, the Peninsula CLC, including work as a paralegal volunteer, administration volunteer, management committee representative, and past President Conrad Smith, Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH), for volunteer work with PILCH, including administration and support of Victorian Bar and Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Schemes. Linda Taylor, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, as committed paralegal volunteer since 2001, leading other volunteers, inducting and mentoring them; paralegal coordinator. 2003 Awards - Community Legal Centre VolunteersIn 2003 the inaugural awards targeted volunteers in Community Legal Centres, with 23 long term volunteers being recognized for their dedication and valuable contribution working in the community legal services sector. The awards were presented by The Hon Rob Hulls MP, Attorney-General, Victoria at the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) Inc conference dinner celebrating 30 Years of Community Legal Centres in Victoria. The following winners of the award were nominated by the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) Inc: Inka Alexander St Kilda Legal Service |
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