A lawyer who pioneered free legal advice at night and a Pilbara service helping disadvantaged people navigate the justice system have been recognised in the Attorney General's Community Service Law Awards.
Attorney General John Quigley presented the three winners with their awards at the annual Law Week Breakfast today.
These honours call attention to legal work being provided for the public good in Western Australia by individuals, legal firms and not-for-profit organisations.
Veteran family lawyer Jon Redman won the Individual Award in honour of a long history of pro bono work dating back to 1982, when he helped establish the Sussex Street Community Law Service.
The Not-For-Profit Award went to the Pilbara Community Legal Service, which assists people across the region from the main population centres to remote communities.
MinterEllison received the Legal Firm Award for its work with a range of community service providers and not-for-profit organisations, contributing thousands of pro bono hours.
This is the 15th time the awards have been staged. The award returned to the Law Week slot this year after 2020's presentation was delayed due to the pandemic.
The Legal Firm Award was introduced last year to highlight the pro bono work being done in the community by commercial law firms.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"It's a privilege to present these awards during Law Week to people and organisations that contribute to making the justice system more fair and equitable.
"Jon Redman has been doing pro bono work for about 40 years. He still volunteers at the Sussex Street Community Law Service, where he set up the night legal service that provides free advice on family or civil law matters, and is a Minister-appointed independent prison visitor to Bandyup Women's Prison.
"The Pilbara Community Legal Service plays a vital role helping vulnerable people from its four centres and through home visits and outreach services in more isolated communities.
"MinterEllison sets an excellent example by seconding lawyers to community legal centres and ensuring junior lawyers spend one day a week for six months doing pro bono work.
"I congratulate and thank this year's winners, finalists and nominees for the valuable work that they do."
