An early career lawyer dedicated to defending the rights of refugees seeking protection on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) was last night named Young Migration Lawyer of the Year.
Gretel Emerson, a lawyer with the Refugee Advice and Casework Service's (RACS) LGBTQIA+ Safety Program, was honoured at last night's Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference Dinner.
"Since being admitted to practice as a lawyer in NSW just over two years ago, Gretel has already made an outstanding contribution to the field of migration law in Australia through their excellence as a lawyer for refugees and people seeking asylum who fear persecution due to their SOGIESC," Law Council of Australia President, Ms Juliana Warner said.
"Not only is Gretel's commitment exceptional, but so too their capacity and work ethic. As demand for the specialist service RACS and Gretel provide has grown, so too has their caseload. Gretel has demonstrated their drive to assist those in need, by taking this additional caseload in their stride.
"Gretel builds trust with clients who may have experienced fear or shame in the past and need guidance as they navigate an unknown, and often complex, system in a new country.
"Gretel has not only proved an effective advocate for individual clients, but a determined campaigner for systemic improvements. "They have also made significant contribution to the profession by leading training and education across the legal sector. Last year, Gretel was invited to be part of an expert panel on human rights advocacy and careers that presented to the UTS Faculty of Law."
Prior to joining RACS, Gretel worked as an Associate and then Legal Officer at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, as a Client Services Officer at the Federal Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia, and as a Research Assistant at the UTS Law Faculty & Anti-Slavery Australia.
"How much Gretel has already achieved and contributed is awe-inspiring," Ms Warner said. "They are a very worthy recipient of this year's Young Migration Lawyer of the Year Award, and I am confident they will continue to make a positive difference to refugee justice in this country."
