Awards and Recognition

What has changed from the pre-2025 model?

• We’ve removed fixed award categories. All recognitions are now presented under a single Service Award, with nominations assessed against a set of themes and areas of impact. This approach allows for broader and more flexible recognition of diverse contributions. 

• The President’s Medal will be retained as a discretionary honour, awarded only in recognition of exceptional contributions demonstrated through a Service Award nomination. This medal may not be presented every year.

• There’s no set number of awardees—whether it’s two or twenty, we celebrate all deserving individuals or firms.

• Winners receive a personalised Service Award with a tailored “in recognition of” statement. 

• Multiple nominations for the same individual or firm are accepted.

• Nominations are accepted throughout the year, enabling you to recognise outstanding practitioners at the moment their contributions are observed—without needing to recall them later. 

• Nominations are now open to the entire community—not just members. 

• Nominations can reflect one or multiple themes and areas of impact, allowing you to recognise the full scope of a nominee’s contributions—rather than trying to fit them into a single, predefined award category. 

How to nominate for a Service Award

We welcome nominations from both members and the broader community, and they can be submitted year-round. 

The purpose of the Service Awards is to recognise contributions that have made a meaningful impact on the profession and community and go above and beyond the day-to day work.  

Nominations should clearly describe: 

• The nature of the contribution – what was done, and why it matters 

• The impact – who benefited, and how 

• The significance – how the contribution stands out within the profession or community 

We encourage thoughtful, well-supported nominations that reflect the nominee’s dedication, innovation, and positive influence. 

Nomination themes

When nominating please consider the following themes. Each theme represents a distinct area where legal professionals can make meaningful contributions. The dot points under each theme are examples to guide your nomination—they are not exhaustive or prescriptive. 

Contribution to the Legal Profession & Community 

Recognises individuals or firms who strengthen the legal profession and its connection to the broader community. 

The nomination could demonstrate: 

• Meaningful involvement in the ACT Law Society or ACT legal community 

• Efforts to educate or raise awareness of legal issues within government or the public 

• Outstanding achievements or significant impact in the community through legal work 

 

Innovation & Leadership 

Celebrates forward-thinking professionals and firms who drive change and improvement. 

Nominees may have: 

• Used technology creatively to improve legal service delivery 

• Demonstrated leadership that drives innovation and enhances organisational performance 

 

Wellbeing & Workplace Culture 

Recognises efforts to create supportive, sustainable, and healthy legal workplaces. 

Your nomination could highlight: 

• Initiatives that support staff wellbeing 

• Programs that foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture 

• Promotion of diversity, inclusion, or mentoring within the legal profession and making a real difference 

 

Access to Justice & Legal Empowerment 

Acknowledges work that expands legal access and empowers communities. 

Nominees may have contributed through: 

• Dedication to pro bono legal work or advocacy for disadvantaged groups 

• Initiatives that improve access to legal services for underrepresented or remote communities 

• Programs that promote legal literacy or community legal education 

• Efforts toward systemic reform that enhance fairness and equity in the justice system 

 

Education, Ethics & Cross-Sector Collaboration 

Highlights contributions to legal scholarship, ethical leadership, and interdisciplinary impact. 

Your nomination may outline: 

• Contributions to legal research, academic excellence, or curriculum development 

• Mentor of law students or early-career professionals 

• Leading public legal education initiatives that demystify the law 

• Promoting ethical practice, accountability, and professional standards 

• Building partnerships between legal professionals and other sectors (e.g., health, education, social services) 

• Using interdisciplinary approaches to enhance legal outcomes or community wellbeing 

• Making a significant contribution to development in environmental law, sustainability, or corporate responsibility 

Eligibility for Service Awards

To be eligible for nomination for the Service Award, an individual must:   

• practise in the ACT, or have practised for a substantial period in the ACT   

• be of high standing in the ACT legal profession   

• be a current member of the ACT Law Society 

A person is ineligible for nomination if they are a judge of an Award, a currently serving Councillor, or staff member of the ACT Law Society. 

The Awards Judging Panel and the judging process

The Awards Judging Panel is a sub-group of the Society’s Council, and may include Society members invited by the Council.  

The Awards Judging Panel may choose to seek further information from nominators, nominees, their referees, or the ACT Law Society’s professional standards staff.   

The successful finalist(s) and winner(s) (if any) will be determined by a consensus of the Awards Judging Panel. The panel may choose not to issue an award if they feel there are no suitable nominations. 

The Awards Judging Panel decision is final.  

2026 Law Week Service Award Winners

The 2026 Law Week Service Awards recognise individuals whose contributions have made a meaningful impact on the ACT Law Society, the legal profession and the broader community. These winners reflect the high standard of service that continues to shape and strengthen the profession. 

ANDREW GIDDINGS President's award for outstanding service

ANA ANZANI For her contribution to access to justice and legal empowerment

JO TWIBLE For her contribution to the legal profession and community

2026 Emerging Lawyer of the Year

The ACT Law Society is proud to present the winner for the 2026 Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award, an initiative that recognises and celebrates the next generation of legal professionals shaping the future of the profession. The Award acknowledges early‑career lawyers who demonstrate excellence, innovation and leadership potential in their professional practice, and who have already made a meaningful contribution to their work, clients and colleagues. 

CAROLINE DOHERTY THOMSON GEER

XIAO LIN KING ACT COURTS AND TRIBUNAL

Current Recognition Program

ACT Law Week Service Awards

The ACT Law Society Service Awards recognise significant contributions to the legal profession and the community.

Past recipients:

2025 

Stacey Bell 
In recognition of her outstanding impact as a new lawyer, demonstrating innovation, inclusivity, and a strong commitment to access to justice and community advocacy. 

Matthew Carmody
In recognition of his valuable contributions to innovation within the ACT legal profession.

Debra Parker
In recognition of her valuable contributions to leadership and excellence in family law and dispute resolution. 

2026

Andrew Giddings
President's award for outstanding service

Ana Anzani
For her contribution to access to justice and legal empowerment

Jo Twible
For her contribution to the legal profession and community 

Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award

An annual award recognising outstanding achievements of early career lawyers in the ACT. The Award encouraged new lawyers to be active participants in the legal profession beyond their core employment duties, and to raise awareness of these activities. This award has previously been awarded under the titles 'ACT Young Lawyer of the Year Award' and 'New Lawyer of the Year Award''. 

Past recipients:

2026 - Caroline Doherty and Xiao Lin King

2023 - Angelique Nelis and Vanessa Graf

2022 - Liana Tomassini

2021 - Caroline Beasley and Keiran Pender

2019 - Farzana Choudhury

2018 - Georgina McKay and Kellin Kristofferson

2017 - Belinda Miller

2016 - Katrina Marson

2015 - Kavina Mistry

2014 - Dr Jessica Kennedy

2012 - Nithya Sambasivam

2010 - Anthony Williamson

2009 - Nicholas Tebbey

2008 - Heidi Yates

2007 - Elizabeth Lee

The ACT Golden Gavel

Each year, young lawyers tested their public speaking skills and comedic genius at Golden Gavel competitions across the country. The winners of each State and Territory competition then faced off at the National Golden Gavel.

An opportunity for new lawyers to showcase their advocacy and comedy skills, with each given five minutes to argue their case on a usually far-fetched topic — revealed only 24 hours beforehand.

Past recipients:

2024 - Claudia Weatherall

2023 - Grant Robert

2022 - Daniella Fiocco

2021 - Daniel Magnusson

2019 - Maclaren Wall

2018 - Liv Ronan

2017 - Adam Moynihan

2016 - Josie Dempster

2015 - Hassan Ehsan

2014 - Soraya Saikal

2013 - Emilija Beljic

2012 - Hamish McNair

2011 - Max Petro

2010 - Sarah Avery

2009 - Rouslun Churches

2008 - Theresa Miskle

2007 - Brooke Horne

2006 - Brooke Horne

2005 - Emma Herde

2004 - Andrew Jory

2003 - Andrew Jory

2002 - Peter Woulfe

40 years' service

The Law Society recognises and congratulates members who have completed forty years in service since their admission to the legal profession. The Society believes that forty years within the legal profession is a significant achievement, and we acknowledge this service with a commemorative lapel pin. Pins are given out at the Society's Law Week Awards Gala Dinner. 

2026
Vicki Brown
Mark Flint
John Henry
Suzanne Howarth
Mark Love
Alfonso del Rio
Rob Reis
Nicky Sperliotis
Archie Tsirimokos
Russel Wilson

2025
Gee Burn
Adrian Diethelm
Helen Hayunga
Gavin Lee
George Marques
Bronwyn McNeil
Vicki Stylianou

2024
Stephen Argument
Paul Armarego
Caroline Atkins
Peter Dwyer
Craig Edwards
Stuart Littlemore
David Metcalf
Debra Parker
Lessli Strong
Peter Thomson
Mark Tigwell

2023
John Boersig PSM
Rosemary Budavari OAM
Michael Chin
Willy Corby
Paul Cronan AM
Richard Faulks
Geoffrey Mazengarb
Vicki McConachie
Daniel Moulis
Brian O'Callaghan
Russell Patrick
Chris Reid
David Ridge
Carlos Turini
Alexandra Weduntenko

2022
Kim Chapman
Michael Chilcott
John Dunn CSC
Martin Hockridge
James Horniblow
Kenneth Hubert
William McCarthy
Gerald Satucci
Joesph Tallarita
 

2021
Mark Baker
Bruce Brown
Enrico Casagrande CSM
Phillip Davey
Peter Garrisson AM SC
David Hanstein
Mary Harris
Irena Jordan
Graeme Nettle
Robert Orr PSM QC
Mark Phillips
Joanne Rees
Mark Treffers
Elizabeth Ward
Eric Wells
Jennifer Woodward CSC

2019
Wayne Arthur
Uwe Boettcher
Richard Calver
Magistrate Beth Campbell
Barbara Deegan
Mary Toohey

2018
Brian Tetlow
Jim Dunn
Keith Bradley
John Harris
Margaret Reid
Ron Travers
Richard Davies
Chris Donohue
Jeanine Lloyd

2017
Stephen Mason
Mark Cunliffe PSM
James Millea
David Briggs
Eunice Ryan
Brian Kildea
Richard Lewis
Ian Stevens

2016
Denis O'Brien
Nicholas Symons
Louise Vardanega PSM
Christine Harvey
Eric Lucas
Frank Tallarita
Gary Robb
Susanne Tongue

2015
Allen “Tex” Alcock
Rod Badgery
Kenneth Batterham
Allan Bedford
John Buxton
William Conley
Denis Farrar
Elizabeth Fleming
Charles Filgate Giles
Ian Govey AM
Owen Jones
Jillian McSpedden
Ivan Potas
John Reid
Gary Rumble
Stephen Skehill
Mark Tiirikainen

2014
Robert Alexander
William Andrews
Trevor Barker
Rodney Barnett
Colin Blain
Dale Boucher
John Bradley
George Brzostowski SC

50 years' of dedication

The Law Society recognises and congratulates members who have stayed connected to the legal profession for fifty years since their admission to the legal profession. The Society believes that fifty years within the legal profession is a significant achievement, and we acknowledge this service with a commemorative lapel pin. Pins are given out at the Society's Law Week Awards Gala Dinner. 

2026 (inaugural)
Allan Bedford
Bruce Clarke
Willian Conley
Peter Dingwall
Christine Harvey
Denis O'Brien
Ross Reid
Gary Robb
Gary Rumble
Bill Stefaniak
Frank Tallarita
Louis Varganega
Richard Yeo

Honorary members

From time to time, Honorary Membership is conferred on persons who have contributed significantly to the ACT Law Society or to the ACT legal profession.

According to the Constitution of the ACT Law Society: “The Council may confer the status of Honorary Member on a Member, former Member or person eligible for Membership who is considered by the Council to have rendered outstanding service to the Society or to the legal profession.”

The award is presented at the discretion of the Council of the ACT Law Society.

Honorary members

Sir Clarrie Harders OBE was appointed an honorary member in August 1979, on his retirement as Secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.

The Hon Kevin O'Leary QC was appointed in November 1987 on his retirement as Chief Justice of the Northern Territory Supreme Court. He had been President of the Society for three years at the time when the first Legal Practitioners Act was being drafted. He was also intimately involved in the establishment of the practical legal training course at the ANU.

David Crossin AM OBE was appointed in October 1988 following his chairmanship of the committee which organised the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Legal Convention. Mr Crossin had held many positions of responsibility in the Law Society and in the Canberra community generally. He was President of the Law Society from 1980 to 1983, had been an ACT practitioner for almost 50 years, and was a member and Chairman of the Professional Conduct Board.

The Hon David Harper OAM was appointed in August 2003 following his appointment to the Bench of the ACT Supreme Court as Master. He had been a member of the Society for 33 years and a member of Council for 29 years and President from 1978-80.

The Hon Terry Higgins AO KC was appointed an honorary member in June 2012. In addition to a distinguished career on the Bench and as an advocate, he made a noteworthy contribution to the affairs of the Society as a member, committee member, Councillor, and Vice-President. 

Christopher Chenoweth OAM was appointed an honorary member in June 2012. He gave selflessly of his time, knowledge and considerable skill to the affairs of the Society over many years as a member of many of our committees, a long serving Councillor, a Vice-President and as our President from 1999 to 2001.  He contributed substantially to the profession as a member of the Admissions Board, the Sentence Administration Board, a presiding member of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal and as Special Magistrate.

Louise Vardanega PSM was appointed an honorary member in August 2014 for her immense contribution to the Law Society over a long period beginning in 1976. She was a member of the Council continuously since October 1991, including 25 years as Secretary.

Larry King was appointed an honorary member in August 2016 in recognition of his 17 years of service to the ACT Law Society as Executive Director and CEO.

Martin Hockridge was appointed an honorary member in August 2018, in recognition of his many years of service to the ACT Law Society. He was President of the Law Society for three years, and on Council of the Law Society for 13 years, including serving as Vice President for four years and Immediate Past President for two years. 

Prizes for Academic Excellence

The ACT Law Society funds prizes for law students studying at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University, as well as graduate prizes for students completing their Practical Legal Training (PLT) with the College of Law and the Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

The President's Award

An annual award which recognised the significant personal and professional contributions of local legal practitioners to the improvement of law and justice in the community.

This award has been retained as a discretionary honour as part of the Law Week Service Awards under the title'President's Award for Outstanding Service'. The new model is awarded only in recognition of exceptional contributions demonstrated through a Service Award nomination. 

Past recipients:

2023 - Perpetua Kish 

2022 - Claudia MacLean

2021 - Margie Rowe

2019 - Michael Kukulies-Smith

2018 - Julie Dobinson

2017 - Liz Huang Hughes-Brown

2016 - Michael Phelps

2015 - Janean Richards

2014 - Richard Faulks 

ACT Firm of the Year

An annual award which recognised outstanding efforts of local firms in contributing to access to justice, and to a diverse and healthy legal profession.

Past recipients:

2023 - Parker Curtis Coles

2022 - Griffin Legal

2021 - Ken Cush & Associates

The Pro Bono Service Award

An annual award which recognised the vital work done by individual practitioners in the ACT who volunteer their time and legal expertise to assist others within the community. Pro bono work is largely unacknowledged, but provides an invaluable service to many disadvantaged members of our community, ensuring that access to justice is available to all.

Past recipients:

2023 - Jeanine Lloyd

2022 - Pierre Johannessen

2021 - Professor Maree Sainsbury

2019 - Vanessa Parkins

2018 - Jennifer Wyborn

 

The Government Law Award

An annual award which recognised the outstanding achievements of practitioners working in government, and raising awareness of the activities of government law practitioners. The award encouraged government law practitioners to remain active participants in the legal profession in activities beyond their core employment duties.

Past recipients: 

2022 - Patrick Hornby

2021 - Gregory Burn

2019 - Michael Deasey

2017 - Chris Behrens

2016 - Elizabeth Carroll

2015 - John Henry

 

Sporting trophies

The Law Society ran a range of sporting events for its members, encouraging collegiality, fitness, and mental health. 

Law Week Six-A-Side Soccer

2005 - Mallesons/KGB Law
2006 - Colquhoun Murphy
2007 - Office

Winter Netball Competition

2015 — Top four teams: DLA Piper, Farrar Gesini Dunn, Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, and Slater & Gordon / pappas, j. – attorney
2016 — 1^st: Farrar Gesini Dunn, 2^nd: Legal Aid ACT
2017 — 1^st: Moray & Agnew, 2^nd: Henry Davis York
2018 — 1^st: Farrar Gesini Dunn, 2^nd: ACT Director of Public Prosecutions "Regina"
2019 — 1^st: Clayton Utz, 2^nd: Legal Aid ACT "Canberra Aiders"

Touch Football Afternoon

2016 — Moray & Agnew
2018 — Sparke Helmore / Comcare
2019 — 1^st: Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers, 2^nd Chamberlains Law Firm

Perpetual Golf Trophy

1982 — Peter G Martin
1983 — Hugh Marshall
1984 — Phil Moon
1985 — Peter G Martin
1986 — Phil Moon
1987 — Norm Headland
1989 — David Lardner
1990 — Mun Ng
1991 — Norm Headland
1992 — Andrew Roberts
1993 — Ian Bradfield
1994 — Toby Selby
1995 — Russell Patrick
1996 — Michael Eley
1997 — Jim Dunn
1998 — Rod MacDonald
1999 — Joint winners, Brian Tetlow and Bill Coombs
2000 — Ian L Julien
2001 — Michael Eley
2002 — Les Klekner
2003 — Jim Dunn
2004 — Peter Kaye
2005 — Les Klekner
2006 — Bruce Howes
2007 — John Buxton
2008 — Chris Behrens
2009 — Bruce Howes
2010 — John Buxton
2011 — Cancelled
2012 — John Buxton
2013 — Mark Poretti

ACT Professions Shotgun Challenge

2002 — Bill Coombs, Higgins Solicitors
2003 — Phillips Fox
2004 — Colquhoun Murphy Solicitors
2005 — Mun Ng, Les Klekner, K Chen, A Ong
2006 — Peter Kaye, Bruce Howes, Margie Reid, C Widicrow
2007 — Maurice Falcetta, Craig Lynch, Graeme Blank, Michael Slaven
2008 — Peter Bugden, Ian Cheetham, Eddy Howard, Phil Sykes
2009 — Theresa Miskle, Greg Robson, Rick Edwards
2012 — David Greentree, John MacCulloch, Carol Mitchell, Philip Sykes
2013 — Henry Kazar, Tony Lane, Graeme Blank, Harry Kay