Awards and Recognition

• 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. 

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. 

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 

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 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 Pane decision is final.  

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

These individuals have made significant contributions across a broad range of areas, including early-career innovation, advocacy for inclusivity and diversity, transformative work within legal technology, outstanding leadership, and excellence in family law and dispute resolution.

The ACT Law Society extends its heartfelt congratulations to all winners, finalists, and nominees, and thanks nominators for their submissions.

STACEY BELL DDCS LAWYERS 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 OX ROOMS In recognition of his valuable contributions to innovation within the ACT legal profession.

DEBRA PARKER PARKER COLES CURTIS In recognition of her valuable contributions to leadership and excellence in family law and dispute resolution.

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

These individuals have made significant contributions across a broad range of areas, including early-career innovation, advocacy for inclusivity and diversity, transformative work within legal technology, outstanding leadership, and excellence in family law and dispute resolution.

The ACT Law Society extends its heartfelt congratulations to all winners, finalists, and nominees, and thanks nominators for their submissions.

STACEY BELL DDCS LAWYERS 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 OX ROOMS In recognition of his valuable contributions to innovation within the ACT legal profession.

DEBRA PARKER PARKER COLES CURTIS In recognition of her valuable contributions to leadership and excellence in family law and dispute resolution.