First Nations Law Awards

This award is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is currently practicing as a solicitor or barrister in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.

This award is sponsored by Ngalaya Indigenous Corporation and includes a $4,000 cash prize to support the winner’s continued professional development.

Nominees will be assessed based on their:

• Advocacy for the rights of First Nations people in a legal environment;
• Contributions to the First Nations community through legal services (e.g. pro bono work, advocating for access to justice); and
• Demonstrated involvement and support for First Nations people and communities

Lawyers can self-nominate or be nominated by others from 1 July 2022.

Required documentation:

• Nominee’s current CV;
• Letter of support if Nominee is being nominated;
• Name and contact details of two referees;
• Proof of admission & current practicing certificate; and
• A personal statement of up to 1000 words written by the Nominee to address how they meet the selection criteria.

This award is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with a law degree, currently working in academia, law reform or pursuing a legal research degree (e.g. LLM, PhD) in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.

This award is sponsored by Ngalaya Indigenous Corporation and includes a $4,000 cash prize to support the winner’s continued professional development.

Nominees will be assessed based on their:

• Advocacy for the rights of First Nations people through research and law reform;
• Contributions to the First Nations community through academia, research or advocacy (e.g. advocating for access to justice, community legal education, significant academic research on legal issues affecting First Nations communities); and
• Demonstrated involvement and support for First Nations people and communities

Legal Researchers can self-nominate or be nominated by others from 1 July 2022.

Required documentation:

• Nominee’s current CV;
• Letter of support if Nominee is being nominated;
• Name and contact details of two referees;
• List of publications and/or non-typical research outputs (e.g. community presentations, law reform advocacy, participation in law reform reports and/or processes); and
• A personal statement of up to 1000 words written by the Nominee to address how they meet the selection criteria.

This award is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person currently enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (3rd year+) or Juris Doctor (2nd year+) at a recognised law school in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.

This award is sponsored by Colin, Biggers & Paisley and includes a $2,500 cash prize to support the winner’s continuing legal education.

Applicants will be assessed based on their:

• Demonstrated commitment to First Nations justice;
• Involvement in work to support First Nations communities;
• Academic performance; and
• Potential to advance First Nations interests in their career.

Required documentation:

• Current CV;
• Name and contact detail of two referees;
• Proof of current enrolment;
• Academic transcript; and
• A personal statement of no more than 1000 words addressing the selection criteria.

This award is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person currently enrolled in their first year of a Juris Doctor or first two years of a Bachelor of Laws at a recognised law school in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.

This award is sponsored by Terri Janke and Company and includes a $2,500 cash prize to support the winner’s continuing legal education.

Applicants will be assessed based on their:

• Demonstrated commitment to First Nations justice;
• Involvement in work to support First Nations communities;
• Academic performance; and
• Potential to advance First Nations interests in their career.

Required documentation:

• Current CV;
• Name and contact detail of two referees;
• Proof of current enrolment;
• Academic transcript; and
• A personal statement of no more than 1000 words addressing the selection criteria.