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Thursday, 7 May 2026
Law Week 2026: Celebrating Service, Community and the Law
The ACT Law Society is proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Law Week Service Awards and the 2026 Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award, recognising legal professionals whose work exemplifies service, leadership and a strong commitment to the Canberra community, as part of Law Week 2026, to be held from 22–29 May.
Law Week is an annual national event held each May to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society. In Canberra, the ACT Law Society and its partners deliver a range of events throughout the week that celebrate the legal profession, support the community, and encourage engagement with the justice system.
Law Week also supports the wider Canberra community. Each year, the ACT Law Society, through the ACT Law Society Foundation, donates to a local charity, and in 2026 Law Week proudly supports the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), with a portion of proceeds from Law Week fundraising initiatives contributing to its vital work. This focus is particularly fitting as Law Week coincides with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, helping to amplify awareness, prevention efforts and support for victim‑survivors. These values are reflected throughout this year’s nominations, with several of the finalists highlighting work that supports access to justice, prevention and community safety.
ACT Law Society President Vik Sundar said the Awards are a public celebration of the values that underpin the profession.
“The Awards honour contributions that have made a meaningful impact on the Society, the legal profession and the broader community. They go beyond recognition—they celebrate the dedication, integrity and service at the heart of the legal profession." Mr Sundar said.
The winners of the 2026 Law Week Awards will be announced at the ACT Law Society Law Week Awards Gala Dinner, the official launch of Law Week in the ACT. The Gala Dinner brings the profession together to recognise exceptional service and leadership, and to acknowledge esteemed members of the Canberra legal community who have devoted decades to the profession.
The 2026 Law Week Service Awards recognise individuals and organisations whose contributions have made a meaningful impact on the ACT Law Society, the legal profession and the broader community. These finalists reflect the high standard of service that continues to shape and strengthen the profession.
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Access to justice and legal empowerment Ana has dedicated the past two decades of her life, personally and professionally, advocating for vulnerable members of the community, in particular, children. Ana made the decision to start her own legal practice so that she would not be limited by the amount of pro-bono work she wishes to undertake. She has provided many hours of unpaid, complex legal assistance and is known to provide urgent pro bono advice to vulnerable members of the community, particularly those at imminent risk. As a Child Representative in care and protection matters, Ana consistently goes above and beyond including prioritising face‑to‑face engagement with children, often outside business hours and across long distances. Ana also provides urgent pro bono support to migrants, refugees and people experiencing domestic violence. A passionate advocate for legal empowerment, she believes justice should never be limited by financial means and continues to lead by example through tireless community service.
Contribution to the legal profession and wellbeing and workplace culture Caroline Atkins is a leader whose career demonstrates that high‑pressure public law practice can succeed without sacrificing wellbeing. As Partner and Head of Public Law at Maddocks, she has embedded a people‑first, inclusive culture that challenges the profession’s “always on” mindset and shows that excellence does not require burnout. Through practical leadership—sharing workloads, restructuring teams for sustainability, modelling healthy boundaries and fostering genuine psychological safety—Caroline enables lawyers at all levels to thrive while delivering consistently outstanding client outcomes. Her commitment to flexibility, mentoring and inclusion has driven exceptional retention, strong morale and a reputation for trust and collaboration, making her a powerful role model for a healthier, more sustainable legal profession.
Access to justice and legal empowerment Sonam is recognised for her significant contribution to access to justice and legal empowerment within culturally and linguistically diverse communities, particularly the Bhutanese community across Canberra, Perth and Brisbane. Practising in employment, family and migration law, she is a trusted first point of contact for individuals referred through the Bhutanese Embassy or community associations. Sonam supports legal literacy by reviewing and editing community publications on common legal issues to ensure information is accurate, practical and not legal advice. With prior experience as a Legal Aid paralegal and ongoing referral pathways between Legal Aid and her firm, Sonam also provides early workplace advice through a Fair Work Commission program. Through culturally appropriate guidance, collaboration and early intervention, she has strengthened community confidence in engaging with the justice system
Contribution to the legal profession and community Since his admission in 2017, Andrew has demonstrated an outstanding and sustained commitment to strengthening both the legal profession and its connection with the wider community. His career has been marked by dedicated service to vulnerable members of the Canberra community, including through roles at Legal Aid in family law, the Office of the ACT Government Solicitor, and his ongoing advocacy within Child, Youth and Protection Services, where he works tirelessly to support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Andrew has also contributed generously to the profession through roles on the Law Society’s New Lawyers Committee and Government Law Committee, and as an elected Councillor of the ACT Law Society. His calm, thoughtful and empathetic approach has enriched Council deliberations, governance reform and committee work. Notably, in 2025 Andrew continued to serve the profession with exceptional diligence despite a serious and life‑changing health diagnosis, inspiring colleagues through his resilience, integrity and public‑minded service.
Contribution to the legal profession and community Debra Parker has made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession and the ACT community through more than four decades of leadership, service, and advocacy. A respected pioneer in the development of collaborative and resolution‑focused practice in the ACT, she has delivered education, mentorship, and long‑standing service to the Law Society across multiple committees. Her contributions have helped embed more humane approaches to resolving complex family disputes. Beyond the profession, Debra has commited to supporting vulnerable individuals and families, particularly women in crisis. Her contribution is marked by integrity, generosity of service, and lasting impact on both the profession and the community it serves.
Access to justice and legal empowerment Himangi Ticku is recognised for her commitment to improving access to justice for young people in the ACT. Drawing on her prior experience at Legal Aid, where she regularly worked with young people navigating the criminal justice system, Himangi introduced the Andrew Byrnes Law Group Youth Pro Bono Scheme shortly after commencing as a partner in 2025. Formally launched in January 2026, the scheme provides free legal assistance to eligible young people appearing before the ACT Children’s Court, including in urgent matters such as bail applications, helping to ease pressure on Legal Aid services. Although still in its early stages, the program has already assisted several young people, including securing bail for a client previously refused twice. Himangi is deliberately growing the program to ensure quality outcomes for vulnerable clients.
Contribution to the legal profession and community Jo has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the ACT legal profession and the wider community through her leadership and advocacy in retirement villages and aged care law. For more than a decade, she has been a valued member of the ACT Government’s Retirement Villages Working Group, contributing significantly to the modernisation of legislation to better protect residents, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances. Jo’s contribution extends beyond policy development. She is deeply committed to access to justice and community education, regularly delivering free seminars and attending community events to help older Australians and their families understand aged care arrangements and their legal rights. Through this work, Jo has improved legal understanding, increased accessibility, and strengthened community trust in the legal profession.
Contribution to the legal profession and wellbeing and workplace culture Hannah is recognised for her significant contribution to the legal profession and her strong commitment to integrity and wellbeing. In 2025, she made an important public policy contribution by co‑authoring a detailed submission to the Commonwealth review of Legal Professional Privilege, proposing a practical framework that protects privilege while supporting effective investigations, and sharing this work through a CPD session to deliver clear value for practitioners. Hannah’s leadership also extends to workplace culture. She has actively reduced the high‑pressure, reactive nature of legal practice by embedding legal engagement earlier in client operations, supporting proactive risk management and reducing crisis‑driven work. This approach is complemented by her hands‑on support as a certified Mental Health First Aider, Team Lead, and Career and Wellbeing Manager. Her service extends beyond the profession through inclusive community wellbeing initiatives, strengthening both the profession and the community it serves. |
The ACT Law Society is proud to present the finalists 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.
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Benjamin is recognised for his exceptional early‑career contributions in areas that directly affect some of the most vulnerable members of the ACT community. Admitted in December 2022, he has made a sustained impact through his work in family violence and Care & Protection matters with Legal Aid ACT’s Early Intervention Legal Practice. He is known for his careful preparation, sound judgment and trauma‑informed advocacy, providing clear, calm and effective representation to highly vulnerable clients at critical moments for their safety and wellbeing. Regarded as a “safe pair of hands” in urgent proceedings, Benjamin is respected by colleagues, community partners and the courts.
Mikayla is an outstanding emerging lawyer whose work reflects excellence, integrity and a strong commitment to access to justice. As an Associate at Moray & Agnew, she manages a demanding litigation caseload before the Administrative Review Tribunal and is widely respected for her clear advocacy, high ethical standards and empathetic engagement with vulnerable and self‑represented applicants. Alongside her legal practice, Mikayla demonstrates strong leadership potential through mentoring and training junior lawyers and paralegals, contributing to wellbeing and professional development initiatives, and consistently undertaking pro bono work.
Caroline is an exceptional emerging lawyer whose practice reflects outstanding judgment, integrity and leadership well beyond her years. At Thomson Geer, she is entrusted with complex, high‑value succession, commercial litigation and tribunal matters. She is widely respected for her independence, analytical skill and calm professionalism, often stepping into matters at critical stages and delivering strong outcomes through meticulous preparation and sound strategic judgment. Beyond her legal practice, Caroline demonstrates a strong commitment to access to justice and professional development, playing a leading role in expanding affordable and pro bono estate planning services, mentoring junior lawyers, and supporting ethical practice within her firm. Recognised for her empathy and consistent excellence, Caroline exemplifies an emerging lawyer strengthening both the profession and the community it serves.
Cecilia is an outstanding early‑career family lawyer recognised for her professional excellence, integrity and leadership potential within her first two years of practice. She consistently delivers high‑quality legal work, combining strong analytical skills with clear, persuasive advocacy to achieve just and client‑focused outcomes. Regularly entrusted with complex matters, she has appeared as a solicitor advocate in both Divisions 1 and 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Her practice is grounded in ethical, trauma‑informed principles, with clients praising her empathy, meticulous approach and ability to make them feel supported. Promoted to Associate in December 2025, Cecilia is a trusted mentor and valued contributor to a collaborative workplace culture.
Xiao Lin is an outstanding emerging lawyer whose work in the coronial jurisdiction demonstrates exceptional legal judgment, compassion and leadership well beyond her years. Since joining the ACT Coroners Court, she has played a pivotal role in progressing some of the Court’s most complex and longstanding investigations, providing high‑quality advice to coroners and appearing with confidence as Counsel Assisting in significant inquests. Her work is valued for its clarity, precision and sensitivity, particularly in matters involving traumatic deaths and vulnerable families. In addition to her legal excellence, Xiao Lin has demonstrated strong leadership by mentoring junior lawyers, improving case management systems and identifying systemic issues that enhance the Court’s public safety role. Respected by judicial officers, peers and external stakeholders, she exemplifies integrity and commitment to the profession.
Izaac is an exceptional emerging lawyer whose legal skill, judgement and advocacy are well regarded for his level of experience. A civil litigator at Moray & Agnew, he has had carriage of complex and precedent‑setting matters before superior courts, achieving strong outcomes through careful preparation and sound strategic judgement. Trusted by partners, counsel and clients, he is recognised for his integrity, work ethic and ability to manage demanding matters. He also demonstrates leadership potential through mentoring junior colleagues, contributing to advocacy training, judging mooting competitions and making a strong contribution to pro bono work. |
For further information, interviews, or media enquiries, please contact:
E: communications@actlawsociety.asn.au
W: https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/about/law-week
