Awards
The Law Society Medal of Meritorious Service recognises a Member of the Law Society who has made exceptional contributions to the work of the Society.
Emma Shaw, Team Leader of the Legal Services Commission's Major Indictable unit, and Member of the Society since 2011, was awarded the Law Society Medal of Meritorious Service in 2023.
The President’s Medal recognises an individual, group or organisation who has made an exceptional contribution to the work of the President or the Society during the President’s term.
The 2023 President's Medal was awarded to Professor Matthew Stubbs of The University of Adelaide, received for recognition of his outstanding and extensive contributions towards the Society's advocacy in support of a Human Rights Framework and the First Nations Voice to Parliament.
The Mary Kitson Award recognises an individual or organisation who has made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of women in the law.
Gillian Walker SC, a staunch advocate for practices and procedures that would see women lawyers treated more fairly, particularly with regards to issues such as complaints, membership subsidies in circumstances where a woman needs to take time out of the profession, and CPD relief or exemptions when working part time or on maternity leave, was presented with the Mary Kitson Award in 2024.
The Justice Award recognises an admitted legal practitioner or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to improving fair and equal access to justice in South Australia.
Zita Ngor was presented with the Justice Award in 2024 for her long-term commitment to helping vulnerable women and those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds navigate the justice system.
The Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award (formerly known as the Young Lawyer of the Year Award) recognising an emerging lawyer who has contributed to the profession or the community in an outstanding or impactful way.
In 2024, Rahimi Wahidi was presented with the Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award for her work at the Northern Community Legal Services and her ongoing dedication to assisting refugees, drawing on her personal experience, having arrived in Australia at the age 11 from Afghanistan.
The Regional Practitioner of the Year Award recognises an admitted legal practitioner who has demonstrated excellence in their field of practice or made exceptional contributions to the profession or their local community.
In 2024, Lachlan McAuliffe was presented with the Regional Practitioner of the Year Award for his commitment to the provision of justice for the Port Pirie Community.
The Pro Bono Award recognises a South Australian lawyer or organisation that has contributed to the profession or the community on or for a good benefit.
Johnson Winter Slattery's South Australian pro bono team, coordinated by Eve Thompson, was presented with the Pro Bono Award in 2024. In the 2023-24 financial year, 22 JWS lawyers dedicated a total of 604 voluntary hours to the SACAT legal outreach clinic, equating to about $200,000 worth of pro bono legal services.
The Bulletin Awards recognises the authors of the Article of the Year and the Special Interest Article of the Year in the Bulletin publication.
Holly Nikoloff won the 2023/24 Article of the Year with her article "Civil Penalty Provisions: deterrence, deterrence, deterrence!" and Danielle Gilby won the 2023/24 Special Interest Article of the Year with her article "When being sick is your full-time job: a perspective on flexible working arrangements from a disabled practitioner".
Honorary Membership
The Council can bestow Honorary Membership to the Law Society to an Admitted Member who has made an exceptional contribution to the Society or legal profession or has served on the Council or any Committee of the Society for a substantial period of time, among other criteria.
Barry Jennings KC was awarded as an Honorary Member in 2024.