Government solicitors awards recipients 

The Law Society of NSW presented two awards to outstanding solicitors at the Government Solicitors Conference in September 2021.

The John Hennessy Legal Scholarship was awarded to Callum Hair, a solicitor in the Mental Health Advocacy Service at Legal Aid NSW,  to undertake a research project into legal systems in another jurisdiction or undertake further study.

The Michelle Crowther PSM Excellence in Government Legal Service Award was awarded to Dayna Greenfield who leads a small team of inhouse lawyers in the department supporting the Early Childhood Directorate (the regulatory body for 5800 education and care services at more than 14,000 locations in NSW).

Vaughan Roles, a solicitor at Legal Aid NSW,  received a High Commended nomination in the Michelle Crowther award.

John Hennessy Legal Scholarship

The John Hennessy Legal Scholarship is awarded to a public sector solicitor interested in undertaking a research project into legal systems in another jurisdiction or undertaking further study.

The scholarship, established by the Government Solicitors Committee, is an 'occasional scholarship' that is offered from time to time and covers travel, study and other approved expenses up to a maximum value of $10,000.

Background

John Edmund Hennessy was born in 1940 and started work in the Crown Solicitor’s Office in 1957. Admitted as a solicitor in 1965, he was appointed Assistant Crown Solicitor, Civil Law Branch, in 1980 where he worked until he was appointed as Acting Magistrate in 1996 and Magistrate in 1997. John then served on the Legal Aid Review Committee as the Attorney General’s nominee for 17 years. He retired on 31 January 1999 and died on 13 February 1999.

John served the Attorney General’s Department, the profession and the administration of justice for more than 40 years, combining the highest professional standards as a solicitor with a long and dedicated service to the public. In response, the GSC has decided to honour his service by sponsoring the Legal Scholarship.

Scholarship report

The successful applicant/s is expected to submit the written report to the GSC within six months of receiving the grant, which details the outcome of the research or study, including benefits achieved (this time period may be extended by the GSC where appropriate). The report should be around 1,000 words, the original work of the successful applicant, and of a professional, externally publishable standard. It may be published in the LSJ and/or the Government Lawyers Newsletter and must not have previously been published.

The report must not contain any information that breaches privacy or confidentiality obligations. Reports that do so may be rejected or the GSC may require that they be revised.

Additionally, it is expected that the scholarship winner will present the report at the annual Government Solicitors Conference.

Who can apply

The scholarship is open to current members of the Law Society of NSW with a valid Practising Certificate, who are also NSW-based federal, state or local government solicitors or associate members of the Law Society of NSW, excluding students.

The scholarship recipient will be awarded at the full discretion of the GSC. If no applications of sufficient merit are received, the GSC may determine not to award the scholarship. The decisions of the GSC are final.

Applications are now closed.

The scholarship recipient will be announced at the Government Solicitors Awards ceremony on Tuesday 7 September 2021.

Learn more about our 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 recipients.