Government solicitors honoured

Solicitor Sarah Love from the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions has been awarded the 2018 John Hennessy Research Scholarship.

Love, who also graduated with a Master of Forensic Mental heath from UNSW last year, plans to research the drug court in NSW, Nashville Tennessee and Cape Cod as well as the case for a regional drug court in Lismore NSW.

“Having worked as a prosecuting solicitor in Sydney and Lismore, I have seen first-hand community members come through the revolving door of the conventional criminal justice system,” Love says.

“Problem-solving courts, their use and implementation have been demonstrated as being beneficial in making offenders accountable for their actions and playing an active role in their rehabilitation while reducing recidivism and assisting people to live reformed lives.”

Jeffrey Gabriel was awarded the Michelle Crowther PSM Excellence in Government Solicitors Award, for his work as director, solutions group at WIRO (the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office) . Jackie Finlay, a solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, was highly commended for her work in the development of national approaches to service delivery in the area of the National Disability and Insurance Scheme.

The awards were presented at a cocktail event following the 2018 Government Solicitors Conference at Doltone House in Sydney on 4 September.

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.

Applications are now closed. Look out for applications opening in 2019.

Learn more about our 2018, 2017 and 2016 winners.