A lawyer who’s been helping disadvantaged clients for more than 40 years and a legal centre supporting family and domestic violence victims in prison have been recognised in the 2025 Attorney General’s Community Service Law Awards.
The awards celebrate and promote pro bono, legal aid and community legal work by lawyers, law firms and not-for-profit groups.
Criminal injuries and workers compensation expert Dr Rob Guthrie won the Individual award for his dedicated service through community legal centres, academia and law reform.
Redgum Justice took out the Not-For-Profit category for its work in Perth on the Leave Safe Stay Safe program helping prepare at-risk women prisoners for release.
Regional law practitioner Kate Fry received the Legal Aid Panel Member award for the cases she’s taken on around the State.
Lavan clinched the Law Firm category for its demonstrated commitment to pro bono work.
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti presented the awards at the Law Society of Western Australia’s 2025 Gala Awards Evening on 7 November.
“The lawyers and groups who volunteer considerable time to level the playing field in the justice system deserve to be recognised for their efforts,” Dr Buti said.
Department of Justice Director General Kylie Maj congratulated and thanked the winners and awards finalists for their dedication to community legal work.
“Redgum Justice has worked closely with the Department to deliver Leave Safe Stay, giving women prisoners the best chance of overcoming family and domestic violence,” Ms Maj said.
Dr Rob Guthrie is a founding member of Sussex Street Community Law Service and remains actively involved as a board member, consultant and mentor with a handful of community legal centres. His deep knowledge in the areas of criminal injuries compensation, workers compensation has provided critical support for disadvantaged clients.
Kate Fry is a Geraldton-based lawyer with her own firm who has spent her entire career in private practice. She has served on multiple Legal Aid panels since 2016, representing clients across the Mid West, Pilbara and the Kimberley.
Redgum Justice is a community legal centre based in Gosnells that has championed equal access to justice for more than 40 years. For past two years Redgum has led the successful Leave Safe Stay Safe initiative at Bandyup Women’s Prison providing wraparound support for more than 130 women before and after release.
Lavan has provided thousands of hours of pro bono services, worth $3.3 million over the past two years. With a focus on women and children, people with disabilities, youth mental health and indigenous communities, the firm has a compulsory program for graduates to do work for community legal services.
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