Greg McIntyre, who was Eddie Koiki Mabo’s solicitor in the historic 1992 case that recognised traditional ownership, won the Individual award for dedicating nearly 50 years to pro bono work, public interest litigation and human rights advocacy.
Circle Green Community Legal was chosen in the Not-for-Profit category for helping marginalised people statewide in workplace, tenancy, humanitarian and family violence law.
Barrister Kate Pearson received the Legal Aid Panel Member Award for her extensive work representing people in regional and remote communities.
The Law Firm award went to Mills Oakley for pro bono work carried out through the national community legal service it owns and funds.
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti announced the winners at the Law Society of Western Australia’s 2026 Gala Awards Evening on 4 September.
“Congratulations to the deserved recipients of these awards, which recognise and celebrate the lawyers and organisations who dedicate themselves to equal access to justice,” Dr Buti said.
It was the 20th year the awards have been staged.
“I want to thank all the finalists for the time and expertise they have generously dedicated to helping disadvantaged people access justice,” Department of Justice Director General Kylie Maj said.
Greg McIntyre is a barrister who has worked on landmark human rights cases and held leadership roles with the Law Council of Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia. He was nominated for the countless hours of pro bono work he has done for the families of children with disabilities facing discrimination.
Kate Pearson joins multiple criminal and family law Legal Aid panels and regularly undertakes pro bono work. She supports and mentors junior lawyers - particularly in regional areas – and demonstrates an exceptional commitment to social justice.
Circle Green Community Legal has played a leading role in campaigning for housing security and tenancy reform as well as for overhauling anti-discrimination laws. It also launched a nationally-recognised project to improve outcomes for protection visa applicants.
Mills Oakley has delivered more 7,100 hours of pro bono legal work across the past two financial years, worth more than $3 million. It has been of particular help to clients and communities in regional and remote communities.
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