Lawyer recognised for her generosity

• Elspeth Hensler is WA's most compassionate lawyer for 2014

• Award honours lawyers for pro bono work

A Como lawyer who has contributed hours of free legal assistance to help the disadvantaged is the winner of the 2014 Attorney General's Community Service Law Award.

Attorney General Michael Mischin presented Elspeth Hensler with the award today at a Law Week function.

The award acknowledges an outstanding local legal practitioner who has made a sustained 'pro bono' contribution of time and expertise to the Western Australian community.

Mr Mischin said Elspeth's introduction to pro bono work came while she was working in Melbourne, assisting war veterans needing help in putting together personal injury claims.

"Between 1997 and 2006, Elspeth co-ordinated the 'Mallesons in the Community' program for what was then the Mallesons Stephen Jacques law firm," he said.

"One of her key projects was co-ordinating fundraising to provide clean water to the Mekong River delta region of Vietnam through Care Australia. She has also acted pro bono for clients including refugees, tenants involved in property disputes, foster carers and war veterans."

When Elspeth joined the Independent Bar in 2006, she became the co-ordinator for pro bono requests to the Bar, matching requests for pro bono assistance with members of the Bar and from solicitors doing pro bono work seeking Counsel assistance.

The Attorney General said the calibre of nominees this year was especially high. The other finalists were Michael Tucak, of Cottesloe, and Lyn Ladhams, of Victoria Park.

Lyn is a Senior Associate in the Banking and Finance team of King and Wood Mallesons (KWM) and has been the co-ordinator of the 'KWM in the Community' program since 2011.

She has worked with the Salvation Army's Genesis Homeless Centre as well as the Street Law Centre of WA, giving specialist legal advice to people who are either homeless or at risk of being so.

Michael Tucak is the principal lawyer with local arts and entertainment legal firm 'creative legal' and organises free, pop-up legal clinics for artists, as well free legal consultations with some arts organisation members and through the Arts Law Centre.

Mr Mischin congratulated all of the finalists and thanked them for their inspiring and hard work.

         Fact File

• The term 'pro bono' comes from the Latin phrase 'pro bono publico', meaning 'for the public good'

Attorney General's office - 6552 5600