Legal eagles swoop on community service awards

• Attorney General's Community Service Law Awards winners announced
• Law Week runs from May 15-19, 2017

Attorney General John Quigley has announced the winners of the annual Attorney General's Community Service Law Awards at a Law Week breakfast function in Perth this morning (May 15).

Lawyer Sam Vandongen and legal firm HHG Legal Group have been named this year's individual and organisational winners respectively.

Mr Vandongen's work included acting entirely pro bono as lead counsel for Pintupi man Gene Gibson, wrongly convicted of the manslaughter of Josh Warneke in 2010.

In the organisational category, the winning company, HHG Legal Group, has a long history of involvement in the local community, dating back to the early years of last century.

Comments attributed to Attorney General John Quigley:

"The pro bono contributions made by each winner are impressive and represent a significant amount of time and effort in helping the less fortunate in our community.

"Mr Vandongen willingly donated countless hours of his time to assist Mr Gibson, demonstrating his commitment to using his substantial legal skills to benefit our most vulnerable.

"Mr Gibson was subsequently released from prison, which was due in no small part to Mr Vandongen's efforts.

"HHG Legal Group's strong commitment to pro bono work includes providing free legal advice to hundreds of people living with cancer through the Cancer Council of WA.

"The company also offers free community legal clinics in three locations, open to any member of the community on a limited basis.

"I congratulate both winners on their profound contribution and unwavering commitment to the WA community."

Attorney General's office - 6552 6800