Notre Dame law graduate wins Australian Young Lawyer Award

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Spring 8-10-2009

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

The 36th Australian Legal Convention recently held in Perth saw the 2009 Australian Young Lawyer Award go to a Notre Dame law graduate, Matthew Keogh.

Matthew, who graduated from The University of Notre Dame Australia in 2004, was nominated by the Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) for his significant contribution to the profession and the wider community over a number of years, particularly through his involvement in the Law Society of Western Australia and legal policy development.

His work with the Law Society has been to provide service and benefit to the profession and the community at large through his involvement on their Council and committees.

He is the Deputy Convenor of YLC as well as its representative on the Society’s Education Committee, which is responsible for the Society’s Quality Assured Continuing Professional Development program and he is a member of the Society’s Access to Justice Committee and Equal Opportunity Committee, which is currently investigating bullying in the law profession.

Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Law, Associate Professor Jane Power said, ”Matthew’s obvious commitment to providing a service and benefit to the profession and the community at large is to be commended.

“His involvement in so many committees in addition to his own legal work demonstrates a commitment to community service that was evident even in his Law School student days. He is well deserving of this award.”

Achievements which were referred to in his nomination were his work for charitable fundraising events such as the Inaugural Young Lawyers Charity Lunch which raised funds for the Chief Justices Youth Appeal and Beyond Blue, with Justice Kirby featuring as a guest speaker, and his work with Starick Services and the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program State Advisory Committee.

The latter assisted the victims of family and domestic violence, who have benefited by being able to access services tailored to them and provided by a world leading organisation in this area.

Mr Keogh said that he was delighted with the national recognition.

“I am very honoured to have received such a national award and be recognised in this way. In my view the award honours not just my work but the work that many young lawyers do for the profession and the wider community, and serves as an encouragement to all young lawyers to offer their skills to the community where they are needed.”

Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 138

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