For his long-standing commitment to pro bono work and his extensive assistance to litigants and the courts, Michael Gronow QC was awarded the Victorian Bar Trophy for exceptional individual achievement in pro bono advocacy at the Victorian Bar 2019 Pro Bono Awards ceremony last night (Wednesday 20 February).
The awards night celebrated the significant pro bono contribution of Victorian barristers and announced the winners of the 2019 Pro Bono Awards for legal services benefitting the Australian community and legal system during 2017 and 2018.
Guest speakers at the Pro Bono Awards ceremony were The Honourable Chief Justice Ferguson of the Supreme Court of Victoria, who hosted the awards, and Christopher Horan QC, the 2016 winner of the Victorian Bar Trophy.
“Hundreds of members of the Victorian Bar spend countless hours each year doing pro bono work, with more than half of members registered with the Victorian Bar’s pro bono scheme. The 2019 award winners were nominated by their peers who commended their work across a wide range of areas of the law,” said Dr Matt Collins QC, President of the Victorian Bar.
“Two underlying drivers motivate our barristers to do pro bono work: providing access to justice to those who might otherwise not be able to afford the best representation, and contributing to the efficient and equal administration of justice according to law.
“This year’s award winners have provided pro bono assistance and represented some of the most disadvantaged people in our community, including asylum seekers, people with disabilities, children in juvenile detention and others who are vulnerable and marginalised.
“Their selflessness is an outstanding example of the collegiality of our profession and how it bands together to provide high quality legal representation for those who would otherwise be unable to obtain it.
“The Victorian Bar has a proud culture and tradition of providing pro bono assistance. Later this year we will be announcing new pro bono initiatives which will further improve access to justice and legal equality for those most in need.”
The State of the Victorian Bar survey reported in March 2018 that:
The Pro Bono Award categories recognise commitment to pro bono work at varying levels of seniority and time at the Bar. Award recipients for 2019 are:
Michelle Hindson on +61 414 207 049 or by email to michelle@hindsonconsulting.com
Katherine Lorenz on +61 3 9225 7990 or by email to ceo@vicbar.com.au