Annual Law Awards

Celebrating Excellence in the Downs and South West Queensland

In 2023, the Association proudly introduced the Inaugural DSWQLA Law Awards during a special segment of the Law Ball program. The spotlight shone on excellence as two prestigious accolades were bestowed: Lawyer of the Year and Emerging Lawyer of the Year. This commendable tradition is set to continue annually.

These Awards aim to recognise and support lawyers who practice across the Darling Downs & South West Queensland. An acknowledgement that the talent, expertise and experience far extends beyond Brisbane City, these awards work to recognise the retention of talent and dedication to regional practice. 

2025 Key Dates

Nominations Open: 30 June 2025

Nominations Close: 8 August 2025

Finalists are announced: 5 September 2025

Winners are announced: Annual Law Ball - date TBC

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

• Nominee must be nominated by another person (no self-nominations);
• Nominee must be an individual;
• Nominee must be eligible to hold a current practising certificate issued by the QLS;
  
• Nominee must be primarily practising in the geographical region of the DSWQLA, to the satisfaction of the Selection Committee;
  
• Nominee must be of good character, to the satisfaction of the Selection Committee; and
  
• Nominee must not have previously won this award.
  

Criteria

• Performance:
• Achieved a high level of skill and/or office in their chosen field and has demonstrated excellence in their day-to-day legal practice.
• Leadership:
• Demonstrates outstanding leadership skills.
• Personal and Professional contributions to the region:
• Demonstrates a significant contribution to the wider DSWQLA community and commitment beyond the call of duty.
  

Lawyer of the Year

Emerging Lawyer of the Year

Eligibility

• Nominee must be nominated by another person (no self-nominations);
• Nominee must be an individual;
• Nominee must be eligible to hold a current practising certificate issued by the QLS;
  
• Nominee must be primarily practising in the geographical region of the DSWQLA, to the satisfaction of the Selection Committee;
  
• Nominee must be of good character, to the satisfaction of the Selection Committee; and
  
• Nominee must not have previously won this award.
• Nominee must not have been admitted for more than 5 years at the time of the submission of the nomination.
  
  Criteria
  

• Performance:
• Achieved a high level of skill and/or office in their chosen field and has demonstrated excellence in their day-to-day legal practice.
• Leadership:
• Demonstrates outstanding leadership skills.
• Personal and Professional contributions to the region:
• Demonstrates a significant contribution to the wider DSWQLA community and commitment beyond the call of duty.
  

*Selection Committee members, family members of the Selection Committee and teams or firms are ineligible for awards nominations*

How to submit your Nomination

Nomination Forms

• Nominator or Nominee to supply the nomination and supporting documents.
• Nomination and Supporting Documents to comprise of:-
• Nomination in the prescribed form, to be completed by the nominator and signed by both the nominator and nominee; (nomination form is available from the link below)
• No more than 5 pages of supporting documents (these documents can be anything you believe supports your nomination such as reference letters, your own letter addressing the eligibility criteria, articles or other short documents that have been published, such as newspaper articles, photographs etc.)
• Headshot.
• All documents are to be sent in one PDF document (excluding the headshot which can be submitted separately as a JPEG or PNG)