LIV

This year's awards recognised excellence across the profession, including Honorary Life Membership, Distinguished Service Awards, President’s Awards for Outstanding Service, Paul Baker Award, Stephen Myall Award, Emerging Lawyer Awards, Emerging Lawyers Writing Competition winner and 50 and 60 year membership milestones.

Congratulations again to all recipients and milestone members recognised for their contributions to the LIV, the profession and the Victorian community.

Read the full media release: https://www.liv.asn.au/web/advocacy___media/media_releases/web/advocacy/media_releases/2026/liv-honours-lawyers-at-annual-law-awards.aspx

Last night, we were proud to celebrate the individuals whose leadership, service and contribution continue to strengthen Victoria's legal profession at the LIV Legal Awards.

Congratulations to our award recipients:

🏆 Paul Baker Award
Sara Kowal

🏆 MCV Stephen Myall Award
Sophie Ellis

🏆 President's Award for Outstanding Service
Antoinette Braybrook AM, Jarrod Behan, Tekan Cochrane, Jaz Goddard, Nadia Grech, Jeremy King, Lydia Eastwood, Jon Faine AM, Sarah Rizk, Patrick Smith and Simon Smith AM.

🏆 Distinguished Service Awards

Leanne Abela, Timothy Freeman, Matthew Hicks, Anthony Macvean, Wendy Kayler-Thomson, Alan Splatt, Richard Spurio and Demetrio Zema.

🏆 Honorary Life Memberships
Elizabeth Harris, John McPherson, Eugenia Mitrakas OAM and Stuart Webb.

⬆️ Congratulations also to the recipients of the inaugural LIV Emerging Lawyers Award: Janet Feeny, Randa Rafiq and Emily Rutherford. We also acknowledge Emerging Lawyers Writing Award recipient Donna Bye.

The evening also celebrated our 50 and 60-year members, recognising decades of dedication and service.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a memorable evening.

Browse the 2026 LIV Legal Awards recipient list here:https://www.liv.asn.au/Common/Uploaded%20files/NoIndex/2026%20LIV%20Legal%20Award%20Recipients.pdf

The LIV is proud to sponsor the 2026 International Access to Justice Forum: Evidence and Action.

From 28-30 October 2026, Victoria Law Foundation will bring together justice sector leaders, researchers, practitioners and policymakers from around the world to share insights and explore practical ways to improve access to justice.

We look forward to supporting the conversations, research and action that help build a more accessible and person-centred justice system.

Find out more: https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/event/international-access-to-justice-forum

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Criminal Law Conference, proudly co-hosted by the Law Institute of Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid.

In a first for our organisations, we're bringing together practitioners from across Victoria's criminal justice system for a day of practical learning, current legal updates and meaningful discussion. From bail reform and youth crime to ethics and key legislative and case law developments, the program is designed to equip practitioners with insights they can take straight back to practice.

With perspectives from the judiciary, private practice and legal aid, this conference reflects our shared commitment to supporting criminal lawyers and strengthening the profession for the benefit of the communities we serve.

Join us on Friday 23 October 2026 at RACV City Club Melbourne, or online, for a day of practical learning, including a keynote address from
The Honourable Justice Lisa Hannan, Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.

Register now: https://www.liv.asn.au/web/events/event_information.aspx?EventKey=CPD26C2210

The October/November issue of the LIJ is now available!

This month, explore:

🌱 Leadership insights for the next generation of legal professionals from Daniel Proietto, Managing Partner at Lander & Rogers, exploring the experiences, opportunities and lessons that have shaped his journey.
📝 Caroline Mense provides practical guidance for managing increasingly complex workplace sexual harassment investigations.
🔒 Monique Hurley and Sohin Mehta examine new research into strip-search practices in Australian prisons and the case for reform.
🏅 LIV President Tom Ballantyne AccS(Pl) celebrates the contributions of legal professionals and highlights the importance of wellbeing, inclusion and support across the profession.

💼 Plus, insights from practitioners and thought leaders on legal reform, professional responsibility and the future of practice.

Did you know? Members can access LIJ articles online, in PDF or in print: liv.asn.au/lij

🎙️ Happy International Podcast Day!

This year, we were excited to launch Cross-Examined, the Law Institute of Victoria's new podcast exploring the issues, challenges and opportunities shaping the legal profession.

Since launch, we've spoken with leading experts on everything from AI and cybersecurity to ethics, practice management and AML/CTF reforms, giving Victorian lawyers insights they can take back to practice.

If you haven't tuned in yet, there's never been a better time to start listening.

🎧 Subscribe to Cross-Examined wherever you get your podcasts.
liv.asn.au/crossexamined

New episodes coming soon 👀

New conduct rules apply under Australia's AML/CTF regime.

The Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Amendment Rules 2026 and new Rule 12 of the Uniform Legal Practice (Solicitors) Rules 2015 introduce changes to accepting instructions, client due diligence, terminating retainers and retainer agreements.

Read the article in full:https://www.liv.asn.au/web/law_institute_journal_and_news/web/lij/year/2026/09september/new-conduct-rules-underpin-amlctf-regime.aspx

We are also seeking a Head of Technology to lead our technology strategy, digital transformation and core systems, ensuring technology delivers exceptional member experiences, operational efficiency and organisational resilience. This role will work closely with senior leaders to deliver secure, integrated and future-ready digital solutions that support more than 22,000 members across Victoria.

Learn more and apply: https://liv.bamboohr.com/careers/255

We're seeking an experienced psychologist to lead wellbeing initiatives that support prevention, early intervention and positive mental health outcomes across Victoria's legal community.

Find out more about this role and apply here: https://liv.bamboohr.com/careers/251

We are seeking a Head of Strategic Delivery to drive the implementation of organisational strategy, lead major transformation initiatives and provide strategic advice across the organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and working closely with the CEO and Leadership Team, this role will help shape LIV's future direction by turning strategy into measurable outcomes and leading organisational improvement.

Learn more and apply: https://liv.bamboohr.com/careers/254