Auckland Branch
www.lawsociety.org.nz
NZLS Auckland Branch launches inaugural Lawyer Awards
Auckland lawyers who look after the needs of minority groups, show excellence in their first
five years of practice and demonstrate innovative ideas and methods in the practice of law
will be among those recognised by the inaugural 2012 NZLS Auckland Branch Lawyer Awards.
The five awards – Bell Gully Outstanding Service to the Community Award, Kensington Swan
Young/New Lawyer of the Year Award, Minter Ellison Outstanding Contribution to the
Profession Award, Meredith Connell Most Innovative Lawyer Award, and Russell McVeagh
Lifetime Achievement Award – will be announced in the first quarter of 2012.
The award winner in each of the categories will receive NZ$ 2,000.00.
Lawyers may nominate themselves or any other lawyer, and nominations will close on 1
December 2011. Candidates for the Awards will be judged by a panel consisting of members
of the Auckland Branch Council.
Auckland Branch President Chris Moore says: “The Auckland Branch is proud to offer these
awards with the support of Bell Gully, Kensington Swan, Minter Ellison, Meredith Connell and
Russell McVeagh in recognition of the tremendous contribution that lawyers make to the
community in the service of their profession.
“We often hear of our colleagues’ achievements in a social or work setting, and it’s time that
we acknowledge those that go the extra distance with the launch of the Lawyer Awards.”
____________________________________________________________________________
NZLS Auckland Branch – Bell Gully Outstanding Service to the Community Award
This award recognises the integrity underpinning every lawyer’s professional obligation to
serve the community and is for a lawyer who has made an outstanding contribution in this
area.
Criteria Guidelines

Providing pro bono/not for profit legal advice or services to community groups and
charitable organisations

Participating and/or applying their legal skills in voluntary humanitarian work

Looking after the needs of minority groups
NZLS Auckland Branch – Kensington Swan Young/New Lawyer of the Year Award
(a lawyer who has been admitted within the last 5 years)
This award is for a young/new lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and
achievements in their career to date, but has also shown a commitment to professional and
ethical standards.
Criteria Guidelines

Professional excellence

A reputation for advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility

Innovative approach to his/her practice

Other merits similar to the above and including pro bono work, assisting the under
privileged who may not otherwise have access to justice and service to the
community.
NZLS Auckland Branch – Meredith Connell Most Innovative Lawyer Award
This award is for a lawyer who has successfully introduced new ideas and methods that have
lead to a more effective way of practising law.
Criteria Guidelines

Absence of precedent – never been done or done quite this way before

Evidence of action – the innovative idea was transformed into action and not merely
reflective of best intentions

Effectiveness of innovation – there are some measurable outcomes to indicate that
the innovation is accomplishing what it was intended to do
NZLS Auckland Branch – Minter Ellison Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award
This award is for a lawyer who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the legal
profession.
Criteria Guidelines

Professional judgement

Service to clients and understanding clients’ needs

Has achieved a high level of respect for his/her abilities, professionalism, integrity,
ethics

Pro bono work

Courtesy and respect for other lawyers, judges, clients

Mentoring junior practitioners

Serving the public ethically, diligently and competently

High ethical standards

Leadership/independence

Upholding duties and responsibilities to clients and the Court

Facilitating access to justice

Practical wisdom/pragmatic approach
NZLS Auckland Branch – Russell McVeagh Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is intended to be a recognition bestowed on a lawyer whose achievements and
contributions to the legal profession during his or her lifetime are so outstanding that no
other award would be appropriate.
Criteria Guidelines

Work, achievements and distinguished service to the legal profession is above and
beyond the call of duty and expectations for performance in the position(s) held.

Enhanced the image of the legal community locally, as well as nationally.

Received recognition locally and nationally for his or her outstanding contributions.
Eligibility Requirements
1. All lawyers nominated for these awards must hold a current practising certificate as at
time of entry in the awards and when the awards are announced will be eligible for
the 2012 awards.
2. The action and/or contribution must have taken place within the three years prior to
submitting an entry to these awards. This does not apply to the Russell McVeagh
‘Lifetime Award’.
Lawyers may nominate themselves or any other lawyer.
Nominations and Judging
Nominations close on 1 December 2011. Nomination forms included.
Nominators will be contacted by a member of the Judging Panel to discuss the nomination
and provide additional supporting information if considered necessary.
Judging Panel
Candidates for the NZLS Auckland Branch Awards will be judged by a panel consisting of
members of the Auckland Branch Council.
For further information contact:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
Nomination for NZLS Auckland Branch – Bell Gully
Outstanding Service to the Community Award 2012
Details
Nominee’s Name (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Contact Address
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
Nominated by (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Relationship to nominee
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
I consent to my name being notified to the Nominee (delete if you do not consent)
Signature of Nominator
__________________________________
Nominee’s Consent (delete one)
EITHER
The nominee agrees to the nomination and confirms that he/she is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or
will be current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Signature of nominee
__________________________________
OR
This is a secret nomination. I believe that the nominee is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or will be
current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Important Notes
1.
Nominator must complete nomination (no more than 300 words) on an attached page.
2.
When completed the Nomination Form must be returned to:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
3.
Whilst nominees can be nominated in more than one category, they can only win one award.
4.
All lawyers with practising certificates valid at time of entry and when the awards are announced will be
eligible for the 2012 awards.
5.
Nominations must (if by email) be sent or (if by post) postmarked on or before 1 December 2011.
Nomination for NZLS Auckland Branch – Kensington Swan
Young/New Lawyer of the Year Award 2012
(a lawyer who has been admitted in the last 5 years)
Details
Nominee’s Name (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Contact Address
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
Nominated by (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Relationship to nominee
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
I consent to my name being notified to the Nominee (delete if you do not consent)
Signature of Nominator
__________________________________
Nominee’s Consent (delete one)
EITHER
The nominee agrees to the nomination and confirms that he/she is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or
will be current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Signature of nominee
__________________________________
OR
This is a secret nomination. I believe that the nominee is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or will be
current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Important Notes
1.
Nominator must complete nomination (no more than 300 words) on an attached page.
2.
When completed the Nomination Form must be returned to:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
3.
Whilst nominees can be nominated in more than one category, they can only win one award.
4.
All lawyers with practising certificates valid at time of entry and when the awards are announced will be
eligible for the 2012 awards.
5.
Nominations must (if by email) be sent or (if by post) postmarked on or before 1 December 2011.
Nomination for NZLS Auckland Branch – Meredith Connell
Most Innovative Lawyer Award 2012
Details
Nominee’s Name (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Contact Address
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
Nominated by (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Relationship to nominee
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
I consent to my name being notified to the Nominee (delete if you do not consent)
Signature of Nominator
__________________________________
Nominee’s Consent (delete one)
EITHER
The nominee agrees to the nomination and confirms that he/she is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or
will be current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Signature of nominee
__________________________________
OR
This is a secret nomination. I believe that the nominee is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or will be
current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Important Notes
1.
Nominator must complete nomination (no more than 300 words) on an attached page.
2.
When completed the Nomination Form must be returned to:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
3.
Whilst nominees can be nominated in more than one category, they can only win one award.
4.
All lawyers with practising certificates valid at time of entry and when the awards are announced will be
eligible for the 2012 awards.
5.
Nominations must (if by email) be sent or (if by post) postmarked on or before 1 December 2011.
Nomination for NZLS Auckland Branch – Minter Ellison
Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award 2012
Details
Nominee’s Name (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Contact Address
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
Nominated by (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Relationship to nominee
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
I consent to my name being notified to the Nominee (delete if you do not consent)
Signature of Nominator
__________________________________
Nominee’s Consent (delete one)
EITHER
The nominee agrees to the nomination and confirms that he/she is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or
will be current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Signature of nominee
__________________________________
OR
This is a secret nomination. I believe that the nominee is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or will be
current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Important Notes
1.
Nominator must complete nomination (no more than 300 words) on an attached page.
2.
When completed the Nomination Form must be returned to:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
3.
Whilst nominees can be nominated in more than one category, they can only win one award.
4.
All lawyers with practising certificates valid at time of entry and when the awards are announced will be
eligible for the 2012 awards.
5.
Nominations must (if by email) be sent or (if by post) postmarked on or before 1 December 2011.
Nomination for NZLS Auckland Branch – Russell McVeagh
Lifetime Achievement Award 2012
Details
Nominee’s Name (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Contact Address
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
Nominated by (please print)
__________________________________
Position / Employer
__________________________________
Relationship to nominee
__________________________________
Telephone Number
__________________________________
Email
__________________________________
I consent to my name being notified to the Nominee (delete if you do not consent)
Signature of Nominator
__________________________________
Nominee’s Consent (delete one)
EITHER
The nominee agrees to the nomination and confirms that he/she is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or
will be current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Signature of nominee
__________________________________
OR
This is a secret nomination. I believe that the nominee is a lawyer with a practicing certificate that is, or will be
current, on 1 December 2011 when nominations close. (Refer part 4 below).
Important Notes
1.
Nominator must complete nomination (no more than 300 words) on an attached page.
2.
When completed the Nomination Form must be returned to:
Glenda Macdonald
General Manager Representative/Auckland Branch Manager
New Zealand Law Society
PO Box 4417
AUCKLAND
Email: [email protected]
3.
Whilst nominees can be nominated in more than one category, they can only win one award.
4.
All lawyers with practising certificates valid at time of entry and when the awards are announced will be
eligible for the 2012 awards.
5.
Nominations must (if by email) be sent or (if by post) postmarked on or before 1 December 2011.