Michelle Crowther PSM Excellence in Government Legal Service Award

This annual award recognises a public sector solicitor, or group of solicitors, who perform above and beyond their usual responsibilities, and is judged by the Law Society's Government Solicitors Committee.

Background
Michelle Crowther PSM was admitted to practice in 1986 and worked as an associate to The Hon. Justice Gallop of the Supreme Court of NSW. She joined Legal Aid NSW in 1988, working in the grants division as the senior criminal law solicitor. In 2008 she was appointed senior criminal law project officer in the Policy and Planning Division of Legal Aid NSW. Crowther was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List in June 2014; she died on 25 December 2014.

In recognition of Crowther’s ongoing commitment to the highest level of client service delivery at Legal Aid, the GSC has decided to honour Michelle Crowther PSM by sponsoring an annual award to celebrate government legal service.

Nomination requirements
The $1,000 award is open to both individuals and groups who:

• are NSW public sector solicitors,
• hold a current NSW practising certificate
• and are members of the Law Society of NSW.

In order to nominate a candidate, the nominator must also be a current solicitor member or associate member of the Law Society of NSW. A candidate cannot nominate themselves for the Award.

The award will be determined at the full discretion of the GSC. If, in the GSC’s opinion there are no candidates of sufficient merit, the award may not be given. The decisions of the GSC are final.

2022 Winner: Megan Smith, Legal Counsel, NSW Ombudsman

Hear from our previous winners