Maurice Blackburn

A number of Maurice Blackburn staff members have recently been recognised for various achievements in the community.

NSW medical law practice head Principal Anna Walsh was presented the prestigious NSW Women Lawyer of the Year achievement award for 2011.

Anna won her award in the 'private practice' category for her excellence in practicing law, and commitment to supporting other women lawyers in their careers.

Also in Sydney, the firm's Knowledge Management team was awarded the 2011 Knowledge Management or Innovation Project of the Year award at the 4th Annual Janders Dean Law Firm awards on 22 September 2011.

The award was for improvements that help lawyers and clients better experience the law.

Maurice Blackburn's Canberra staff were recently recognised for their support of the Red Cross Blood Bank.

The office was presented with the award for the highest percentage of legal sector blood donations in the ACT over the past year.

Staff from our Canberra office participated in the 2010-11 Canberra Sunday Times Corporate and Community Challenge. The firm placed fourth overall for total legal sector donations and placed first overall for the highest percentage of legal sector blood donations.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Maurice Blackburn trainee lawyer Kaylene Rawlings Hunter was selected along with two other women to represent Australia at the 56th Session of the United National Commission on the Status of Women in New York next year.

The priority theme for the session will be the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.

Kaylene, who has lived in rural Western Australia and rural Victoria, is a trainee lawyer who is acutely aware of the important role that women assume in these settings. She is a member of the Indigenous Human Rights Network Australia as well as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance.

And lawyer Carla Stephens was recognised for her work with the African community in Melbourne.

Ms Stephens has been assisting the Somali Women's Development Association and the Eritrean Community of Australia, who form part of the African Think Tank, with their efforts to service the African refugee community in Flemington.

Ms Stephens celebrated the end of Ramadan at the Flemington Multicultural Eid Festival, where she was presented with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of her work with the community.