NEWS: Emma Dunlevie wins the ‘Access to Justice Award’ at the Victorian Legal Awards

Emma Dunlevie LIV Award
Pictured above: Emma Dunlevie, Paul Gleeson and Donna Rayner attending the Presentation Ceremony and Gala Dinner for the Victorian Legal Awards on Friday 18 May 2018.

Congratulations to Emma Dunlevie who on Friday night was named as the winner of the Law Institute of Victoria’s 14th Victorian Legal Awards “Access to Justice Award.

We also congratulate the AED Legal Centre which was joint winner of the award.

Russell Kennedy's Managing Director, Paul Gleeson, said: “This award is testament to Emma’s incredible efforts over many years to provide pro bono services to asylum seekers and others for whom access to justice would otherwise be denied.

It is also a great tribute to our pro bono team who have made such a positive difference to the lives of so many over that time.”

This is a very well deserved achievement for Emma who has worked tirelessly for many years as an advocate for access to justice in Australia and Asia, was instrumental in developing the firm’s pro bono program and manages the firms’ Pro Bono Practice alongside her commercial practice.

“I am very proud of our pro bono practice at Russell Kennedy. As lawyers, it is our ethical duty to protect the rule of law, and do what we can to ensure that marginalised sections of our community have access to quality legal services. I am particularly proud of our collaboration over many years with lawyers in the community legal sector, with whom we have worked to protect the rights and lives of many hundreds of refugees, including unaccompanied minors,” says Emma Dunlevie, who is Special Counsel at Russell Kennedy.

The Victorian Legal Awards is the most prestigious legal awards program in Victoria, dedicated to acknowledging the outstanding achievements of Victorian legal professionals, and brings together esteemed members of the judiciary, leading lawyers and members of the legal profession.

Russell Kennedy congratulates Emma on this well-deserved accolade.

Emma Dunlevie 

Principal

Emma’s practice covers all aspects of leasing and licensing transactions – retail, commercial and industrial. She acts for tenants, landlords, local government and state government authorities, as well as the not-for-profit sector.

Emma has extensive knowledge of retail leasing legislation in Victoria and other Australian states, and is experienced in handling tenancy disputes at mediation and VCAT. Emma is also Russell Kennedy’s Pro Bono Manager and leads our pro bono refugee law practice.

Emma Dunlevie