Awards night also recognises Luisa Sirianni of Transport for NSW, among others
The Law Society of New South Wales has awarded the President’s Medal, its highest honour for solicitors, to Emma Mason, an independent children’s lawyer (ICL) at Mason Mia & Associates, based in Bathurst in Central West NSW.
In a media release, the law society shared that Mason, whose 15-year-old daughter Matilda (Tilly) died by suicide after being a target of online abuse, pushed for social media reform and legislative changes at the federal level. For her efforts, she received an invitation to speak with world leaders and international media representatives at the United Nations this year.
Jennifer Ball, the law society’s president, presented the medal to Mason during the law society’s annual members’ dinner and awards night.
“The recognition of solicitors’ service to their communities is the first of my President’s Priorities for this year, and I was privileged to present Emma with this well-deserved honour,” Ball said in the media release. “I congratulate all solicitors honoured during this gala event that celebrates the best of the NSW legal profession.”
Ball singled out Mason’s determination and resilience amid tragedy.
“There’s no finer example of the service that the solicitor profession provides to communities across NSW and the nation than Emma’s work, both in championing policy reform and in providing legal assistance to some of the most vulnerable people to come into contact with the justice system,” Ball said.
Ball noted that Mason, as an ICL, strives to advocate for children’s best interests while embroiled in challenging and complicated family law matters.
“To bear this heavy professional responsibility, while also advocating across Australia and the world for reforms aiming to protect children from online harm, speaks volumes about the personal and professional qualities that have resulted in this award,” Ball said.
The law society’s media release noted that the President’s Medal recognises a person at the peak of their career who goes above and beyond to affirm the legal profession’s core values.
“These awards recognise solicitors who are dedicated to upholding the finest traditions of the legal profession, across all sectors,” Ball said in the law society’s media release. “I’m particularly pleased that many of the awardees, including the President’s Medallist, are working in regional areas that are commonly areas of unmet legal need.”
Apart from Mason, this year’s awardees included:
