The members and staff at List A Barristers congratulate Lisa De Ferrari SC and Claire Harris QC on their recent achievements in being nominated and receiving Awards for their outstanding pro bono work.
Ron Merkel QC Award – Lisa De Ferrari SC received the Ron Merkel QC Award for her stellar commitment to pro bono work. The Award is for pro bono work undertaken by barristers who are more than 15 years’ call or silks. Lisa, who was appointed silk in November 2017, was nominated by Maurice Blackburn’s Social Justice Practice. It is estimated that Lisa and her team of junior counsel, including Emrys Nekvapil, of List A, have contributed to more than 35 individuals and families being transferred off Nauru to receive medical treatment in Australia.
Public Interest/Justice Innovation Award – Claire Harris QC was part of the team of Counsel for the Barwon Youth Detention matter. The Award was for pro bono work which has a strong public interest element or has involved a procedural or substantive innovation in the law likely to enhance justice. Claire and the team of Counsel were instructed by the Human Rights Law Centre, on behalf of a number of detained children, concerning a challenge to the decision of the Victorian Government to gazette part of the maximum security Barwon Prison as a youth justice centre and to transfer children there.