The awards were open to the 14,000 lawyers in Victoria over a number of different categories, with the winners announced at a ceremony at Federation Square...

The ceremony saw the Bushfire Legal Help initiative recognised, following the work of 580 legal practitioners who volunteered their time to assist victims of the Black Saturday fires, while Tony Macvean, the managing partner of Hall & Wilcox took out the coveted managing partner of the year award, for his work in orchestrating the recent success and growth at the firm.

Other 2009 LIV Legal Award winners

The Paul Baker Award: Debbie Mortimer SC

Access to Justice award: Mary Anne Noone from the West Heidelberg Community Legal Service

Accredited specialist award: Chriss Molnar from McKean Park

Community lawyer award: Brendan Sydes from the Environment Defenders Office

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General award: Loch Adams from Adams & Garde

Government lawyer award: John Scala from the Australian Government Solicitor's office

Green initiative of the year award: Julie Fraser from the Australian Government Solicitor's office

Legal ethics award: Peter Rashleigh, DLA. Phillips Fox

Managing partner of the year award: Anthony Macvean from Hall & Wilcox

Mentor award: Hugh McKenzie from Harwood Andrews

Pro bono award: Jane Good from Brand Partners Commercial Lawyers

Regional lawyer award: James Tait from Tait Leishman Taylor Lawyers

Rogers legal writing award: Julia Avis and Emma Cahill from Minter Ellison