Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today invited nominations for the inaugural Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award.

“This new annual award provides the opportunity to highlight the significant contribution made by Indigenous legal professionals to Australia’s justice system,” the Attorney said.

The award is a bid to recognise outstanding Indigenous lawyers who have contributed to the rights of Indigenous persons in the legal environment or who have an exceptional commitment to providing legal representation, advice or assistance.

The Award recipient will receive $5,000 to further their professional development in the law.

Nominations are open to any Indigenous person admitted as a barrister or solicitor in Australia, and can be made by the nominee or their employer. Nominations must be accompanied by a statement of claim addressing specified selection criteria.

The Government will work with the Law Council of Australia to establish a shortlist of candidates from which the award recipient will be selected.

The Award will be announced by the Attorney-General at the National Indigenous Legal Conference in Canberra on 1 October 2010.