Nicholas Tebbey, a lawyer at Snedden Hall & Gallop, took out the prize for the best young lawyer in ACT at a Canberra Law Society function at the end of 2009.

The judging panel commended Teddey for a range of contributions to Canberra's legal community, such as lecturing, teaching, volunteering and fundraising.

But such contributions are a sidebar to Tebbey's innovative approach to law, and his adamant belief that practising law in 2010 requires much more than merely reading cases, textbooks and drafting lengthy advices.

"Clients want more value for their money," said Tebbey. "You have to focus on legal advice that is practical and, most importantly, accessible."

Ensuring such accessibility, added Tebbey, may involve adapting to new technologies as they emerge and constantly seeking out new ways drive professional development and networking opportunities.

It's an approach that Tebbey is already living using his daily life as a lawyer, notably through the range of communication methods he uses to interact with clients - especially social media methods - and ensuring that his advice is instant and interactive.

Tebbey said in a statement released by his firm that taking out the ACT prize was "an absolute honour, not only to be recognised for my efforts, but, more importantly, to be able to work in a law firm with strong community ties and which supports me in my endeavors both in and outside of the office".