RACS named 2024 Australian “Law Firm of the Year”
The Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) was named “Law Firm of the Year” at the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2024.
While RACS staff have previously won individual categories for “Migration Partner of the Year” and “Legal Support Officer of the Year” at the Australian Law Awards, winning “Law Firm of the Year” is a notable achievement for the whole team. It is unusual for a not-for-profit organisation to win a category generally dominated by corporate law firms.
“I am extremely proud of the talented staff at RACS who make our organisation the Law Firm of the Year in Australia,” said Sarah Dale, RACS Centre Director & Principal Solicitor.
“This award is recognition of what we’ve long already known: that community lawyers who provide free legal services can match – and even exceed – the top law firms in both the quality and impact of our work.”
RACS lawyers, paralegals and support staff deliver life-changing legal advice and assistance at no cost to people who have fled persecution to find safety and certainty in Australia. Our clients are among the most vulnerable in society: refugees, people seeking asylum and stateless and displaced individuals who have arrived in Australia after escaping dangerous circumstances. While people seeking asylum may benefit from many different services, legal help is the only service that can give them long-term safety.
“The team is highly motivated to do everything they can to obtain protection, permanency and family reunification for our clients,” Sarah said.
“It’s hard work and this award gives us all a little boost to persevere to get results for our clients, many of whom have been waiting more than a decade to call Australia home.”
RACS is a nonprofit organisation, relying heavily on pro bono legal support, volunteers and individual donations.
“RACS would not have the impact we have were it not for the pro bono legal work of various law firms, the efforts of dozens of volunteers and the generosity of our donors,” Sarah notes. “Their contributions make it possible for us to deliver critical legal services day-in, day-out, and at scale."
At a gala dinner held on 30 August 2024 at the Star in Pyrmont, Sydney, RACS was announced as the winner of this key category to loud applause and collected the award to the tune of David Bowie’s “Cat People”.
We want to congratulate all the finalists, including our pro bono partners at Hall & Wilcox who kindly gifted us a seat at their table at the awards ceremony.
Australian Law Awards – Law Firm of the Year – 2024 Finalists
Adero Law
AusLaw Partners
Chamberlains Law Firm
Clayton Utz
Hall & Wilcox
McInnes Wilson Lawyers
Pinsent Masons
Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) - WINNER
Seacliff Family Law
Sparke Helmore