The NSW Bar Association appointed Tony McAvoy to the top honours of senior counsel last week.
McAvoy, one of just two indigenous barristers in the state, was admitted to the bar in 2000 and awarded the inaugural National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year in 2010.
“Mr McAvoy’s deep commitment to Indigenous justice is widely known and respected,” said
Australian Bar Association president
Fiona McLeod SC of McAvoy’s appointment.
“On behalf of the Australian Bar Association, I warmly congratulate Mr McAvoy on his appointment as Senior Counsel. I am sure he will continue to make a valuable contribution to the legal profession long into the future.”
Despite the low number of indigenous lawyers and law students, McAvoy remains optimistic, saying that he expects many more with continued support.
“In countries like Australia where the rule of law does play a very strong, important role, there is the ability to make a huge contribution,” he told the Australian Financial Review last week.
“If we are not represented at the bar table, in the solicitors' firms, in those matters of consequence to the country, it denies us the capacity to engage in the important discussions that shape the country.”
Of the 26 silks appointed to the bar, just three were women. A full list of the appointments is below.
Grant Allan Brady
Anthony Peter Cheshire
Maria Maddalena Cinque
Wayne Thomas Creasey
Dominique Horgan-Doran
Timothy Hans Gartelmann
Jeremy Christopher Giles
Michael Green
Patrick James Griffin
Matthew James Johnston
Jean-Jacques Thomas Loofs
Anthony Logan McAvoy
Paul Rennie McGuire
David Alexander McLure
Edward Charles Muston
Gina Maree O’Rourke
Craig Christopher Patrick
Andrew Michael Pickles
Dominic Alexander Priestley
Paul Neil William Sansom
Andrew John Stone
John Barclay Turnbull
Dominic Robert John Toomey
Mark Justin Walsh
Christopher Scott Ward
David Michael Wilson
