The 2025 Australian Corporate Lawyer Awards recognise leadership, excellence in the provision of legal services, and the contribution made by in-house lawyers whether in government, NFP or corporate legal departments.
Winners will be announced at the Australian Corporate Lawyer Awards Ceremony and dinner, held at the JW Marriott, Gold Coast, on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
The awards highlight the importance, and reward the dedication, of in-house lawyers in their role as leaders, ethical guardians, legal advisors, and innovation partners in organisations across Australia.
The 2025 ACC Australia Corporate Lawyer Award Finalists are:
General Counsel of the Year
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| Georgette Apostolopoulos Acting General Counsel Carnival Plc |
Joanna Cappelluti General Counsel EssilorLuxottica |
Shannon Finch Group General Counsel Westpac Banking Corp |
Luke Meeve General Counsel PEXA Group Limited |
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The General Counsel of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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In-house Lawyer of the Year
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| Joshua Caeiro Senior Corporate Counsel Rio Tinto |
Alyce Conway-Mortimer Legal Manager - Insurance, Projects, Reinsurance And Distribution IAG |
Sophie Hollier Legal Counsel and Business Engagement Lead - National Security Telstra |
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The In-house Lawyer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Sole Legal Officer of the Year
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| Courtenay Willis Chief Counsel Nando's ANZ |
Sarah Standen Sole Legal Counsel Procreate |
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The Sole Legal Officer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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New to In-house Lawyer of the Year
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| Felicia Chan Legal Counsel INPEX Australia |
Antonia Kalcina Lawyer IAG |
Karla Mahmut Executive, Legal & Corporate Affairs Petronas Australia |
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The New to In-house Lawyer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Not-for-Profit Lawyer of the Year
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| Kiri-Ana Libbesson Managing Legal Counsel Settlement Services International (SSI) |
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The Not-for-Profit Lawyer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Environmental, Social and Governance Excellence
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Stryker South Pacific Legal Team |
Seqwater Legal Counsel Team Seqwater |
Charlotte Evans, |
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The Environmental, Social and Governance Excellence Award has been generously sponsored by
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Small Legal Team of the Year
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| Minor Hotels | Noumi Limited | Adelaide Airport Ltd | |
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The Small Legal Team of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Large Legal Team of the Year
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| Energy Queensland Legal Team | IBM ANZ Legal Team | AustralianSuper Legal Department |
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The Large Legal Team of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Legal Innovator of the Year
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| Joshua Caeiro Senior Corporate Counsel Rio Tinto |
PepsiCo APAC Legal Team | |
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The Legal Innovator of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Mentee of the Year
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| Jennifer Grant Director Legal Services Townsville Hospital And Health Service |
Janani Lawson Senior Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary Pepper Money Limited |
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The Sole Legal Officer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Mentor of the Year
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| Karen Grumley Head of Risk & Resilience Pacific National |
Lily Mitchell Legal Director Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) |
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The Sole Legal Officer of the Year Award has been generously sponsored by
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Huge congratulations to all the award finalists!
The winners will be announced at the glamorous Australian Corporate Lawyer Awards Ceremony and dinner at the ACC Australian In-house Legal National Conference, at the JW Marriott, Gold Coast on Thursday, 13 November 2025.