Gosnells lawyer Funmi Adesina has been awarded one of the highest honours available, named the Law Society’s 2022 Lawyer of the Year during a gala ceremony at Crown Towers Perth last Friday.
The Canning Vale resident is principal solicitor for Gosnells Community Legal Centre, where she has worked for over 20 years since immigrating from Africa with her husband and two children.
Ms Adesina said she was working as a lawyer in Africa prior to her arrival in Australia, primarily in her home country of Nigeria and also in South Africa.
“I migrated to Australia in 2003, I was working or a lawyer for about eight years in Africa.
“In order to do my conversion program, I spoke to someone who recommended coming to Gosnells.
Ms Adesina started as a student volunteer at GCLC in 2003, and continued on after her one-year articleship as a volunteer before commencing official employment at GCLC in 2007.
“I’ve been enjoying the time and working with the people as an advocate for social justice, I keep pushing and pushing to make sure the community gets the best out of me as much as I can.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing clients cry tears of joy, feeling they are not alone, feeling supported and knowing someone is there for them, to listen to them and to walk with them to achieve the best possible outcome.”
In her submission to the Law Society, GCLC chief executive Sarah Patterson described Ms Adesina as a tireless advocate for women and reform in child support laws and policies in relation to financial abuse after separation.
“It is an incredible achievement by Funmi and we’ll deserved,” Ms Patterson said.
“This award is not just a wonderful reflection on Funmi as an individual lawyer, but of the entire Community Legal sector.
“It can often be thought that because our services are free, they are of a lower standard than private practice, however this award demonstrates that your income shouldn’t determine your outcome, and you can get top quality legal help regardless of your means to pay.”
Ms Adesina said she felt humbled to receive the award.
