2023 William Ah Ket Scholarship now open

Now in its sixth year, the scholarship – named after Australia’s first barrister of Chinese background – is an initiative by the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA). The award is designed to encourage students and lawyers in the early stages of their careers to contribute to the development and promotion of cultural diversity in the legal profession.

Applicants are required to research and write an essay on a topic relating to equality, diversity, and the legal profession or the law. The winner will receive $6,0000 while another $1,000 will be awarded to two shortlisted entrants.

The scholarship is open to all final year law students, law graduates undertaking practical legal training and lawyers with no more than five years’ post-admission experience.

Expressions of interest to submit an essay are open until 19 June 2023 with essays to be submitted by 21 August 2023. The winner will be announced in October 2023.

The award is supported by Maddocks where William Ah Ket was an articled clerk in 1903, prior to joining the Victorian Bar where he became the first Chinese barrister to practise in Melbourne. The Victorian Bar is a fellow supporter along with the University of Melbourne, where Mr Ah Ket studied.

This year’s judging panel includes Federal Court judge the Hon. Justice Susan Kenny AM, Professor Suzanne Le Mire from the University of Adelaide, and Maddocks CEO David Newman.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply are available on the AALA website.

About Maddocks

Maddocks is a proudly independent Australian law firm that works closely with corporations, businesses and governments throughout Australia and internationally. We advise national and international clients across infrastructure and development and the education, government, healthcare, and technology sectors from our Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney offices. Our specialist expertise includes dispute resolution and litigation, employment and safety, financial services, franchising and insolvency.