Below is a list of the 14 legal practitioners recognised in the general division. 

Theodora Ahilas, former principal of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Ms Ahilas has been recognised for service to people affected by asbestos-related diseases and to the law. She has served as a “powerful advocate” for people living with debilitating consequences of dust diseases, including being involved in groundbreaking litigation for people from non-English-speaking backgrounds. 

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Maurice Blackburn chief executive Jacob Varghese said, on behalf of Ms Ahilas and fellow recipient Azmeena Hussain: “We feel very lucky and grateful to have had them within our firm and are thrilled to see this well-deserved recognition for their significant role in improving the lives of everyday Australians.” 

Timothy Daniel Bourne, principal of Bourne Lawyers

Mr Bourne has been recognised for service to the administration of justice and to the law. He has served as principal of Bourne Lawyers since 2000 and was prior a pro bono lawyer of JusticeNet and lawyer of Stanley & Partners. 

Mr Bourne is also a member of the Law Society of South Australia, Medico-Legal Group South Australia, Australian Labour Law Association, Society of Labour Lawyers SA and Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association. 

Hugh Burton Bradley, former chief magistrate of Magistrates Court NT

Mr Bradley has been recognised for his significant service to the law, to the judiciary and to the community. He was chief magistrate of the Magistrates Court Northern Territory from 1998 through to 2006 and was president of the NT Law Society between 1983-85. 

William Reginald D'Apice, former chairman of Makinson d'Apice Lawyers

Mr D'Apice was recognised for his significant service to the law, to the legal profession and to the Catholic Church of Australia. He is an experienced lawyer with expertise in property law, commercial law and the law relating to not-for-profits.

Mr D'Apice was also a principal legal adviser to the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Catholic archdiocese and dioceses and religious congregations. He is currently a solicitor and honorary advisor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. 

Azmeena Hussain, principal of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Ms Hussain has been recognised for her service to the community of Victoria and to the law. She has been the principal of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers since 2010 and was formerly a human rights adviser for Victoria Police. 

Ms Hussain is committed to advancing equality, social inclusion and access to justice. She has served advocacy roles within the multicultural, sporting and broader community, including as chair and director of the Islamic Museum of Australia. 

Sarah Louise Matheson, partner at Allens 

Ms Matheson has been recognised for significant service to the law, to intellectual property protection and to the not-for-profit sector. She is a current partner in Allens’ intellectual property group and a member of the pro bono committee since 2001. 

Emeritus Professor Wilfrid Robertson Prest, professor at University of Adelaide

Professor Prest was recognised for his significant service to tertiary education, to the law and to legal history. He has been an emeritus professor of law and history at Adelaide University since 2008 and an adjunct professor at the Law School. 

The Honourable Trevor John Riley QC, Chief Justice of the NT Supreme Court

Chief Justice Riley has been recognised for his distinguished service to the judiciary as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, to the law and to the community. CJ Riley was appointed in September 2010 following 11 years as justice of the Supreme Court and retired six years later.

CJ Riley is a former vice-president of the NT Law Society and former councillor of that society. He is a former member of the legal practitioners complaint committee, the law reform committee, the public purposes trust and the Legal Practitioners Admission Board. He is a life member of the NT Bar Association. 

Patrick Denis Street, former deputy chief magistrate in Victoria

Mr Denis has been recognised for his service to the law and to the community. From 1981 through to 1999, he worked in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and was appointed as deputy chief magistrate in 1995. He has also been a clerk of courts and an editor of the Magistrates’ Information Bulletin for four years. 

Patrick Francis Tehan QC, barrister at Victorian Bar

Mr Tehan has been recognised for his service to the law and to the legal profession. He has been a barrister with the Victorian Bar since 1977 and was a member of the Victorian Bar silks selection panel between 2011 and 2012. Mr Tehan has also been a treasurer and member of the St Vincent de Paul Society. 

Bret William Walker, barrister and former commissioner

Mr Walker has been recognised for his distinguished service to the law through a range of roles, particularly to national security and civil liberties, and to professional legal associations, which include the Victorian Bar and NSW Bar Association. 

Christopher Paul Webster, president of Association of Australian Magistrates

Mr Webster has been recognised for his significant service to the law, to the legal profession and to the community. He is currently a member of the Association of Australian Magistrates and was formerly its president between 2019 and 2020.

Mr Webster has also been a magistrate in Tasmania’s Magistrates Court, a hearing commissioner and a member of several legal associations, including Australian Insurance Lawyers Association and Medico-Legal Society of Tasmania. 

Daryl John Williams, principal and barrister

Mr Williams has been recognised for his significant service to the legal profession, to the community and to cancer research. He is a principal and barrister of Daryl J Williams QC since 1991 and was formerly a solicitor and articled clerk. 

Rosalind Williams, senior lawyer of Caxton Legal Centre

Ms Williams has been recognised for service to the law and the performing arts. She is a senior lawyer at Caxton Legal Centre and a coordinator of free evening legal advice clinics staffed by volunteer solicitors and barristers. Ms Williams also supervises students through clinical legal training partnerships.