Queensland lawyer, Terry O’Gorman AM has been honoured today for his tireless work to protect civil liberties in Australia over a career spanning more than four decades. The President’s Award honours an individual who has been an ‘outstanding example to the Australian legal profession and to those who might seek to join its ranks’.
 
Law Council President, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC, presented Mr O’Gorman with his award at the annual Law Council Director’s Meeting, which this year was held virtually.
 
“There have been many highlights during my time as President of the Law Council of Australia,” Dr Brasch said.
 
“Being able to recognise the contribution Terry has made to our profession and our society, is a privilege I am grateful to have had.”
 
In 1991, Mr O’Gorman was awarded the Order of Australia for services to the legal profession. He is President of the Australian Council of Civil Liberties and the Queensland Council of Civil Liberties.
 
As an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, Mr Gorman is recognised by the Queensland Law Society (QLS) and the legal profession as an expert in criminal law, professional responsibility and police conduct.
 
“Since the 1970s, Terry has been instrumental in maintaining the rule of law in this country. For over 45 years, he has dedicated himself to educating the legal profession and wider community in relation to police powers and advocating for law reform,” Dr Brasch said.
 
“Terry’s involvement in the Fitzgerald inquiry and the legislative changes that followed, particularly in relation to policing, are outstanding examples of the significant and longstanding role he has played in upholding the rule of law.”
 
Together with retired Judge, John Robertson, Mr O’Gorman is a founding partner of Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors. For the past five years, he has sponsored the University of Queensland’s ‘Robertson O’Gorman Prize in Criminal Law’, which recognises the top achieving student in criminal law studies.
 
“Terry is a valued mentor to so many within our profession,” Dr Brasch said. “Judges, senior barristers and solicitors have benefited from his guidance and advice over the years.
 
“The award presented to Terry last night is the latest in a string of highly deserved formal commendations. He was named QLS Accredited Specialist of the Year in 2020 and awarded this year’s QLS President’s Medal.”
 
“Terry is a credit and inspiration to our profession who has championed long and hard on behalf of the community, particularly those disadvantaged or harmed because of an imbalance in power. He is a worthy recipient of the Law Council of Australia’s President Award.”