Leading jurists and lawyers awarded

Outstanding jurists and lawyers have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, including Annabelle Bennett SC.

Dr Annabelle Bennett at Bond University. Picture: John Gass

Outstanding jurists and lawyers have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, ­including Annabelle Bennett SC, who has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia, the highest award.

Twenty-nine people were recog­nised in the honours list for their contributions to the legal field this year — 23 men and six women.

Dr Bennett, the president of the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, is among the very few Australia­ns to receive an AC, and was congratulated by NSW Attor­ney-General Mark Speakman.

“The award recognises Dr Bennett­’s contribution to intellect­ual property law and higher education­, including as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and an additional judge of the Sup­reme Court of the ACT,” Mr Speakman said.

“Dr Bennett is also leading the NSW Law Reform Commission’s work on modernising the way digital­ assets, like Facebook or Insta­gram accounts, are dealt with after death.”

Other recipients recognised for their contribution to the law include­ emeritus professor John Finnis, former Federal Court judge Dennis Cowdroy QC, community legal sector advocate Elizabeth Morley, lawyer and Richmond Football Club president Peggy O’Neal, and Nicholas Cowdery QC.

Professor Cowdery, who has been recognised as an Officer in the Order of Australia, was the NSW Director of Public Prosecut­ions for more than 16 years.

“Professor Cowdery contri­buted to the safety of our ­community … as a fiercely independent director,” Mr Speakman said.

“During this period convictions were achieved against backpacker murderer Ivan Milat, political ­assassin Phuong Ngo, the Skaf gang rapists and family killer Sef Gonzales.”