JESSICA Dowdy, solicitor and director at Hamilton law firm, Melville, Orton and Lewis Solicitors, has claimed the prestigious honour of being presented the President’s Award for Outstanding Service by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).

The LIV is the peak membership body for lawyers in Victoria with the purpose of fostering the rule of law, representing more than 18,000 lawyers and people working in law across the state, interstate and overseas.

The LIV has not granted the President’s Award for several years and only does so on a discretionary basis, if there is a candidate/candidates that satisfies the executive.

It recognises a voluntary contribution to the LIV or legal profession over and above what might reasonably be expected, in a particular field.

Ms Dowdy said she was thrilled to be nominated by approximately half a dozen local solicitors for the award.

“I’m ecstatic,” she said.

“It’s not something that country people usually bother nominating for as it’s usually very city centric - it’s a once in a lifetime thing.”

Ms Dowdy said she was nominated due to her contribution to the legal community through her many unpaid voluntary roles in the industry.

“I’ve been significantly involved my entire career with legal advisory and practice support, particularly in relation to family law” she said.

“I’ve also been at the forefront of policy and procedure with the law on a state and federal level.”

Ms Dowdy was recently re-elected by her peers for her sixth consecutive term as president of the Western District Law Association and is the first female in the role.

She is also the first female director of a law firm in Hamilton, and is a member of several legal advisory groups, including the LIV’s Regional Lawyer’s Reference Group and the Steering Committee for the Barwon South-West Family Law Pathways Network.

She has also been the young lawyers’ representative on the committee of the Western District Law Association.

Ms Dowdy primarily practises family law, specialising in intervention orders, criminal law, child protection and civil law, and has extensive experience in litigation and dispute resolution.

“I have been practising for the last 14 years now,” she said.

“Initially in Mount Gambier, SA, and I’ve now been with Melville’s for the last 12 years and have been a director for the last six years.”

Ms Dowdy completed a Bachelor of Laws at Adelaide University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Law Society of South Australia, was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Supreme Court of South Australia and signed the High Court of Australia roll, all in the same year - 2009.

“I’m very passionate about my firm and the profession and the areas I practise in - it can be very challenging, but it is also very rewarding,” she said.

“I really enjoy having the ongoing relationship with my clients and servicing the local community.

“In the twelve years at Melville’s I’ve managed to represent five generations of one family.

“It is lovely having that relationship with locals and providing the service to the community.”

Ms Dowdy has also been a committee member with the Hamilton Regional Business Association for several years.