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Five Indigenous law students have been welcomed into the ‘family' of major Perth law firm, Lavan Legal.

The first and second year students were all presented with scholarships in the form of $1,000 worth of book vouchers to help them through the early days of their law studies.

The scholarships came out of Lavan Legal's Reconciliation Action Plan which was launched last month at a lunch to which the students were invited. Chairman of partners Dan Mossenson hosted the event and managing partner Greg Gaunt presented the students with their scholarships. Fred Chaney was a guest.

The students were recommended by the School of Indigenous Studies as those most likely to benefit from the firm's assistance. They are Micah Kickett, Laura Vincent, Katja Gvozdenovic, Dylan Collard and Angela Crombie.

"We are forging a relationship with these students," Mr Mossenson said. "They will be invited to Lavan Legal events and encouraged to participate in firm activities, to build a relationship with the staff.

"Our intent is to employ Indigenous lawyers and we hope that, when these students graduate, we can do that."

Mr Mossenson is the driving force behind and the chair of the committee for the Reconciliation Action Plan. The firm supports the Aboriginal Legal Service and Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation, among others.

"The whole firm is on board," he said. "It's not just about what we do at work but the conversations we have when we leave the office. We take great pride in being experts in the law, but also in being real people, in touch with real people's needs and problems."

The School of Indigenous Studies welcomed Lavan Legal's involvement.

"There are few specific scholarships for Indigenous law students at UWA ," said Gabrielle Garratt, the School's academic co-ordinator. "So the Lavan Legal Scholarships are an excellent incentive for students, not only financially, but also to connect students with a major law firm to assist with mentoring and in their future careers."

Published in UWA News , 16 April 2012