Gretel Emerson is a lawyer specialising in representing refugees and asylum seekers who fear persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics. They lead the LGBTQIA+ Safety Program at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), where they manage the growing demand for this service, run training and education across the legal sector, and advocate for systemic change and law reform. Gretel is passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly those who seeking permanent safety in Australia, and is dedicated to creating a comfortable and accessible environment for them to engage with legal processes. Gretel has 5 years’ experience in immigration law, having previously worked as a legal officer and associate at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and as a research assistant for the UTS Law Faculty & Anti-Slavery Australia. In 2025, Gretel was awarded the John Gibson AM Award for the Young Australian Migration Lawyer of the Year, and named a finalist for the Not-For-Profit Lawyer of the Year award at the Lawyers Weekly Corporate Counsel Awards.

Manoj Fernando is an accomplished legal professional, recognised with multiple awards such as Young Lawyer of the Year (Tasmania), Young Australian Migration Lawyer of the Year, and the Attorney General's Award (Tasmania). Manoj specialises in migration law, assisting clients with various visa and migration issues. He is passionate about social justice and has volunteered for community development organisations in Tasmania, viewing it as a form of activism and a way to connect with diverse communities. He is dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues through his volunteer work and is an active participant in national and international academic conferences, often presenting papers on restorative justice at institutions like the National University of Singapore and the University of Padova. Manoj strongly values continuous learning and professional growth as he is currently pursuing a PhD in Criminology at the University of Tasmania.

Ko Ko Aung is a Special Counsel at Albert Arthur Lawyers, specialising in immigration law with nearly five years of experience. He assists individuals and corporate clients across various visa categories, focusing on complex cases involving refugee and humanitarian claims, citizenship, and deportation. Ko Ko moved to Australia in 2012 to study law and later dedicated his practice to helping Burmese refugees, particularly after the 2021 military coup. He is actively involved in the community, contributing to organizations like the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre, Kaldor Centre, and ASRC Afghanistan Clinic. As an immigration advisor for the National Unity Government of Myanmar, he provides crucial support amidst Myanmar's political crisis. Ko Ko has received numerous accolades, including the “John Gibson AM Young Australian Migration Lawyer of the Year” and the “Outstanding Government and Legal” award. His mission is to help individuals achieve their migration goals while protecting their rights and dignity.

Bethany Rose is a litigation lawyer specialising in large-scale, complex disputes, with significant experience in class action proceedings in the Federal and Supreme Courts. Her expertise spans the energy sector, financial services, superannuation, consumer markets, natural disasters, native title, and human rights claims. She is also the Legal Programme Manager for Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific at TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation's global pro bono initiative, where she manages a network of NGOs, social enterprises, and lawyers, facilitating legal assistance and supporting strategic research on regional issues, particularly focusing on refugees and forced migration. Before joining the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Bethany worked with the UNHCR in Thailand on refugee status assessments and in private practice at Clothier Anderson Immigration Lawyers. She also served as a Judges' Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2014 and has extensive volunteer experience with Victoria Legal Aid and community legal centres.

Marial Lewis is a leading Australian immigration lawyer, recognised as an accredited specialist by the Law Society of NSW. She has won multiple prestigious awards, including Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 in 2021 and 2022, and the John Gibson Award for Young Migration Lawyer of the Year in 2020. Marial was also named a finalist for several national awards and recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 for social impact in 2022. She is featured in Who’s Who Legal – Corporate Immigration. A lecturer at UNSW, Marial teaches migration, administrative, and criminal law. After years in private practice, she founded Crossover Law Group, a forward-thinking migration law firm focused on innovation and efficiency. Crossover was a finalist for Innovative Law Firm of the Year in 2021-2023. Marial specialises in complex migration issues, including refusals, cancellations, and litigation, as well as corporate migration and global talent management.

• 2019 – Kim Heap
• 2018 – Mitchell Simmons
• 2017 – Adriana Mercado
• 2016 – Melinda Jackson
• 2015 – Marina Brizar
• 2014 – Besmellah Rezaee