New Non-profit Association Launches, Celebrating the Contributions of Filipino-Australian Lawyers

Melbourne, Australia – The Filipino Australian Lawyers Association (FALAW) will hold its official launch on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 at the Philippine Consulate General Office in Melbourne. Led by President Rochelle Castro of RC & Co Lawyers, the inaugural FALAW executive committee aims to create a visible, independent, and inclusive not-for-profit association of lawyers, uniting the Australian-Filipino community and advocating for their interests.

FALAW’s formation and registration as an incorporated association in March 2023 were spearheaded by RC & Co Lawyers following extensive discussions with Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo and former Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap in late 2022. The association’s primary objectives are to support its members in their legal careers, promote diversity within the legal profession, and highlight the contributions of Filipino-Australian legal professionals including mergers and acquisitions lawyers.

Although the Filipino community ranks as the fourth largest migrant community in Australia according to the ABS Census 2021, the exact number of legal professionals with Filipino heritage remains unknown. Recognizing the significance of their contributions, FALAW seeks to publicly celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and career paths of lawyers with Filipino heritage.

According to the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, the majority of legal practitioners in Victoria are Australian-born (78 percent), followed by the UK, Malaysia, New Zealand, and China. With over 90,000 practicing solicitors, the legal profession in Victoria boasts demographic diversity. Women, in particular, dominate government legal positions (69 percent), in-house counsel (61 percent), and solicitors working in the legal assistance sector (70 percent), as reported in the 2022 National Profile of Solicitors report.

The FALAW launch event has garnered support from the Philippine Consulate General Office in Melbourne, emphasizing the importance of fostering strong ties between the two nations and providing greater representation for the Filipino-Australian legal community.

For those interested in membership or seeking further information, inquiries can be directed to falaw@falaw.org. FALAW can also be followed on Facebook and on LinkedIn.