Lawyers who have made a “remarkable contribution” to the legal profession have been recognised by the International Bar Association with a series of awards. 

The awards, which were given in association with LexisNexis, recognised commitment in areas including human rights and pro bono work, as well as the IBA’s outstanding young lawyer. 

William Fry corporate partner Myra Garrett, who chairs the IBA’s Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI), introduced the awards at the annual SPPI Awards breakfast during the IBA’s annual conference in Mexico City on 19 September.

Sam Sasan Shoamanesh collected the IBA’s Human Rights Award in recognition of his contribution to advancing and protecting human rights worldwide. 

Shoamanesh is Iranian by birth and a Canadian citizen who resides in The Hague working for the International Criminal Court.

He was commended for working tirelessly to address some of the most pressing human rights issues of our time, such as supporting marginalised communities, combating discrimination and promoting international justice. 

Awards judges from the IBA’s Human Rights Law Committee added that Shoamanesh’s work has led to significant legal and policy changes and inspired “countless individuals and organisations to join the fight for human dignity and justice”.

India’s Vineetha MG received the IBA Pro Bono Award for her two decades of commitment to pro bono work and its impact in her country. Award judges from the IBA’s Pro Bono Committee noted that MG – who is a partner at Samvad Partners in Mumbai – has partnered with multiple non-governmental organisations in India to support issues such as gender equality and microfinance and to help end child marriages and gender-based violence. 

“Vineetha demonstrates sensitivity in understanding issues of marginalisation and supports our requirement of legal services to ensure we work with a rights-based approach on children’s issues,” said a nominator. 

Pakistani human rights lawyer Mashal Aamir won the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for her work raising awareness and advocating for the human rights situation in North Korea, as well as her academic work surrounding the rights of minorities and vulnerable communities, particularly transgender communities across the globe. 

Awards judges from the IBA’s Young Lawyers’ Committee said: “From Pakistan to Guantanamo, from South Korea to the UK, even before the United Nations, Mashal is leaving her positive mark everywhere. It seems she has done it all, but the great thing is she is just starting.”