Mahla Pearlman AO (1953) BA LLB The Hon Mahla Pearlman AO (1953) was the first woman to become chief judge of any jurisdiction in NSW when she became the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales in 1992. Mahla was also the first woman to be the President of Law Society of New South Wales (1981–1982) and the first female President of Law Council of Australia (1989–1990). Mahla Liane Pearlman grew up on her family’s property, ‘Herzlton’, near Boggabri in north west NSW. In 1949 she enrolled into Form 1 (Year 7) at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School as a Boarder. While at School Mahla was a member of the A Cricket Team and was on the Wearne Library Committee. In her final year at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School, she was on the Sports Committee and the Excelsior Committee and was a (Boarding) House Prefect. After completing her Leaving Certificate, she was the recipient of a Commonwealth Scholarship. Mahla enrolled into the University of Sydney and graduated with a BA in 1957 and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours in 1960; in March 1960 she was admitted as a solicitor. In 2008 Mahla was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of Newcastle in recognition of her work in improving the administration of the NSW Land and Environment Court during her time as its chief judge. The Hon Mahla Pearlman is remembered for her significant contribution to the legal profession and to the community. She was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in January 1985 for services to the legal profession, was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to the law in April 2003, and in 2004 was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the law, the judiciary and the community. Aside from her contributions to law, Mahla was also actively involved in many community groups, serving as Chairman of the Board of the War Widows Guild of Australia (NSW), Deputy President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, Chairwoman of Guardian Trust Australia, a member of the Police Board of NSW and a member of the Alzheimer’s Advisory Board. In a tribute to Mahla after her death, the CEO of the Law Society of NSW said she was ‘a highly respected lawyer with a fine legal mind, a much admired President of the Law Society, and a wonderful colleague to many in the profession’. Each year the Law Council of Australia awards the Mahla Pearlman Award for the Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year to a young lawyer who has made a significant contribution to environmental law. The award is a tribute to Chief Judge Pearlman’s achievements and the inspiration she provided to younger generations of environmental lawyers.