First Nations lawyer Matthew Karakoulakis hopes his recent success inspires young Indigenous kids to follow in his footsteps.

The founder of AMK Law, who has familial connections to Kokatha peoples and also Narungga peoples from the Yorke Peninsula, was recently crowned Indigenous Leader of the Year at Lawyers Weekly Awards.

It comes after he was named as the Most Influential Lawyer in Australia last year by the Australasian Law Awards. His law firm also recently won the award as Top Boutique Lawyer by Australasian Lawyer.

"We need more First Nations lawyers to advocate for our people, especially when it comes to protecting our rights and culture," he told the National Indigenous Times.

"Law is a powerful tool for change, and it's essential we have more First Nations voices in that space."

Mr Karakoulakis is passionate about giving back to First Nations communities and has established the AMK Indigenous Law Students Scholarship, which assists Indigenous students studying the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice with their studies and other needs whilst they're at the university.

His law firm also sponsors the Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring program which is implemented across all three South Australian universities on Kaurna land.

The 44-year-old also hosts his podcast called Rolling Through Negotiations which aims to give back to the community by sharing valuable insights into negotiation, leadership, and resilience.

The podcast is another avenue through which he mentors and shares knowledge.

By engaging in deep conversations with leaders across various fields, Mr Karakoulakis provides listeners with valuable insights into negotiation, resilience, and professional development.

This platform not only amplifies the voices of inspirational First Nations leaders but also promotes continuous learning and growth within the community.

"We prioritise building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and supporting First Nations businesses through legal advocacy, mentorship, and education," he said.

"I am driven throughout this focus for empowering First Nations peoples and Aboriginal businesses by providing access to high-quality legal advice and business guidance, especially in areas where it's most needed but least available.

"This includes actively participating in pro bono work, helping those who may not have the financial means to access legal services.

"These are just some of the ways, but ultimately AMK Law is about creating lasting impact, not just through legal services but by fostering growth, resilience, and opportunity within the communities we serve."

The leading lawyer said one of the biggest challenges facing First Nations people was the legal system wasn't designed with Indigenous knowledge or perspectives in mind.

He acknowledges the unique experiences and perspectives of First Nations peoples and tailors his support to meet their specific needs. This includes creating safe and supportive environments where clients feel understood and respected.

He says First Nations people don't get the representation they deserve because of financial constraints.

"Issues like land rights, protecting cultural knowledge, and just getting access to quality legal representation can be huge challenges," he said.

"Financial barriers are real, and they stop a lot of people from getting the representation they need," he said. That's why I try to offer pro bono work where I can and push to make legal services more accessible.

"Historically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been marginalised, with significant disparities in access to resources and opportunities."

Mr Karakoulakis is an outspoken critic of Black Cladding.

Early this year he launched a Battle Against Black Cladding Masterclass (BaM) series to stamp out the unjust practice.

Black cladding is when non-Indigenous companies boost their Indigenous shareholder base or claim to be First Nation businesses in a bid to win contracts.

According to the federal government's Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP), an Aboriginal business is defined as a business with at least 50 per cent Indigenous ownership.

Under the current federal IPP, three per cent of all contracts, and 1.75 per cent of the value of all contracts, must be awarded to businesses that qualify as First Nation businesses.

"I'd say awareness is beginning to improve, but there's still a long way to go," Mr Karakoulakis said.

"It's something we need to keep pushing for until everyone is protected.

"BaM not only sets out why an Aboriginal business needs to be done right but beyond this BaM gives the how… how true, legitimate and proper Aboriginal business outcomes are to occur."