Future Leaders Committee

I am a Government Lawyer working with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Prior to my admission, I spent about 6 years working as a clerk in criminal defence law before moving across to State Government with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. Having had experience in both the private and public sector, I am passionate about connecting Government Lawyers with the wider legal profession. Access to mentorship, a sense of connection to the profession and a sense of belonging are critical to a young lawyer’s journey and career enjoyment, and I think sometimes these can be overlooked in the public sector. The wider legal community has a great range of initiatives, connection and support networks which can be difficult for law students and early career Government Lawyers to find if they are unsure where to start. I want to use my own experiences to drive change in reconnecting Government Lawyers and in-house Lawyers to the QLS and the wider legal profession.

I am a Solicitor in the Litigation team at Corney & Lind Lawyers with a focus in employment law, disputes and personal injury. Prior to working at Corney & Lind, I worked exclusively in criminal and domestic violence law on the Gold Coast for three years. At the start of my career, I saw first-hand how the wider legal profession can contribute to the growth and success of an early career lawyer, and how few were afforded the same opportunity that I had in having a great support network around me. In joining the FLC, I am passionate about bringing that same support to other ECLs and being part of a voice that represents us because I believe that the future of the legal profession needs what each of us have to offer. Outside of work, I contribute my time to serving the Board of Nambour Christian College and the Council of Lutheran Youth of Queensland.

I’m a solicitor in Townsville North Queensland, currently working a Connolly Suthers Lawyers. The firm is one of the largest firms in Regional Queensland outside of Brisbane, and I practice in Criminal Defence, Domestic and Family Violence Law. I am incredibly proud to be practising in regional/rural Queensland and I like to get involved in as much as possible. Currently, I am serving as a member on the Access to Justice and Pro Bono Committee with the Queensland Law Society, as well as a Committee Member for the Townsville District Law Association. I am passionate about advancing the issues important to the profession in regional/rural Queensland and helping Junior Members of the profession navigate through all aspects of practice. If I am elected to the QLS Future Leaders Committee, I promise to be a voice for regional and rural lawyers and advocate for greater opportunities and improvements for junior lawyers.

I am passionate, motivated and have a demonstrated commitment to contributing to the profession. I firmly believe law is a helping profession. However, in order to help our clients and the wider community, we must help ourselves as early career lawyers to be the best we can be, personally and professionally. I am an Associate at Rose Litigation Lawyers, practising in commercial litigation. My day-to-day work is varied and always interesting, whether it be a construction dispute, insolvency matter or a defamation claim. I was a Finalist in both the 2022 Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards and the 2022 WLAQ Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year Awards. I am the immediate Past President of Queensland Young Lawyers (after three years on the executive). I currently sit on the Law Council of Australia’s Young Lawyers Committee. I will be an enthusiastic advocate for Queensland early career Lawyers on the FLC.

I am thrilled to be part of the QLS Future Leaders Committee as an early career lawyer working for a general practice firm in Brisbane. Since my admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland in July 2021, I have practised primarily in the areas of Family Law, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation. I am passionate about working towards inclusivity and connection for early career practitioners to enhance their experience of life in the law, particularly during the early years when there are so many fantastic opportunities to explore. I am a strong advocate for the many different pathways that are available to lawyers during their career, and I believe that it is a privilege to be part of a profession which offers a career for life and something for everyone. I hope to be able to encourage experienced practitioners to become involved in QLS initiatives to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with those new to the profession. I am also looking forward to being able to give back to the Queensland Law Society, which provides immense support to practitioners and valuable resources to its members.

Hi - I'm Georgia, a young lawyer working in house at the University of Queensland. Since my graduation in 2018, I’ve been an Associate in the Supreme Court and at the Fair Work Commission, a graduate at Allens and a part-time secondee lawyer to a pro bono legal clinic. All these different roles, I have found the practice of law to be all about the human connections we make with our clients and colleagues. Never before was that more true, or challenging, than in 2020. As we move through 2022, we must continue as a profession to serve the community, but we can only do that if we first support each other. I hope that this Committee can work together to ensure that young lawyers from every part of our profession and our State are offered opportunities to connect and learn from one another so that all our voices can be heard. For that reason, it has been my great privilege (and pleasure!) to be a part of the FLC’s The Callover, a podcast created for your lawyers, by young lawyers.

I bring a unique perspective having balanced full-time law study, full-time work, and extra-curriculars concurrently before my admission. The pandemic restrictions highlighted to me mental health and isolation challenges faced by early-career lawyers, particularly when working in small teams across borders. I have witnessed how unmanaged stress in the profession can make good people leave if they do not feel supported or included. Consequently, I now actively connect students and young lawyers to special interest groups to find like-minded people, and advocate for creative pursuits as a means of managing stress. My strong commitment to giving back the kindness that was shown to me early on has led me to serve on the management committees of the QUT Law Society and Women Lawyers Association Queensland. Additionally, I maintain a creative portfolio through my involvement with The Legal Forecast and work as a corporate lawyer at McCullough Robertson.

Having worked in Toowoomba, Roma, Mount Isa and now Brisbane, I have insight into the challenges and nuances of working as a young lawyer in rural and metropolitan Queensland. I am excited by the opportunity of collaborating with and learning from like-minded practitioners with the shared goal of making meaningful contributions to the future of our profession. I now practise exclusively in family and relationship law and, with the support of Lander & Rogers, volunteer with both the Women's Legal Service and LGBTI Legal Service. Outside work hours, you'll find me on the netball court, visiting family or at the footy.  I am committed to contributing my time and effort to the Future Leaders Committee. I look forward to continuing to celebrate our achievements, and sharing in the challenges we face, as future leaders of the legal profession in Queensland

In the current age of ‘quiet quitting,’ ever increasing financial pressures, burn-out and poor work/life balance, the difficulties facing junior lawyers can feel insurmountable. Issues with mental health affect the entirety of the legal profession, and especially those just starting out. I have personally struggled with issues in previous workplaces that caused me to want to leave law; feeling overworked, isolated, without guidance, not good enough and under pressure to sacrifice personal commitments for work. I believe that there is more to be done to support and assist those in the early years of their careers. I currently work in commercial litigation at GRT Lawyers. Volunteering to advocate for my peers isn’t something that I would usually do but I am ready to step outside my current boundaries to make this a priority. I really do think that this should be a significant focus of the QLS moving forward.

Living rurally, I see the necessity for all members of the community (regardless of their location and socio-economic status) to be able to access quality legal advice so they can best protect their interests. It is my view that the ability to access quality legal information is particularly important to the younger generation. I have launched a social media page that provides legal information in a fun and engaging manner that demonstrates how succession law is applicable to them (despite being young and invincible!). I initially worked in a generalist law firm before moving to a national firm to practice in their Wills and Estates team, focussing on Elder Abuse, Estate Litigation and Constructive Trust matters. Outside of the law, I enjoy travelling, being outdoors and supporting local community events in raising money for various charities such as the Matt Hughes Charity, Protea Place and LifeFlight.

I am Solicitor currently working and living in Toowoomba. I was admitted in November of 2021 at 21 years of age and I have been lucky enough to have continuing support from more experienced practitioners during the start of my career. I believe it is important that young lawyers feel that they always have somewhere to turn and that crucial to maintaining the integrity of the profession is that young lawyers are provided with the guidance and support they need so that they may the best they can be in the early stages of their careers. As someone who has been fortunate enough to have that support at the outset of my career, I want to do what I can to ensure other young lawyers also feel supported as much as possible. In my tenure on the committee I hope to create meaningful connections with other young lawyers throughout Queensland and in my regional community, and identify advantageous training opportunities wherever possible. I currently work at Wonderley & Hall Solicitors, working in almost all fields of law but primarily in family. Outside of work, you can either find me holding a football or a guitar.

A native of the Gold Coast and an Old Boy of The Southport School, Jonathan attained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Griffith University in 2014, and was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2015. Having worked as a paralegal and law clerk with Nyst Legal since 2011, he has a wealth of experience at all levels in the conduct of criminal and commercial litigation in all Queensland courts, as well as criminal litigation in all New South Wales courts, and major consumer Law litigation in the Federal Court of Australia. Jonathan is an award-winning songwriter and musician and provides entertainment law advice to the music industry in Queensland. Since 2016, Jonathan has been a volunteer lawyer with the Griffith University Innocence Project, and in 2022, he was named Australia’s top criminal lawyer under the age of 30 by Lawyers Weekly Australia.

I am the current Principal Lawyer of the Mount Isa Legal Aid office. I have extensive experience in Criminal Law commencing as a clerk for the Director of Public Prosecutions Office in 2010 and subsequently joining Legal Aid Queensland in 2016. I am a strong advocate for the benefit of regional experience for young lawyers. During my time as a Criminal Lawyer, I have worked in various offices including Brisbane, Southport, Caboolture, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Mount Isa. The collegiate nature of the legal community is something I am passionate about. Previously, I have served as Treasurer of the Bundaberg District Law Association for two years and am currently the Treasurer of the North West Law Association. I attended the QLS President’s conference in 2022 and am actively involved in creating a positive culture within the Legal community.

It is important for younger legal practitioners to stick together and support one another. I actively seek connections with other practitioners and students to create a supportive network where we can share resources and ask questions without judgement. If I were given the opportunity to be a part of the Future Leaders Committee, I would promote collaborative and collegiate practice in a profession which has the capacity to be flooded with unnecessary conflict. I am practicing in Family Law, Domestic Violence and Child Protection. I volunteer at Northside Connect Community Legal Centre and am on the QLS Access to Justice Policy Committee. My special interests include gymnastics, scuba diving and Chardonnay.

Since my admission in 2017, I have been incredibly fortunate to have gained valuable legal experience in both Queensland and overseas. Throughout my time in the legal profession so far, I have worked in Gold Coast and Brisbane law firms in the areas of litigation, dispute resolution and insolvency; and also, in London at the largest public inquiry ever to be held in the United Kingdom. After having returned to Queensland at the height of the pandemic, I now find myself back home practicing on the Gold Coast. In applying for the Future Leaders Committee, I hope to be able to apply the broad experiences that I have gained in the profession thus far for the benefit of our community. The legal profession is changing rapidly, and it is essential that early career lawyers have a say in the future path that we take.

Kirstie is a Mununjali, Yugembeh woman practicing in criminal law with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Services – Toowoomba. Kirstie holds a dual Bachelor in Law and Arts graduating from USQ in 2020 with distinction. Before ATSILS, Kirstie worked in varying capacities from 2016 - 2021 for Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Toowoomba. She worked full-time while studying her dual degree, raising three children and volunteering with USQLS, Social Justice Commission Dignity Project, Off the Chain K9 Rescue, and USQ Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS). Kirstie now represents the local legal community as part of the 2022 DSWQLA committee. She comes with committee experience from USQ Law Society, for which she obtained the inaugural President’s Award in 2019. In August 2022, Kirstie was nominated for two awards with QLS, being the Emerging Leader Award and First Nations Lawyer of the Year Award 2022.