On Saturday 9 August, Brisbane City Hall came alive as we hosted our annual Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards, a night dedicated to celebrating the outstanding contributions of legal professionals across the state.
The event recognised excellence across 12 award categories, shining a spotlight on practitioners who exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership in Queensland’s legal community.
Congratulations to the 2025 Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards winners:
Access to Justice Award (award partner Bond University Faculty of Law)
Amber Buckland, Legal Aid Queensland, and Nadia Bromley, Women’s Legal Service Queensland
Agnes McWhinney Award
Pippa Colman, Pippa Colman Family Law
Emerging Leader Award (award partner Legal Home Loans)
Claire McGee, Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice
First Nations Student Award
Rikisha Phineasa, James Cook University
Graduate Lawyer of the Year (award partner College of Law)
Shelly Brown, Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers
In-House Counsel of the Year
Joshua Caeiro, Rio Tinto
Pro Bono Team of the Year (award partner legalsuper)
McCullough Robertson Lawyers
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Sole Practitioner
Robert Grant, Grant & Associate Family Lawyers
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Small Firm 2-19 PCS (award partner Westpac)
Belinda Kochanowska, Intrepidus Law
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Large Firm 20+ PCS (award partner First Title)
Anthony Conaghan, Thomson Geer
Regional Practitioner of the Year Award (award partner PEXA)
Diane Ruhl, Ruhl Family Law
Pride in Law Award
Denise Maxwell, Hensen Maxwell Solicitors
We're immensely grateful to our dedicated judges, esteemed partners, and everyone who joined us to celebrate excellence in the legal profession.
Award Partners:
Bond University Faculty of Law
The College of Law
PEXA
First Title
Legal Home Loans
legalsuper
Pride in Law
Westpac
Event Partners:
Bumbu Rum
Long Rays
For more information, visit the 2025 Excellence in Law Awards Winners page.
