Future Leaders Committee

As a civil litigation and dispute resolution lawyer, I have learned that the strength of a legal career rests as much on the people around you as on the work itself. I am a firm believer in building genuine professional networks, not for their own sake, but because the connections you make early are the ones you lean on when matters get hard. Knowing who to call, and feeling able to ask, makes a real difference to how you practise and how you cope.

The early years of practice are demanding. They call for sharp procedural knowledge, sound judgment and a fair amount of endurance. What I have found most valuable through that period is the willingness of colleagues to share their experience, talk through a problem, or simply check in. No one should feel they have to carry a difficult matter alone, and I am passionate about creating the kind of environment where reaching out is normal rather than a sign of struggle.

I also care about balance. Sustainable careers are built by people who protect time for life outside the law, and I want early career lawyers to feel that doing so is not only acceptable but expected. Looking after your wellbeing is part of being a capable practitioner.

My appointment to the Future Leaders Committee reflects my dedication to shaping a profession that supports, uplifts, and equips the next generation. Together, we can foster a legal community where early career lawyers don't just survive — they thrive.

Hi, I’m Sam Nelson, a commercial litigator with Axia Litigation Lawyers on the Sunshine Coast. Throughout my legal career, I've been involved in a wide array of matters in various practice areas which has given me a solid foundation and diverse understanding of the law. Around 2020, I pivoted careers following 10+ years in the financial planning industry, which was both a humbling and rewarding experience. I’m excited to assist other young lawyers both personally and professionally. By sharing my experiences, tips and traps that I’ve learnt, hopefully I can assist young lawyers (and lawyers to be) in finding their path in the industry. Outside the law, I enjoy spending time with my wife Sara and our sons, Charlie and Max. I’m also consistently involved with local sporting clubs and the Suncoast Community Legal Service.

I was admitted as a solicitor in November 2023 and work for a boutique estate litigation firm based in Brisbane and Toowoomba. Prior to getting into estate litigation, I have plied my trade in national commercial litigation and class actions practices. I take price in my curiosity and creativity, using these values to uncover answers to difficult questions. 

I am an avid proponent of collegiality and mutual aid being the most powerful tools available to us as professionals. Within the Future Leaders Committee, I am committed to fostering strong relationships through the profession and developing opportunities for early career professionals to learn from each other, engage in constructive dialogue and collaborate to build a strong profession for decades to come.

I’m a lawyer at Travis Schultz & Partners, based in the Sunshine Coast office. Since beginning my legal career in 2020, I have been fortunate to experience the profession from several different vantage points, within a barristers' chambers, then as an Associate to a District Court Judge, and now in private practice. After gaining exposure to a range of legal practice areas, I was ultimately drawn to personal injury law after seeing firsthand the meaningful impact it can have on the lives of injured people and their families. What resonated most with me was the opportunity to do more than provide legal advice. Personal injury lawyers have the privilege of helping clients feel heard, understood and empowered during some of the most challenging periods of their lives, and that is a responsibility I value deeply.

Being part of a highly regarded team of experts in this space, I have been involved in a range of complex matters and scenarios that have tested my capabilities as an early career lawyer and have learned some truly valuable lessons. These experiences have shaped my development as an advocate and reinforced my belief that the most effective lawyers remain lifelong students of both the law and the people affected by it. I am passionate about supporting the next generation of lawyers and fostering a profession that values curiosity, mentorship and continuous learning. Through the Queensland Law Society Future Leaders Committee, I hope to contribute to guidance and initiatives that encourage emerging practitioners to develop not only technical excellence, but also the resilience, perspective and sense of purpose needed for a long and rewarding career in the law.

I am an Associate at Bell Criminal Lawyers where I practice exclusively in criminal law. Since my admission in 2020, I have enjoyed the challenges of criminal law and the opportunity to advocate for my clients daily. 

The early years of practice can be daunting, and I know firsthand how much there is to learn during the transition from law student to practicing lawyer. Building confidence, finding your feet and navigating the profession takes time, and having the right people around you can make a real difference. 

I jointed the Future Leaders Committee because I want to play a part in making that journey a little easier for the lawyers coming through after me. I am passionate about creating opportunities for young lawyers to connect, learn from one another and feel supported as they find their place in the profession. I hope to help in fostering a profession where early career lawyers feel encouraged and supported to ask questions, back themselves and build careers they genuinely enjoy.

I’m Chloe, a human rights lawyer based in Brisbane with experience across discrimination, mental health, guardianship, and elder law. As an early career lawyer working in the community legal sector, I am passionate about supporting and encouraging fellow early career lawyers to work or volunteer in the community space. Through my experience I have developed insight into the challenges that early career lawyers may face when starting out in the CLC space, and I am eager to work towards improving professional development and mentorship opportunities for junior lawyers who are interesting in pursuing a career in the community sector.

Further, as the first person in my family to attend university and pursue a career in law, I understand the challenges that can arise when navigating law school and the legal profession without an established pathway to follow. This experience has shaped my commitment to working towards a more inclusive and supportive profession, which celebrates and encourages early career lawyers from diverse backgrounds.

When I am not at work I enjoy travelling and exploring cool places, eating good food, visiting Ikea, and sitting down with a good book (usually in the company of my cat).

My name is Isobelle Hewitt, and I am a lawyer employed with the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, where I practice in Family Law, and Domestic and Family Violence. 

Since my admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2022, I have had the privilege of working across private practice, volunteering for a community legal centre, and now working within one. Throughout each stage of my career, one thing has remained consistent: there is always something new to learn, new experiences, and new challenges to navigate. For an early-career lawyer, this can at times feel daunting.

I pride myself on taking a realistic and practical approach, while empowering people through education about the law, and the processes that underpin it. From learning how to draft court documents to understanding Court etiquette, knowledge is an important part of supporting others through their legal career.  

Through being a part of the Future Leaders Committee, I hope to share support, knowledge, and practical experience with young lawyers or future lawyers, particularly from a regional perspective.

Outside of the office (or the Court), you will find me playing social sports, reading a good book, or exploring a new hobby.

I was admitted as a solicitor in 2022 and have been with Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice since 2019. My practice spans criminal law and disciplinary and regulatory matters, where I regularly act in complex matters carrying significant personal and professional consequences for clients. Appearing before Magistrates and Judges in high-pressure environments has also given me an appreciation of how challenging the early years of practice can be, particularly for early career lawyers finding their feet.

Alongside my broader practice, I lead Gilshenan & Luton’s admission practice, assisting law graduates and applicants navigating complex suitability issues and their ethical and professional obligations when applying for admission as a legal practitioner. Working with early career lawyers at the very beginning of their careers has reinforced the value of good guidance, strong mentors and a supportive professional community.

Those things have also been important in my own career. The support of senior practitioners and my peers has played a significant role in my development, including my nomination as a Rising Star in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide. Through my involvement with the Committee, I hope to contribute to creating the same opportunities for connection, mentorship and support for other early career practitioners, while also encouraging a legal profession in which career development and life outside the law can coexist.

Hi, I’m Emma, a Solicitor with Tasc Community Legal Centre, working predominantly in family law, domestic and family violence, and child protection. I am also passionate about assisting survivors with applications to the National Redress Scheme and supporting clients to navigate what can often be a complex and challenging process. I am fortunate to travel frequently in my role and cherish the ability to provide legal advice to clients who live rurally and remotely.

Before my admission as a solicitor in May 2025, I spent more than 20 years working as a paralegal, which allowed me to build strong connections within the legal profession and gain extensive practical experience across a range of practice areas.

A significant part of my role involves appearing in the Ipswich Magistrates Court as the Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer, which I find rewarding. I also enjoy mentoring law student volunteers and supporting early career lawyers as they develop their confidence and skills. 

I strive to be approachable, relatable and supportive, particularly for those entering the profession. I am always happy to be approached for advice, guidance or simply a chat. Since my admission, I have made a conscious effort to say “yes” to opportunities and step outside my comfort zone wherever possible. In doing so, I have experienced many of the uncertainties and challenges that come with being a new lawyer, and I am passionate about helping others navigate that journey with confidence.