Future Leaders Committee

I am passionate about highlighting the importance of work-life balance. Our first two years in practice can be the hardest, particularly when dealing with a large workload and difficult clients, and no time to dedicate to either of them. Our job is incredibly demanding, and it is easy to lose sight of the most important thing when it comes to succeeding (aka surviving) in this profession: work-life balance. I would love to dedicate time to supporting early career lawyers with mastering the art of work-life balance in the hope it helps them to not only succeed as a lawyer, but enjoy being one. After practising in criminal law for the last five years, I hope to offer a variety of knowledge and experience to the FLC and all those that seek its support!

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.

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 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.

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.

Fuelled by caffeine and social interactions, I enjoy every opportunity to engage with other lawyers and be on my feet in a courtroom.

Against the backdrop of criminal and child protection litigation as a government lawyer, in 2024, I transitioned into private litigation practice at Queensland’s oldest law firm still bearing its original name – Rees R & Sydney Jones – in Rockhampton.

As a fifth-generation local of the Central Queensland region, I love to show off all Central Queensland (and the law) has to offer. I intend to showcase to the early career lawyers all the opportunities and benefits of regional practice.

I am reputed for being an enthusiastic fit for the legal industry. You could hear my gusto for yourself on ABC Capricornia’s Breakfast Radio Show where I discuss various legal topics every Monday morning.

I expect that my enthusiasm will serve me well as I set out to close the distance between our regional and metropolitan young lawyers as a member of the Future Leaders Committee.  

I was admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2022 and the High Court of Australia in 2023, and operate notably across the dispute resolution & litigation, commercial, corporate & property, wills & estates, traffic & corporate regulatory and criminal law divisions. I have served as a Justice of the Peace since 2015 and received my Restorative Justice Practitioner Certification in 2019. I have also previously held the position of Co-Editor of the Griffith University Law Journal and as a former member of the Queensland Government Youth Advisory Panel. In 2024 I was also named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards in the Criminal Law category, and I have contributed my spare time to providing assistance as a Pro Bono Solicitor to the Griffith University Innocence Project since 2024.

Based out of Nyst Legal’s newly established Brisbane office, and as an early career lawyer myself, I understand and appreciate the need for strong and willing advocates to champion the facilitation of meaningful connections between young lawyers throughout Queensland and to assist others in the profession in all matters regarding personal development and professional growth. It is for those reasons and many more that I look forward to working with the Future Leaders Committee to advance that mission.

As a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer, I am committed to mentoring, professional development, and promoting wellbeing and inclusion within the legal profession. I believe in the power of building strong networks and driving meaningful initiatives that empower young lawyers across Queensland to grow with confidence, resilience, and integrity.

The early years of legal practice can be demanding, often requiring sharp procedural knowledge, ethical judgment, and personal endurance. I’m passionate about supporting early career lawyers through these challenges, drawing on my own experiences navigating complex matters in high-pressure environments.

Outside of law, I volunteer with the Suncoast Community Legal Service, providing pro bono advice and helping bridge the gap in access to justice.

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.