Future Leaders Committee

Right now, nearly 40% of Practising Certificate holders in Queensland are either 35 years old or under, or have less than 5 years post admission experience (PAE). This demographic, with their unique needs and expectations, are the profession’s new voices and they need to be heard.

The Future Leaders Committee (FLC) is a platform for next generation lawyers to launch their dreams, ideas and thinking for our profession. A committee of members who represent and advocate on behalf of their peers.

What does the Future Leaders Committee do?

The key responsibilities of the Committee include:

  • working closely with QLS committees and external stakeholders to improve QLS’s membership offering
  • raising awareness and advocating on behalf of their peers on issues affecting future leaders
  • assisting QLS with the development of professional development programs relevant to their colleagues and cohort
  • involvement and support for Queensland Law Society Emerging Leader Award

Charter

The Future Leaders Committee Charter is the governing document setting out the powers and responsibilities of the Future Leaders Committee.

View the charter

2026-2027 Future Leaders Committee

FLC President
Emma Kearney

FLC Vice President
Jordan Roles

FLC Immediate Past President
Mathai Joshi

Ordinary members of FLC

Gemma Kruger
Caitlin Littleton
Eloise Turnbull
Sam Nelson

Emma Kearney

FLC President

Emma Kearney

I am an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, having achieved the highest mark upon completing the course in 2024. Following my admission in 2019, I cut my teeth in Beenleigh, always carrying a file load of 100 or more and appearing for unrepresented defendants as duty lawyer. It was a baptism by fire, and I loved it. Early on, I received fantastic advocacy opportunities, learned to manage difficult clients, and had exposure to serious criminal matters that required tactical thinking. My ability and confidence grew after moving my practice to Brisbane in 2022, taking up a position at Bell Criminal Lawyers: my current firm. Every year of my career has presented challenges and opportunities to learn which I have relished, but I am cognisant of the fact that I wouldn’t have succeeded if it weren’t for the incredible support I have received from colleagues and mentors along the way. While I have always landed in great firms, I have watched some of my peers suffer in workplaces that provided little to no supervision, expected 80+ hour weeks from junior staff on minimal pay, and drove them into inevitable burnout. I too have found myself feeling burnt out on many occasions. Perhaps the most difficult challenge of my career has been coping with stressful matters in my personal life like grief and illness, while at the same time having to be present and perform at work. Our role as solicitors requires so much of us, and it can be difficult to keep all the balls in the air, while remaining sane. I think the profession can do a lot better when it comes to support, education and opportunities for early career lawyers, and I am here to make it happen.

Jordan Roles

FLC Vice President

Jordan Roles

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.

Mathai Joshi

FLC Immediate Past President

Mathai Joshi

My name is Mathai and I am a Senior Associate at Connolly Suthers Lawyers, based in Townsville. I practice in Criminal Defence, Domestic and Family Violence and Regulatory Law and am extremely lucky to be working at one of the largest and most successful firms in North Queensland. Connolly Suthers has always had a strong emphasis in supporting the local community, which is something that resonates strongly with me and rejoining the Future Leaders Committee.

I am committed to supporting early-career practitioners across rural and regional areas, with a strong focus on improving access to mentorship, professional development, and community-based legal services. I have been fortunate to have spent all of my career working in Regional Queensland and I am passionate about creating more opportunities and championing initiatives that empower young lawyers, especially those working in the regional/rural or remote space. I believe that working as a solicitor in these areas is a great privilege as it gives the opportunity for our communities to be equipped and serviced with the best legal support. 

I was fortunate to serve on the Future Leaders Committee previously and have seen the amazing work that is done to better junior lawyers. I am extremely excited to be working again with the committee to bring a holistic approach, with a regional perspective to ensure the profession continues to grow and thrive all over Queensland.

Ordinary member

Gemma Kruger

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.
Caitlin Littleton

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.
Eloise Turnbull

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.
Sam Neilson

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.