Queensland Law Society rang in the new year by hosting its largest post-COVID social event at Brisbane’s QEII Courts of Law complex on Thursday 12 February.
QLS 2021 President Elizabeth Shearer was joined by more than 230 legal professionals for the annual New Year Profession Drinks in the ceremonial Banco Court gallery.
Ms Shearer, in her welcoming address, said she was delighted practitioners could come together for the biggest event QLS had hosted in 12 months.
“People ask me what I want to achieve in my year as President of QLS in 2021,’’ she told the assembled crowd.
“The essence of my role is to facilitate conversations between, and on behalf, of our talented cohort of Queensland solicitors, to leverage our power to shape the legal profession into one with an even more promising future.”
Ms Shearer also paid tribute to Immediate Past President Luke Murphy for his role in steering the Society through a particularly trying 2020 as the world came to grips with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Luke met the challenge of the moment, and he did it in such a way that, as we look to 2021, we have a solid platform from which to build,’’ Ms Shearer said.
Concluding the address, Ms Shearer emphasised the value of integrity within the profession, and the value of the public’s perception of lawyers as trusted advisors to the community.
“The height of the pandemic demonstrated the essential need in the community for solicitors and legal services to maintain order and provide guidance during extraordinary times,” Ms Shearer said.
“I would like to challenge each of you to consider what more we can do, in ordinary times, to demonstrate our value to the community.”
One Response
I attended the event last night and would like to congratulate the organisers and Ms Shearer for the opportunity to share drinks and conversation with like-minded colleagues. The energy that felt all around was amazing and it seemed as if the world had come back to ‘normal’. Her speech was inspiring, especially her comment on integrity and to challenge oneself about what more we can do for our community.