News

Voting opens at 9am for 2021 QLS Council election

22 September 2021

Voting in the 2021 Queensland Law Society Council election will open from 9am this morning, with 14 accomplished practitioners vying for positions to serve as ordinary councillors throughout 2022-23.

The race for the three top office bearers in the election was declared following the close of nominations at 4pm on Monday last week. At the close of nominations, QLS had received one nomination each for the roles of President, Deputy President and Vice President.

Therefore, the Returning Officer declared, in accordance with rules 33(1)(a),(b) and (c) of the Legal Profession (Society) Rules 2007 (the Rules), that:

Kara Thomson is duly elected as President of the Queensland Law Society commencing 1 January 2022
Michael Brennan is duly elected as Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society commencing 1 January 2022
Chloe Kopilovic is duly elected as Vice President of the Queensland Law Society commencing 1 January 2022.

As President-elect, Ms Thomson, who currently serves as QLS Vice President, will serve as President from 1 January 2022 after current QLS President Elizabeth Shearer’s presidential term concludes on 31 December 2021.

Ms Thomson is now in her third term as a QLS Councillor and was appointed Vice President in 2020/21, where she has been able to contribute to the profession through her role on Council and various Council committees, as well as the Supreme Court Library Committee, CPD Committee and Specialist Accreditation Board. Kara was a finalist in the 2019 Women in Law Mentor of the Year award.

Mr Brennan, who is based in Far North Queensland, has been elected to serve as QLS Deputy President throughout 2022 and will assume the role of Society President from 1 January 2023.

Mr Brennan is a long-standing QLS Councillor and the Principal of Townsville based-firm Offermans. With offices in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane, Mr Brennan has a unique understanding of the profession across regional Queensland.

Ms Kopilovic, who is also in her third term as a QLS Councillor, is based on the Sunshine Coast and commences as Vice President from 1 January 2022. A committee member for the Australasian Council of Women and Policing, Ms Kopilovic was the first female lawyer to achieve a position on this committee. Ms Kopilovic is also a director of Sunshine Coast not-for-profit hub Spark Bureau and a director/secretary for the charity, Uniforms 4 Kids.

It is the first time in Society history that two female practitioners under 40 will occupy executive roles on Council.

Congratulations Ms Thomson, Mr Brennan and Ms Kopilovic.

The race now begins for eight (8) coveted Council positions! On Monday 20 September, in accordance with Society Rules, a 15^th nominee withdrew his candidacy for Councillor and as such Peter Lyons will not be listed on the ballot.

The 14 candidates for ordinary member of Council (listed in the order electronically drawn in accordance with the Rules) are:

Voters are encouraged to view the profiles of candidates and to ensure their voices are heard!

Voting closes at 4pm AEST on Wednesday 29 September 2021. If you have any questions on voting, please see the voting FAQs or contact the Returning Officer at elections@qls.com.au.

QLS wishes all candidates the best of luck!