10 lawyers were celebrated last night on the Gold Coast for long-time service and commitment to the Queensland legal profession.
The annual Queensland Law Society ‘Celebrate, Recognise, Socialise’ (CRS) events acknowledge the contributions of local legal practitioners and mark 25 and 50-year QLS membership milestones.
In addition to recognising long-serving members, they provide guests with an opportunity to connect with colleagues – last night’s Gold Coast function was the fourth of a series across the state in recent weeks, with others already held in Cairns, Townsville and on the Sunshine Coast.
QLS President Kara Thomson last night presented the Gold Coast-based lawyers with their membership pins, including 50-year member Michael Kyle OAM, honouring their achievements and continued support for the profession and society as a whole.
Michael Kyle OAM and QLS President Kara Thomson
“The contributions local practitioners are making and the time they spend volunteering for the benefit of this community, its lawyers and their clients is beyond outstanding,” Ms Thomson said.
“I would also like to acknowledge the significant number of volunteers from the Gold Coast area, members who volunteer their time to work on our (QLS) committees or speak at our events and share their expertise to ensure good law, good lawyers and public good.”
For the newly admitted solicitors in attendance, Ms Thomson said the occasion served to model excellence in law and instill confidence in their choice of profession.
“It reiterates to them what a collegiate and inspiring legal community they are joining, and hopefully inspires them to strive to similar achievements and wanting to leave the profession in a better place than when they started,” she said.
“The pinnacle of our legal careers is, of course, about more than just doing legal work – it includes the challenge of endeavouring to leave the profession in a better shape than we found it… and you all continue to do that.”
Last night’s 25-year pin recipients included Joseph Chan, Andrew Johnston, Robert Bosiljevac, Margaret Miller, Fiona Browne, Ronald Plass, Tien Nguyen, Jennifer Wickman and Joseph Ho.
13 QLS members are being recognised this year for 50 years’ service, and 112 are reaching 25-year milestones.
Brisbane and Mackay CRS events will be held in coming weeks.
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