Former Associate to Justice Crowley Morgan Lynch saw a different view of the Banco Court yesterday during the first of four Brisbane admission ceremonies.
More than 90 lawyers were admitted yesterday by The Honourable Chief Justice Bowskill, Justice Dalton and Justice Boddice, who were joined by The Honourable Justice Lincoln Crowley, His Honour Judge Porter KC and Member of the Land Court McNamara.
“Having worked as an Associate so recently, though, it was very strange to be sitting in a courtroom facing the judges rather than behind the associates’ desk,” Morgan said.
“Being one of the subjects of the proceeding, rather than the person keeping the log and endorsing the files, was certainly a new experience. Although I hope this is the only occasion where I am personally named as a party to a matter in the Supreme Court!
“It was extra special to have Justice Crowley sitting at the bench for my ceremony, having been his very first Associate when he was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2022.”
Justice Crowley attended the court.
Morgan was also joined in court by her father Brad Lynch, who is a Senior Regulatory and Compliance Specialist at Heritage and People’s Choice, and moved her admission.
“Today was the first time my Dad and I had ever been in a courtroom together, though, so seeing him at a work event felt a bit like my two worlds were colliding,” she said.
“In the lead-up to the ceremony, he kept having to remind me that I did not have to explain to him what the protocols for appearing in court are or how an admissions ceremony worked as he had attended his very own ceremony 27 years earlier and appeared in court as a solicitor several times since.
“Both my parents have always been incredibly supportive of me, so asking Dad to move my admission was a very easy decision to make. It was very special to know that my mover was genuinely very proud to do so and knew in detail how hard I had worked to get to this point.”
Although Morgan admitted her Dad always joked that she could be anything she wanted to be, but not to become a lawyer.
“So, perhaps, in a weird way, choosing to pursue a legal career was my attempt at rebellion,” she joked.
“I think three factors mainly influenced my choice, though. Firstly, I love research tasks, dissecting complex problems and crafting persuasive and well-supported arguments, so the law seemed like an ideal way to combine these interests. Secondly, I have always been a huge, nerdy rule-follower and placed great value on fairness, so I was drawn to a career that is essentially all about understanding and applying rules. And thirdly, one of my favourite TV shows in high school was The Good Wife. I loved how shiny the female lawyers’ hair always looked on that show, and I secretly hoped if I became a lawyer then maybe I could look that fancy and have shiny hair, too.”
Morgan signing the solicitors roll.
In April, Morgan will start as an Associate in the Brisbane office of the American multinational law firm Jones Day.
“I am incredibly excited to work with their global disputes team and further indulge my passion for commercial litigation,” she said.
“Longer term, at this stage, I am considering a move to the bar a few years down the line. I am keen to experience working as both a solicitor and a barrister during my career and to hopefully continue being a regular attendee at the courts.
“Outside of work, I am looking forward to continuing to advocate for policy change as a member of the Queensland Youth Policy Collective, volunteering with Women’s Legal Service Queensland and playing the flute and the piccolo in the Queensland Law Orchestra.”
Chief Justice Bowskill warmly welcomed the new lawyers saying their admission was “not just a ceremony”. 
Chief Justice Bowskill
“Having now been admitted to the legal profession, you are officers of the court – owing your paramount duty to court and to the administration of justice, and having an obligation to protect and maintain one of the most fundamental elements of our democratic society – the rule of law,” she said.
“It is a high ideal and one that you should be optimistic, idealistic and proud of.
“Comfortingly, you do not do this alone and but rather as part of a broader collegiate, legal profession, and in partnership with the judges who are in essence the guardians of the rule of law.
“By its nature, any partnership is defined by trust, and we the judges have to be able to trust and rely on you or the system will not work.
“That is why the highest standards of honest and ethical conduct are called for.”
Admitted in Brisbane on February 19 before the Chief Justice, Justice Boddice and Justice Dalton: Alvites De Aparici, Premji, Bullock, Bird, Bemi, To, Ali, Leausa-Inu, K Mitchell, Brotherton, Marinac, Dabinett, Tomazic, Wiedman, Mosavi, Duckworth, Smith, Inglis, Mugabi, Hawkins, Pasagic, Williamson, Roublev, Way, Coulson, Ellis, Brandon, Colwell, Lean, Cohen, Michel, Gray, Casey, Shenoy, Griffiths, Shaw, Mahoney, Harding, Rogers, J Kennedy, Stubbs, Watson, Urban, Tamplin, Fenwick, Symons, Clarkson, Chapman, Soliman, Condon, Bryans, Li, Pringle, Absalom, Fudge, Doughty, Birtchnell, Podlich, Anderson, Bentley, Chan, George, Gorman, Shewell, Lo, Mcindoe, Attenborough, Cook, Marsh, Lum, Jonsson, Dowie, Gwynne-Jones, Goss, McDowall, Teakle, A Kennedy, Linklater-Steele, Conrick, Whitaker, Hale, Steele, Williams, Gorrel, E Mitchell, Evans, Maclean, Mifsud, Anand, Harrison, Pham, Hall, Nielsen.
Our Admissions section looks to celebrate all newly admitted solicitors and congratulate them on this significant achievement. Please email details to proctor@qls.com.au. Ensure you include some details of your current role, along with a quality head-and-shoulders image.
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