Graduate lawyer Chelsea Bodimeade knows the value of networking and is encouraging other newly admitted lawyers to attend welcome events this month.
There will be a Queensland Law Society (QLS) Welcome to Profession function in Brisbane on 21 February and Townsville District Law Association (TDLA) Noob Night the following day.
Chelsea was admitted to the legal profession in November last year, with Future Leaders Committee (FLC) member Georgia Athanasellis moving her admission.
“Attending the Welcome to Profession and other networking functions as a newly admitted lawyer is extremely beneficial,” Chelsea said.
“I know for myself as someone who is nervous yet eager to actually start practising the law, any opportunity to meet people who are, or have, navigated these feelings too would not only put me at ease, but create important bonds with other colleagues at a foundational part of my career.
“Admission day last year was a fantastic rush of nervous and excited energy. Different from my university graduation ceremony which was scheduled well in advance, I was thrust into the exciting and confirmed reality of my admission only the day before the ceremony when the daily law list was published.
“However, the best part of the day was having my dear family and friends, who might never step foot in a courtroom, involved in the unique ceremonial formalities and get a glimpse of the career path I am about to embark on.”
Chelsea has just completed an Associateship to a District Court Judge in Ipswich and will soon start in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at McCullough Robertson Lawyers.
New lawyers – Oscar Cole, Aimee Pucher, Kam Coffison and Levana Vaname – were admitted in Townsville on Friday, 9 February, before Justice North.
FLC President Sarah Plasto said the committee was looking forward to taking our Welcome to the Profession Events regionally this year, as well as continuing the tradition of the Brisbane events.
“It has been a focus of the 2023/2024 FLC to ensure young lawyers all the way across Queensland have a voice in the cohort, and we have had a focus on ways in which regional lawyers have a platform to contribute their voices,” Sarah said.
“We strongly encourage all new lawyers to attend these events, and make networking an ongoing focus for their career.
“It is so important to learn soft skills around networking, both to enrich your career experiences but also to positively impact your mental health and sense of belonging within the cohort.”
Event details:
21 February – QLS Welcome to the Profession, hosted at Law Society House, Brisbane
Meet QLS President, Rebecca Fogerty, and enjoy drinks and networking hosted by the QLS Future Leaders Committee. If you have been admitted in the last six months and would like to attend the Brisbane event please contact the QLS Events team, events@qls.com.au.
22 February – TDLA Noob Night, hosted at Buzuka (upstairs), 137 Flinders Street, Townsville City
Join members of the legal profession in Townsville, together with the Townsville District Law Association and celebrate those admitted as part of the ‘Class of 2023’. Register here.
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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