Combined legal experience of more than 250 years was on stage at the Legal Profession Dinner on Friday night as five practitioners were recognised with honorary Queensland Law Society (QLS) memberships for their services to the profession.
Twenty practitioners have been offered and accepted honorary QLS membership this year, starting from 1 July.
Five of these members attended the QLS function in Brisbane to receive their certificates and acknowledgement from their peers.
Honorary membership is offered to individuals who meet one of two criteria. First, those individuals must have dedicated and committed 50 years or more as solicitors and as members of the Society. Second, they are nominated to the Council as having made a significant contribution to the legal profession in Queensland.
QLS CEO Matt Dunn said: “Each of tonight’s honorary membership recipients have reached the remarkable achievement of 50 years of society membership.
“Their contribution to the society, the profession and the communities they serve is remarkable.
“Congratulations to all this year’s honorary members. You are inspirations for us all. 
CEO Matt Dunn congratulated the recipients.
“Your contributions have been instrumental in building the strength of the profession and your communities over decades, and tonight we honour your dedication and we thank those, especially your families, some of whom are here with you tonight, who have supported your lengthy careers of service and excellence.”
Those who attended were Richard Rylands, Peter Jones, Peter Sheehy, Gino Moro and John Redmond.
Richard Rylands
Richard studied law at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1972 and was admitted as a solicitor in Queensland in December that year. He was an articled clerk at Sholto Douglas and Douglas from 1970-1971. Post admission, Richard worked at the firm Power & Power Solicitors, before moving to the Public Trustee in 1974. In 1976, Richard established his own firm, Richard Rylands and Company, at Annerley. In 2018, he started his current role as a Consultant at Anthonys Lawyers, Mt Gravatt. Outside of work, Richard enjoys tennis and has represented Queensland in the National Veterans Titles three times.
Peter Jones
Peter completed his training as a solicitor through the Solicitor’s Board course, together with a five-year articled clerkship, under Ron Lowe in Brisbane. He was admitted to practice in Queensland on 5 February 1974. That month he joined V B Vadala at Stones Corner as a newly graduated solicitor. In 1976, Peter went into partnership with Vic Vadala until 1980 when Peter began trading as a sole practitioner. Apart from a brief stint in a partnership with friend and colleague, Don Gayler in Hervey Bay, in 1996 and 1997, Peter remained a sole practitioner until his practice was acquired by Gullickson Lawyers Pty Ltd on 31 January 2023. Peter has remained connected with the firm as the Legal Practice Director and will soon hand over the reins to the firm’s Principal, Sherri Gullickson.
Peter Sheehy
Peter studied law at the University of Queensland and was admitted to practice under Solicitors Board rules on 5 March 1974. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from UQ. Peter has been in private practice as a Principal and sole practitioner since 1978. He is a QLS accredited specialist in Family Law and Mediation Law. Over the years, Peter has served on a several committees. He was a member of the QLS Family Law Specialist Accreditation Committee for 12 years (1996-2008), including as Chair from 1997-98. He has held many leadership positions with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators, including as Chair of the Institute, Deputy Chair and Queensland Director. Peter was the QLS nominee member for the Legal Services Commission from 2019-2023.
Gino Moro
Gino studied Law at the University of Queensland graduating in 1974 and was admitted to practice in Queensland in March. Gino completed his articles of clerkship at Hill Collas Bradley & Short in Brisbane, and started his career as a solicitor in 1974 at Hill Collas on the Gold Coast. He became a partner of the firm in 1978 and continued as a partner of its successor firms up to the present Collas Moro Ross. In 2022, after 44 years as a partner, Gino became a consultant. He is a QLS accredited specialist in Property Law and has extensive experience in property developments and property management matters. Gino is a past President of the Gold Coast District Law Association and Honorary Solicitor and patron of the Gold Coast ltalo-Australia Club and Gold Coast Show Society.
John Redmond
John studied Arts and Law at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1971 and 1973. He was admitted to practice in Queensland on 8 March 1974. He was articled to the late John Boreham from 1972-73 at Cannan & Peterson before being employed as junior solicitor in litigation and family law until 1976. In 1977, John joined Francis & McGregor as junior partner, where he transitioned out of litigation into commercial property. In 1992, the firm amalgamated with Biggs & Biggs. John left Biggs & Biggs in 1994 and established a new practice under the name, Wilson Redmond. He specialises in Commercial Property and Estates.
Honorary members this year in admission order are: James Noble, Kevin Baxter, Trevor Gibson, Bruce Dulley, Robert Rudkin, Richard Rylands, Ian Millyard, Stephen Gray, Michael Kenny, Warren Boston, Peter Jones, John Grose, Peter Sheehy, Vincent Pennisi, Gino Moro, Ian Griffiths, Michael Hayne, David Lewis, John Redmond, William Millican.
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