Pro bono lawyer Coby Foster decided to “wing it” on Saturday night after ruling herself out as a chance at this year’s Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards.
However the Norton Rose Fulbright lawyer was chosen as the Access to Justice Award winner, supported by award partner Bond University, from a field of four finalists.
“Someone said to me yesterday you should probably prepare a few points,” she told the City Hall audience.
“I thought there’s no way I am going to win so I’ll just wing it if I do. So I’m winging it. To even be nominated is an honour and then to be recognised as finalist was even more of an honour.
“This is really special. I am one of many, many lawyers who work in this space on a daily basis so there is nothing special about me. Everyone else who works in this space should be congratulated as well.
“I feel very honoured to work in a job where I get to provide pro bono support in a dedicated role every day, and have done that for the majority of my career.
“The most important and best part of my job is working with my clients every day and helping them obtain access to justice.”
Coby is based in Brisbane. For more than a decade she has worked alongside First Nations communities to have their native title rights and interests recognised. Coby now provides pro bono support to clients across a range of areas, in particular projects that benefit First Nations communities and the environment.
Serrina Kerry with Rebecca Fogerty and Uncle
Terry Stedman.
First Nations Solicitor of the Year Award winner Serrina Kenny, from the First Nations Women’s Legal Services Queensland, was also not expecting to win and apologised for her nerves at the podium.
She acknowledged all the fellow brothers, sisters, uncles and aunties in the room, and was supported by her “lovely grandmother”, who received a rousing round of applause.
“I do feel like this award is a bit premature as I am still quite junior in years and I am very thankful that someone nominated me,” Serrina said.
Serrina is a proud First Nations woman, of Yuin Wiradjuri Dhungatti descendent. She studied in Canberra before returning as a solicitor with First Nations Women’s Legal Service in Townsville.
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