Newly admitted solicitor Emma Alford says Her Honour Justice Dalton’s words at this month’s Brisbane admission ceremony will stay with her throughout her career.
The Rose Litigation Law Clerk was one of more than 100 lawyers admitted to the Supreme Court during sittings at the Banco Court in Brisbane last Monday.
Emma Alford with her certificate.
“The moment I will remember for the rest of my career is when Her Honour, Justice Dalton, gave her speech at the end of the admission ceremony,” Emma said.
“She said all our years of formal study were over, and that in some ways our admission marked an end, but in the way of life, it also marked a beginning of our working life as a professional.
“She urged us to give some thought to what it means to be a professional throughout our careers. For me, being a professional means more than just adhering to a set of rules or standards; it’s about embodying a set of core values in every aspect of my work.
“It involves a deep respect for the people I will inevitably interact with, whether they are clients, colleagues or opponents. It’s about recognising that our field of work is ever-evolving and that there is always room to grow. I also think, and maybe most importantly, that it is about balancing confidence with humility – being confident in our skills and knowledge while remaining open to feedback and willing to acknowledge our limitations.”
And Emma chose a colleague who she deeply respects to move her admission.
“I chose Melissa Inglis, a Partner at Rose Litigation Lawyers, to move my admission, because she represents everything I aspire to become as a practising lawyer,” Emma said.
“She has consistently supported and mentored me from day one, offering guidance and constant encouragement every step of the way. From our very first interaction in my interview for a job as a law clerk, Mel has been a constant source of inspiration, showing me what it truly means to be a dedicated and compassionate lawyer.
Celebrating outside the court.
“Her guidance has not only deepened my legal knowledge but also reinforced my commitment to the values and principles that matter most in this profession. Her example motivates me daily to strive for excellence and to serve my clients with the same passion and integrity that she demonstrates.”
Melissa said it was a privilege to move Emma’s admission and echoed Her Honour Justice Dalton’s words to the new solicitors.
“It is certain that anyone who has had the honour of moving an admission would share the sentiment that it is both a profound privilege and a true distinction to be chosen,” Melissa said.
“Admission day signifies the culmination of a long and challenging journey for law students, and as Her Honour Justice Dalton aptly noted, it also marks the beginning of a legal career. To stand alongside and represent an applicant on such a significant occasion is a deeply humbling and nostalgic experience, even for the most seasoned practitioner.
“Emma’s admission served as a reminder of the vital role that practising solicitors play in shaping the next generation of our profession. A striking number of junior movers on that day were advocating for applicants with whom they had closely worked – just as I have with Emma – witnessing their growth, resilience, and the application of the soft skills that distinguish exceptional lawyers.
“It was evident that many movers felt an immense sense of pride and joy in supporting their applicants as they crossed this threshold into Queensland’s legal community, marking a momentous and celebratory occasion in their professional lives.”
Emma said the entire team at Rose Litigation Lawyers had been “instrumental in getting me here today”.
Emma signing the roll.
“Their constant support and guidance has been invaluable, providing me with the tools and confidence needed to succeed.”
She chose law as a career because it offered “a unique blend of intellectual challenge and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives”.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of dissecting complex problems and finding solutions within structured frameworks. Law provides a platform where analytical thinking and debate can directly impact real-world outcomes,” she said.
“This career has allowed me to channel my passion for problem-solving and empathy into something profoundly meaningful. It’s about engaging with diverse perspectives, advocating for fairness and constantly evolving as both a professional and a person.”
Admissions to the Supreme Court of Queensland before Justices Dalton, Williams and Brown on 9 September: Baddeley; Kawamata; Thorne; Aramini; Cranitch; Bakker; Kearney; Caswell; Moss; Roworth; Pattenden; Sharma; Adeniyi; Le Nita; Thorson; Bell; Chiou; Lukacs; Beckett; Sherrington; Thwaites; Dearing; Skinner; Chesser; Power; Ferricks; Bryant; Hutley; Parker; Collins; Scibor-Kaminski; Tighe; Alford; Riddle; Greig, C; Nolan; Wheldon; Battams; Mahon; Williams; Feeney; Mackay; Coleman; Grech; Freeman; Kenny; Mather; Powell; Barsby; Dunne; Ng; Yoon; Mahoney; Britt; Baker; Anderson; Scarcella; Qureshi; Johnston, D; Bernardi; Jones; Lim; Lacey; Nasim; Gunn; Al Ayass; Slender; Christensen; Nihill; Tucakovic; Harris; Perich; Wang; Wong; Ogden; Smallwood; Roche; Rainford-Markarian; Luo; Buchanan; Pham; Lindsay; Linzer; Bowden; Scanlon; Forrest; Pafumi; Proudfoot; Greig, P; Clifford; Scales; O’Donnell; Bellamy; Brown; McKay; Stevens; Winchester; Chow; Daley; Krummel; Davis; Holmes; Shaw; Purll; Hales; Kulibab; San Martin; Schlegel; Forbes; Rocca; Gallagher; Smith; Moffat; Shandil; Chu; Beveridge; Rahman; Alderson; Moloney; Quill; Liang; Thomas-Earle; Eshmade; Fleming; Mackenzie; Fitzpatrick; Lamb; Hawkins; Shin; Kuwimb; Phillips; Mary; Illing; Harms; Larin; Watkins; Park; Johnston, L; Lei; Papps; Thompson; Clark; Zeng.
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