Three of the state’s newest magistrates say they are proud to have been forged in the crucible of Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ).
Mark Schofield, Jakub Lodziak and Kellie Walker joined Lewis Shillito, Lisa O’Neill and Anna Smith in being welcomed to the bench at a ceremony at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
The six were appointed on 2 September and will take up posts across the state after learning the ropes.
Magistrate Schofield, who will preside at Mt Isa, said this would be the greatest challenge of his career so far.
He outlined his career in the law, which began at LAQ after he listened to a presentation by former Principal David Law.
“Listening to David speak about being a lawyer at Legal Aid really struck a chord. He spoke about a role I hadn’t previously considered as an option, a role helping people who would otherwise be left fending for themselves,” Magistrate Schofield said.
“At Legal Aid I was able to observe and learn from some of the great lawyers of our state, many of whom still work there.”
Magistrate Schofield’s time at Legal Aid Queensland began in 2002 and he was Assistant Director of Criminal Law Services for eight years. He was heavily involved in establishing Queensland’s first Domestic and Family Violence Court in Southport and has been an Acting Magistrate there for the past four months.
Magistrate Walker offered her congratulations to her new fellow magistrates.
“Having the five of you, particularly two of my LAQ colleagues, along for the wild ride that has been the past two weeks has been amazing,” she said.
“To be appointed to Cairns, the place where I have practised for the past 13 years and call home, is a dream come true.”
Magistrate Walker was Acting Senior Principal Lawyer in the LAQ Cairns office and had worked for Legal Aid Queensland since 2011. The 2020 Queensland Law Society’s Regional Practitioner of the Year is Vice-President of the North Queensland Law Association and member of the QLS Children’s Law Committee.
“I’m proud to be appointed from the solicitors’ branch of the profession. I hope my appointment to the bench as a regional solicitor shows those who are new to the profession that you can advance if you choose a career in the regions,” she said.
“Working in regional Queensland is a unique experience and especially in Far North Queensland, where we’re privileged to circuit to remote communities and the outer islands of the Torres Strait.
“To my Legal Aid Queensland colleagues, in particular, the Cairns office – you are all such incredible people. This past year, especially, you’ve shown not only your resilience but your commitment to ensuring the vulnerable members of our community receive access to justice.”
Magistrate Lodziak, who will preside in Southport and Cairns, said he was excited to be reunited with “some of my former Legal Aiders”.
“It was not easy saying goodbye to LAQ. I am thrilled that two great former Legal Aid Queenslanders, Magistrates Schofield and Walker, are on this ride with me,” he said.
Magistrate Lodziak had spent 19 years with LAQ, as a solicitor, barrister, and most recently, Acting Public Defender.
“The Public Defender chambers is comprised of dedicated and talented barristers, and to have had the opportunity to have led that group earlier this year was undoubtedly the greatest honour I was given at Legal Aid Queensland,” he said.
Magistrate Shillito has been posted to Brisbane; Magistrate O’Neill to Brisbane and Southport; and Magistrate Smith to Southport and Bowen.
The new magistrates were welcomed to their roles on Friday by Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath, Queensland Bar Association President Damien O’Brien and QLS President Rebecca Fogerty.
Share this article