RedHill Legal Senior Associate Shane Hough isn’t one to crow about his achievements yet he was recognised as Downs and South West Queensland Law Association (DSWQLA) Lawyer of the Year.
The former barrister was named as the winner at the DSWQLA Annual Law Ball and Awards Night in Toowoomba earlier this month, following the success of last year’s inaugural event.
‘’I am incredibly humbled and honoured to receive this award for simply doing my job,’’ Shane said.
‘’But this award is also acknowledgement of the many, many wonderful lawyers we have in our region who do outstanding work every day of the week.
‘’All of you have helped me provide a mouthpiece for the voiceless, the vulnerable, disadvantaged, children, those suffering DV and those with mental illness.
‘’The work is challenging, sometimes heart-breaking, but I like to think I make a small difference.
‘’In the words of Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd – “Sarjent at Arms” – an English lawyer and jurist from the mid 1800s: ‘The first lesson all should learn is sympathy. What does it benefit you to enjoy the privileges and trappings of your profession if you don’t have empathy to understand those different to you – without this you may never achieve anything noble or glorious.‘“
And while some in the profession wind down with a round of golf or a glass of fine wine, Shane is a little different – he is a proud poultry-keeper.
“I have nags and chooks,’’ he admits with a chuckle.
“Horses and show poultry were a childhood passion that I rekindled once I became established in the legal profession.
“They are my go-to ‘happy place’ where I can escape the challenging and confronting issues I deal with on a daily basis.’’
Shane heads up the Criminal Law and Child Protection Department. Formerly a barrister in a private practice for 24 years, he represents clients in a variety of matters from driving offences before the Magistrates Court, to complex serious offences in the District and Supreme Courts.
Shane is known in the firm for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and strong advocacy skills.
He also represents clients before the Mental Health Review Tribunal as well as acting as a Separate Representative. He also appears as Solicitor Advocate in domestic violence proceedings in the Magistrates Court.
RedHill Legal Director Sue Westall said the firm was “extremely fortunate to work with Shane”.
“Our firm is so privileged to have him,’’ Sue said.
“Shane demonstrates the highest of ethical and professional standards and he delivers the ultimate qualities of legal representation with empathy and skill.
‘’He has an unwavering ethical and moral compass and deals with clients in an extremely compassionate yet professional manner.
“He is a credit to himself, our firm and our profession. And more importantly, we can call him our friend.’’
The Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award went to Erin McDonald from Groom & Lavers Solicitors, who was a little short for words after being announced as winner.
In a social media post, Erin said: “So I won a thing! Emerging Lawyer of the Year!
“But seriously, to be recognised by my teachers, colleagues and friends is just an incredible honour.
“And a huge thank you to the DSWQLA for an incredible night!”
Erin has worked at the Darling Downs firm since 2021. She studied a Bachelor of Business and Laws at the University of Southern Queensland. She also worked as a peer tutor and served as the Education and Careers Officer and President of the USQ Law Society.
Erin works predominantly in property, commercial and construction law.
In her spare time, she helps with her local youth group.
His Honour Judge Horneman-Wren SC also attended the function as keynote speaker.
Toowoomba practitioners who qualified for their 25-year Queensland Law Society membership pins, but were unable to attend the function, were Davidson & Sullivan Partner David Meara, Legal Practitioner Director Murray Crawford and sole practitioners Stanley Loader and Kathryn MacKenzie.
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