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Four finalists for advocacy award

Four finalists have been named for this year’s Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate Award.

The award recognises outstanding activities in the prevention of domestic violence in the state and will be presented at the Legal Profession Breakfast at Brisbane City Hall on 21 November.

Presented by Women’s Legal Service Queensland and administered by the Queensland Law Society, this award reflects the commitment and professionalism of the recipient.

The 2024 finalists are Leah King (Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service – QIFVLS), Katherine Manby (VM Family Law), Thelma Schwartz (QIFLVS) and Rachel Tierney (Gilshenan & Luton).


Leah King

Leah is the Deputy Principal Legal Officer at QIFLVS having started there in 2019. Her primary area of practice includes domestic violence, family law, child protection, victims of violent crime and Cultural
Recognition Orders under the Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice.

Her work extends both inside and outside the courtroom. Leah provides education sessions to community and stakeholders, as well as mentoring to graduate and junior solicitors. Outside of QIFVLS, she is a long-term volunteer Treasurer of Sunshine Coast Law Association and volunteer lawyer with Suncoast Community Legal Service.


Katherine Manby

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Kath is the Principal of VM Family Law, a firm in the Greater Springfield region specialising in family law and DV advocacy. With a long-standing commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence, she has previously been a finalist in the award, underscoring her dedication to creating systemic change. She serves as an ICL, advocating for the rights and safety of children in family law disputes.

Kath also sits on the Queensland Law Society Domestic Violence Committee and has developed specialised DV training programs for legal professionals. A passionate community advocate, she has raised more than $110,000 for the Ipswich Financial Abuse Unit through initiatives like the Dancing CEO event. Kath’s work is driven by a desire to improve access to justice for vulnerable individuals.


Thelma Schwartz

Thelma is the Principal Legal Officer of QIFVLS. She is a solicitor with more than 25 years of practice experience, identifying as of Torres Strait Islander heritage alongside her German, Samoan and Papua New Guinean heritage.

She has worked extensively with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in regional/ remote Queensland and is a strong advocate for domestic and family violence victim survivors and achieving social justice change. Thelma also contributes to system reform on various councils and panels.



Rachel Tierney

Rachel is a Senior Associate at Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice. She has considerable experience in domestic violence matters, in both DV applications and assisting with criminal charges arising from domestic violence-related matters.

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Rachel also has extensive complex trial experience and represents clients in all aspects of criminal law with particular expertise in sexual offences, including historical, institutional sexual abuse matters and misconduct related charges brought against members of the public service. She represents clients in child protection matters, disciplinary matters and coronial inquests. In 2022, she gained Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law through the QLS. She is a member of the QLS Domestic Violence Committee.

Registrations for the event close on Monday, 11 November. All proceeds from the milestone event will help WLSQ provide free legal and support services to Queensland women and children impacted by domestic and family violence. 

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