New solicitor decides to ‘give it a go’

Newly admitted Mackay solicitor Nick Coughlan’s interest in the law was piqued as a government caseworker.

Now employed at Taylors Solicitors, he was one of three lawyers admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in Rockhampton on Friday in front of Justice Crowe.

“I commenced working in the public service as a caseworker for the Youth Justice Department, working with young people involved in the criminal justice system,” he said.

“In this position I got to attend court on a weekly basis and it was here I met all of the colourful characters that you find in a rural courthouse, from the solicitors, to court registry staff, the clients and the judicial officers, it always seemed very exciting.

“At this time I was also living next door to a very experienced solicitor named John Taylor, he was extremely encouraging of me studying externally despite being a little bit older.

“John founded Taylors Solicitors in 1981 in Mackay and is a very well known and respected practitioner. I thought to myself, ‘if someone like that believes I can do it, then maybe I should give it a go’.”

So Nick enrolled in Bachelor of Laws at the Central Queensland University in 2020 and completed his diploma at the College of Law, before being admitted.

“I remember first and foremost being extremely nervous,” he said of the admission ceremony.


Nick was supported by family at the admission.

“The process of commencing the degree to finally getting to admission is such a massive endeavour, when you do get to the end you don’t know how to feel or if a last-minute objection might come through the door. When I was finally told that I had ticked all the boxes and was admitted, that feeling of relief was pretty special.

“I was lucky enough to have a recent work colleague and one of my best mates Sean Gibbs to move my admission.

“Sean and I have known each other for a long time and while I was studying, Sean was able to get me a law clerk’s position working with him at Fisher Dore Lawyers in Mackay. Fisher Dore is a very well known and successful criminal law firm based in Brisbane but with offices in Mackay and Cairns.

“Despite all of my experience and training being in criminal law, I have commenced my career as a solicitor at Taylors Solicitors in Mackay doing personal injury law under Craig Worsley and John Taylor.

“It will be a steep learning curve but I am excited to give it a go. I’m sure they will be open to me giving the odd criminal matter a go here and there as well.”

Also admitted before Justice Crow on 29 November were: Miranda Mooney and Portia Deicke.

Admissions in Townsville on 11 October before Justice North were Jemma Vollmerhouse, Alice Lane and Lily-May Hawken.

Our Admissions section looks to celebrate all newly admitted solicitors and congratulate them on this significant achievement. Please email details to proctor@qls.com.au. Ensure you include some details of your current role, along with a quality head-and-shoulders image or images from your admission sitting.