Queensland Law Society celebrated the contributions of 21 new honorary members at the President’s Dinner in Brisbane on Friday.
Ten of those members were at the event at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, where Society CEO Matt Dunn acknowledged their service and presented them with certificates.
The memberships, which begin on July 1, are offered each year to individuals who either have been QLS members for more than 50 years or who are nominated for having made a significant contribution to the legal profession in Queensland.
Matt said this year’s honorary members were inspirational.
“Your contributions have been instrumental in building the strength of the profession and your communities over decades, and tonight we honour your dedication and we thank those, especially your families, some of whom are here with you tonight, who have supported your lengthy careers of service and excellence,” he said.
Those who attended were David Baker, Rodney Barnes, Carmel Davies, Peter Macgregor, David O’Brien, David Purvis, John Ryan, Drew Squires, Matthew Woods and Lisa O’Neill.
David Baker, Baker O’Brien & Toll
David began his legal career with Clewett Lawyers in Toowoomba where he completed his Articles of Clerkship and was admitted as a solicitor in July 1974.
In 1976, David relocated to Bundaberg and co-founded Drummond & Baker, which later became Baker & O’Brien and is now known as Baker O’Brien Toll Lawyers.
Rodney Barnes, Mackey Wales Law
Rod was admitted as a lawyer in 1975 and into partnership at one of the largest and longest established North Queensland law firms in 1976. Rod’s term as a partner included time as managing partner.
In 2008, Rod was invited to be the first-in house solicitor at James Cook University (JCU). In 2011, Rod moved to be Director of Commercial Services and he remained at JCU until 2018, before returning to private practice with Mackey Wales Law as Special Counsel.
Rod is a past president of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce and he also served as a board member of Townsville Enterprise for 10 years.
Carmel Davies, Swanston & Associates
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Carmel continues to enjoy her work in all areas of civil law, particularly succession, compensation and commercial law. She is engaged as a locum and consultant.
She is a trailblazer in her own right as the 60th woman to be admitted as a solicitor in Queensland.
Peter Macgregor, Development Directive
Peter has more than 50 years’ experience in property development. He has worked as a solicitor, development consultant, lecturer and developer in his own right.
In more recent years, Peter has specialised in the management of large-scale approvals. Most notably Peter has led the development teams of Casuarina Beach, NSW, and Metroplex at Westgate, Wacol.
Peter also acts for private land owners in negotiating compensation settlements for land resumption.
David O’Brien, Baker O’Brien & Toll
David was admitted as a solicitor in July 1974 and began his legal career with the Department of Justice.
In 1977, he joined Baker & O’Brien, now Baker O’Brien & Toll, where he has served for over 40 years and remains active as a consultant.
Throughout his career, David has served his community and the profession including as a founding committee member of the Legal Aid Queensland Bundaberg office.
He is a past President of the Bundaberg Law Association; and David was a QLS Council member from 2000 to 2005.
David Purvis, Woods Prince Lawyers
David is a Consultant at Woods Prince Lawyers, where his main areas of interest are commercial and property law.
He is qualified in both law and accounting, and is on the board of management for Sharing with Friends, a charitable organisation supporting older women facing homelessness.
John Ryan, Whitsunday Law
John was admitted in 1974 and has served the community of the Whitsundays for his entire career. He merged his firm John Ryan and Co. with Whitsunday Law in 2008 and remains a consultant with the firm.
John describes himself as a general practitioner but also has an interest in maritime and aviation Law.
As the region’s most experienced practising solicitor, he also maintains strong ties to the Whitsunday community, where he has had an active involvement with Rotary including two terms as President.
Drew Squires, Piper Alderman
Drew was admitted in 1975 and has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial property dealings.
He has acted for major developers and investors in respect to acquisitions, development, sale and leasing of major property projects throughout the state.
This work has involved dealing with all relevant title, due diligence, contractual leasing and joint venture issues for a wide variety of properties in the commercial, retail and industrial fields.
Matthew Woods, Woods Prince Lawyers
Matthew is a founding director of Woods Prince Lawyers. He is a predominately a commercial litigator and also is experienced in criminal, workplace and property law.
Matthew currently sits on the management committee of the Prisoners’ Legal Service.
Magistrate Lisa O’Neill
Before appointment, Magistrate O’Neill was a Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia with extensive experience in family law, domestic violence and child protection litigation and policy development.
She conceptualised and developed the Lighthouse Project, an integrated response to family violence and related risks to litigants and children which began in the FCC in Adelaide, Brisbane and Parramatta in January 2021. The Lighthouse Project has now been funded in 15 additional registries around Australia.
Also recognised with honorary memberships were David Cominos, Robert Downey, Peter Elliott, Malcolm McColm, Bruce Medley, Peter Murrell, David Nicholls, Peter Ponti, Magistrate Dominic Brunello, Magistrate Anna Smith and Magistrate Kellie Walker.
Keep an eye on Proctor for more from the President’s Dinner.
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