One of Australia’s leading property law academics has received the Queensland Law Society’s highest honour – the President’s Medal.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Professor Sharon Christensen was recognised at the Society’s annual President’s Dinner at QAGOMA in Brisbane on Friday night.
The medal honours solicitors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication, and service to the community.
Over three decades, Professor Christensen has established an international reputation and expertise in transactional property law, specialising in the impacts of technology.
She was nominated for her significant contributions to the review and reform of Queensland’s property laws.
This included her co-leadership of a team engaged to undertake a broad review of Queensland’s property laws from 2013 to 2017. The team’s recommendations led to the Property Law Bill 2023.
Professor Christensen is currently Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at QUT, and has been a specialist consultant with Gadens Lawyers for 20 years. She has also been a member of the QLS Property Committee since 1997.
She has authored and co-authored more than 200 publications in journals and edited works, and is the co-author of seminal works Land Contracts in Queensland and Commercial Leases in Australia.
Sharon Christensen and husband Stephen Lumb.
Sharon said she was deeply honoured and humbled to receive the award.
“To me this award is recognition not only of the value of my personal commitment to maintaining high standards of legal education in law school and the profession but also recognition of the collective commitment of my colleagues, mentors and members of the legal profession who have shared and supported these endeavours over the last 30 years, particularly in the area of property law reform,” she said.
“Throughout my 30 years in law and legal education, I have embraced the complexities of legal and technological change advocating for agile policy reform and innovative curriculum that responds to changes in technology.
“Whether transitioning legal education into the digital era or advocating for property law reform, I have always believed that building synergies between my work as an educator and lawyer was important to nurturing new lawyers to have the best start in their careers and assisting the profession to adapt to and anticipate the challenges of technology.
“It has been my privilege to have had a central role in shaping significant legal reforms in property law and delivering innovative educational initiatives that prepare future lawyers to face these challenges head-on.”
Sharon said property law and technology had been her passion since she was a junior lawyer.
“I have been fortunate to be able to teach and research in an area of law that sits at the intersection of our everyday lives and the broader legal, economic, and technological changes shaping our future.”
In her dinner opening address, QLS President Genevieve Dee said a collegiality in the profession promoted the sharing of knowledge and mentoring of junior lawyers.
“This invaluable transfer of knowledge ensures the profession continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges. New technology and ways of working add a new dimension to this imperative,” Genevieve said.
Honorary QLS memberships were presented on the night. Keep an eye on Proctor for more articles and photos.
Share this article