There was never a question about who was going to move Joanna Minchinton’s admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland in Brisbane on Monday.
The self-confessed IR nerd chose her brother James, General Counsel at Gilmour Space Technologies and possible “space nerd”, to attend the sitting, where she was also supported by colleagues from IRiQ Law.
“Several solicitors and barristers offered, but it was always going to be my brother,” Joanna, who is Head of Legal and Consulting, said.
“Family is important to me, and having James there was incredibly special, and something I will never forget.
Joanna Minchinton with IRiQ Law colleagues.
“I am not your traditional young lawyer straight from high school and university. My brother decided on law when he was 12, and for me it took a lot longer. Law was always in the back of my mind though.”
James, who presented on space law at the QLS Inhouse Lawyers Breakfast in October, said: ” I was so proud of Joanna for achieving this personal and professional milestone of joining the ranks of legal practitioners.
“It was a joy, as her brother, to move her admission, and to be part of another special moment in her life.”
Joanna started her studies in 2020.
Joanna said her career had been in the field of industrial relations “primarily supporting businesses to be great employers”.
“I am recognised for my contribution to industrial relations,” she said. “In 2019 I was awarded life member status of the Industrial Relations Society of Queensland and in 2021, life member status with the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association. (I am the only female life member of ALERA, as well as the only Queenslander).
“Having worked for several employer organisations as an advocate including appearing innumerable times in the Fair Work Commission, I finally took the plunge and commenced my law degree in 2020. At the time I saw it as complementary, and that becoming a lawyer would add additional value to my industrial relations credentials and career.
“While completing my PLT, and in an unexpected career twist, I moved away from the employer association environment, and I commenced with Rebecca Pezzutti at IRiQ Law, a boutique employment law firm, in August 2024. It was only then that I saw myself becoming a solicitor. That was my ‘A-HA’ moment.”
Rebecca, Legal Practice Director at IRiQ Law, said Joanna had fast become a respected leader and mentor in Team IRiQ.
“The whole team was thrilled to be there to show our support and welcome her to the profession on her admission day,” Rebecca said.
“I am personally honoured to be able to support her development as a lawyer and the commencement of her legal career.”
Rebecca Pezzutti supported Joanna.
And the official start of Joanna’s legal career was at the admission sitting on 17 March, along with more than 100 other new lawyers.
“I was nervous! I’d had the benefit of watching two of my IRiQ Law work colleagues, Caley and Zehua, being admitted in February, meaning the process was familiar. Despite this, the nervous butterflies were still there,” she admitted.
“I also remember what the Honourable Justice Mullins said at the end of the ceremony and the importance of giving back. I hope to be able to do this and intend to volunteer with a community legal centre in the near future.
“I intend to savour the honour of being a lawyer and solicitor. I’d like to continue working in the industrial relations field, as employment law is a passion. Having said that, I hope to build on my experience, and also get some exposure and experience in the area of governance.”
Colleague Caley Springall said: “She’s the most senior, junior lawyer I’ve met. Jo’s admission was highly anticipated, a bit emotional, and long overdue. I felt ecstatic because she did.”
Brisbane admissions on 17 March: Bham; Chen; Chmaysse; Spencer; Zhong; Woodward; Hensen; George; Kumarasinghe; Cave; Levendakis; Breedon; Gwaunza; Hua; Harris; Brown; Scarcella; Mulquin; Wood; Wright; Ransom; Scott; Walker; Samaranayake.
Moriarty; Soteriou; Anderson; Senior; Churchill; Downey; Snow; Watt; Gordon; Qu; Gallett; Coorey; Ryan; Boonphut; Mooney; Hale; Kendall; M Smith; Amdur-Webb; McLennan; Bayliss; Goktas; Kantarivic; Woo.
Sokcic; Kang; Doan; Waters; Logan; Shortt; Edwards; Mackie; Sideris; Foley; Soodjaithum; Clark; Fenner; Ball; Miller; Stone; Brough; Grieve; Minchinton; Treacy; Boo; Donadelli; Chang; Cowen.
Pyke; Miglioranza; Mauro; Telford; Loft; E Smith; Flynn; Wilton; Scott; Jongkuch; Green; Hayes; Meagher; Wrigglesworth; Lyons; Nagra; Bloore; Brockhurst; Moiseeva; Fraser; Nestor; Miu; Balalle; Whittering.
O’Brien; Blake; Thind; Hunter; Davenport; Corte-Real; Jobling; Mallion; Campbell; Lambert; Hoyes; Singh; Holden; Nguyen.
Proctor looks to celebrate all newly admitted lawyers 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.
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