Wiping away tears, Pippa Colman was “just having a moment” as she accepted the prestigious Queensland Law Society’s Agnes McWhinney Award at the 2025 Excellence in Law Awards in Brisbane on Saturday night.
The award, one of 12 presented at City Hall, recognises female lawyers who have forged new pathways and demonstrated a commitment to equity, professionalism and service to the community.
Named after Queensland’s first female solicitor, the Accredited Family Law Specialist said Agnes McWhinney was her “hero”.
Pippa Colman with Commissioner Mahon and QLS
President Genevieve Dee.
“She was number one in Queensland and when I was admitted in 1979 I was number 121, so there was 120 women lawyers between her and me,” Pippa said.
“And back when I was admitted in the 1970s, women were a rarity. I was generally mistaken for a receptionist or a secretary, and there were times when it was very lonely.
“On the Sunshine Coast there were many times when I was the only woman lawyer between Caboolture and Gympie that has changed. There’s about 200 of us now so I’m not lonely anymore.”
Pippa said she was privileged to have known “many, many wonderful women lawyers”.
“I am very proud to say I am in practice with two of them, Sarah Quilliam and Samantha Bolton, two of the best, wisest solicitors you could ever find.”
The award, marking its 20th year, was presented by Legal Services Commissioner Megan Mahon who said Agnes McWhinney, who was admitted in 1915, “broke down significant barriers” for women and “paved the way” for the future.
She said gender progress in the profession had been “painfully, even embarrassingly slow” but that the majority of law graduates and newly admitted lawyers in Queensland were now women.
Commissioner Mahon also noted the number of women now in leadership roles in the Queensland legal profession, including the Attorney-General, Queensland Law Society President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Her Honour Chief Justice Helen Bowskill, who raised the Toast to the Profession, said she often reminded newly admitted lawyers about their oath and the obligation not to practise in their own self-interest but to the higher duty of serving the community.
Pippa started her legal career at 17. Having lived and worked for most of her life on the Sunshine Coast, she started her firm Pippa Colman & Associates in March 2001. Pippa is also a qualified mediator and arbitrator.
The winners of the Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards 2025 are:
Access to Justice Award (award partner Bond University Faculty of Law)
- Amber Buckland, Legal Aid Queensland, and Nadia Bromley, Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
Agnes McWhinney Award
- Pippa Colman, Pippa Colman Family Law
Emerging Leader Award (award partner Legal Home Loans)
- Claire McGee, Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice
First Nations Student Award
- Rikisha Phineasa, James Cook University
Graduate Lawyer of the Year (award partner College of Law)
- Shelly Brown, Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers.
In-House Counsel of the Year
- Joshua Caeiro, Rio Tinto
Pro Bono Team of the Year (award partner legalsuper)
- McCullough Robertson Lawyers.
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Sole Practitioner
- Robert Grant, Grant & Associate Family Lawyers
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Small Firm 2-19 PCS (award partner Westpac)
- Belinda Kochanowska, Intrepidus Law
Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Large Firm 20+ PCS (award partner First Title)
- Anthony Conaghan, Thomson Geer
Regional Practitioner of the Year Award (award partner PEXA)
- Diane Ruhl, Ruhl Family Law
Pride in Law Award
- Denise Maxwell, Hensen Maxwell Solicitors.
The Event Partner was Bumbu.
Keep an eye on Proctor this week for more award articles.
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