Newly elected 2026 Queensland Law Society President Peter Jolly plans to lead by example and give back to the profession he holds dearly.
Results in the 2025 QLS Council election have been finalised with Peter, a serving QLS Vice President and Partner in Thynne + Macartney’s Business Advisory and Dispute Resolution Group, being named President-elect for the coming year.
Peter was elected as a Councillor in 2021; chairs the QLS Specialist Accreditation Board; and is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law.
Peter said he was honoured to be elected to the Society’s presidency.
“I feel privileged to lead council and the profession. I appreciate the support and trust members have placed in me and the council members they have elected,” he said.
“I have been in practice for a long time and reached a point in my career where I began to consider what I can give back.”
He said he was lucky to be elected four years ago and had “served under some really wonderful Presidents”.
“They have been inspiring in the way they have led council, and it is something I would really like to do before my time comes to an end … giving back something to the profession that has given so much to me.”
Peter said Genevieve Dee had been an outstanding President and he would “like to build on what’s she has done”, especially around collegiality.
He would also like members to consider that they are all leaders.
“I want to encourage them to think deeply about their role as practitioners every day as well as in the community,” Peter said.
“I would like members to consider how every practitioner can be a leader, not only shaping clients’ lives, helping other practitioners and members of the community.”
Peter said the new QLS Council had “a wonderful mix of experience and enthusiasm”.
“There is great representation from the regions,” he said. “I am looking forward to the contributions all the committee members are going to make.”
Toowoomba-based lawyer Sarah-Jane MacDonald was voted Deputy President-elect and current councillor Craig Chapman as Vice President-elect.
Sarah-Jane is currently the Legal Practitioner Director of MacDonald Law. Craig is Partner/Head of Office at Dentons.
QLS Corporate Secretary Louise Pennisi said members were spoilt for choice for candidates in the election and it was pleasing to see members engaging in the process.
“Our voluntary voter participation rate of 12.56 per cent was consistent with previous elections over the last six years.”
Genevieve offered her “sincere congratulations” to all the elected candidates and in particular the new executive “who will lead the profession in 2026/2027”.
“The Society is fortunate to have so many experienced practitioners nominate for council this year; I congratulate each of the candidates on their campaigns and thank them for their willingness to advocate for our members,” she said.
“The Society is in capable hands with Peter Jolly as the next President. I have had the pleasure of working with Peter on council for four years and can attest to his lifelong love of our profession and his collaborative approach to decision making.
“He is always thinking about what is in our members’ bests interests and the challenges we collectively face. Peter, together with Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Craig Chapman, will bring strong leadership for the profession.”
The QLS Council for 2026 will be:
President: Peter Jolly
Deputy President: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Vice President: Craig Chapman
Councillors:
Rebecca Anderson
Jim Conomos
Sarah Grace
Ashleigh Harrison
Chloe Parsons-Pope
Mark Rowbotham
Phil Ware
Jon Wiedman.
Queensland Law Society is governed by an elected council of 12 members, with an additional council member appointed by the Attorney-General. Councillors are elected for a two-year term. Each president is elected for a term of one year, after which they become the Immediate Past President, with the Deputy President succeeding to the office of President at the beginning of the second term. The Vice President is elected for a two-year period, assuming the duties of the Deputy President in the second year of their elected term.
One Response
Congratulations all, especially Peter, Sarah-Jane, Craig and new Councillors.
Looking forward to working together for members, the profession and the community over the next 2 years.