Regional lawyers shine at WLAQ awards

Regional lawyers shone at this year’s Women Lawyers Association of Queensland annual awards and dinner recently held in Brisbane.

Toowoomba personal injuries lawyer Leanne McDonald received the Regional Woman Lawyer of the Year Award.

Special Counsel at Kennedy Spanner Lawyers, Leanne is past chair of the Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland and the Australian Lawyers Alliance National Abuse Law Special Interest Group 

Leanne said she was “incredibly honoured’ to receive the award.

“This recognition means so much and reflects the support of so many amazing people around me. Huge thanks to the WLAQ, my brilliant colleagues, mentors and clients,” Leanne said.

Bundaberg criminal lawyer Alexandra Sanders, who works in the Legal Aid Queensland office, was named Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year.

“I am so honoured to be the winner of the WLAQ Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year award for 2025. Thank you to Griffith Law School for sponsoring this award, WLAQ for coordinating the event, and to all of my sage mentors who made this possible,” Alexandra said in a social media post.

Her Legal Aid colleagues were equally excited, posting: “Alexandra joined Legal Aid Queensland in 2024 as part of our graduate lawyer program and has since become an integral part of our Bundaberg team as a criminal lawyer.

“Her dedication to helping disadvantaged clients in the Wide Bay area shines through in everything she does, ensuring access to justice for those who need it most.

“Alexandra’s achievement is a testament to her passion, skill and commitment to making a difference in her community.”

Ipswich firm Walker Pender Lawyers, one of the oldest firms in Queensland, received Legal Aid Queensland’s Equitable Briefing Award.

The award recognises the LAQ partner law firm that meets the Law Council of Australia’s 30 per cent target for briefing women barristers and also demonstrates exceptional commitment to gender equity in briefing practices.

Walker Pender has been a partner law firm since 1995, with LAQ saying it was “dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the legal profession”.

“Congratulations on this fantastic achievement and to all the firms driving change in the legal profession,” LAQ posted.

Also hailing from Ipswich, Her Honour Judge Leanne Clare SC received the Leneen Forde AC Woman Lawyer of the Year Award.

Her Honour recently retired from the bench and leaves a legacy as the first woman in Australia to be appointed Director of Public Prosecutions.

WLAQ was also proud to present the Trailblazer Award to Michelle James, Maurice Blackburn Director and former President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

This award is conferred at the discretion of the judging panel and was last awarded in 2022.

Michelle told Proctor that the WLAQ continued “to do an outstanding job championing women in the legal profession, and these awards are a highlight of the year”.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition, and I do so with immense gratitude for the incredible women mentors who have guided and inspired me throughout my career,” she said.

“I also want to acknowledge the brilliant women lawyers and leaders I work alongside at Maurice Blackburn – they make me look good every day, and this award is as much theirs as it is mine.

“Her Honour Judge Clare’s impromptu speech at the awards dinner, especially her reflections on imposter syndrome, struck a powerful chord.

“As women, we often underestimate ourselves and question our achievements. Hearing that even a District Court Judge has faced those doubts was both validating and sobering. I hope every woman in law knows her worth, owns her success, and feels proud of the impact she makes.”

WLAQ posted that: “Michelle’s remarkable contributions to the legal profession and her unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity made her a standout recipient. It was an honour to celebrate her achievements alongside our legal community.”

Marking another first, WLAQ presented the Woman of Excellence Award to the Honourable Margaret White AO.

On 2 April 1992, Her Honour was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. She was the first woman to be appointed to the court. 

In 2013 Her Honour was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia “for distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law particularly in Queensland, as a leading contributor to legal education and reform, and to professional development and training”. She retired in June 2013.

The award recognises a woman who has made an enduring and exceptional contribution to the legal profession and to the advancement of women in law.

“Justice White’s leadership, integrity and decades of service were said to continue to inspire generations of legal professionals. We were proud to celebrate her remarkable achievements with our community, and honored to hear her inspiring speech, which earned a well-deserved standing ovation,” WLAQ posted.

WLAQ has also announced that applications for the 2025 Beryl Donkin Memorial Scholarship Fund are open and will close at 5pm on 20 November 2025.

This scholarship supports the professional development of women in law in Queensland, offering funding towards educational or professional development expenses through an approved course.