Networking not high priority for early career lawyers, according to QLS survey

Networking and face-to-face education are becoming less of a priority for early career lawyers, according to the recent Queensland Law Society Future Leaders Committee survey.

The survey, launched in the final quarter of 2025, sought input on the role of QLS and the Future Leaders Committee for new lawyers, the perceived value of Society membership and, what services and benefits are valued most.

Almost 250 early career lawyers from Brisbane to Cairns, Mt Isa to Toowoomba and across a broad mix of practice areas responded to questions about AI, wellbeing and regional practice.

FLC President Mathai Joshi said the survey results showed fantastic engagement from an extremely diverse background of early career and junior lawyers.

“What it shows is that there are areas where the profession can grow and certainly points where modernisation of practice is important,” Mathai said.

“It is great to see that we have strong engagement from regional and rural areas, this shows that the profession is diverse in nature and that we need to ensure that any changes we make to the profession are inclusive and supportive to regional and rural members.”

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In terms of learning preferences, Mathai said he was really intrigued by the results, particularly in the decline in the perceived value of networking with the preferred method of obtaining CPD tied with online or hybrid at 41 per cent each.

“Personally I believe networking is an underrated skill which is not often prioritised however I can see the results show how the profession is changing,” he shared.

“These results show that there is a greater demand for access to online content to ensure more flexibility.

“Whilst I do agree this is important, I think it is important to ensure networking events remain so that we don’t lose the collegiate aspect of the work we do. These results show more than anything a change in lifestyle is more important in the work-life balance for ECLs.”

That collegiate aspect of the profession could be bolstered by mentoring and career support, an area the survey also focused on. The data showed 79 per cent of respondents were interested in a mentor program.

“This is personally a really important area for me … more mentoring and career support is something which I think is important and puts us in a unique position in the profession,” Mathai said.

“We, in the FLC, are discussing the practical steps of how we can engage with the QLS to create the mentoring space which ELCs are seeking.

“This is a good opportunity for us as a profession to come together, become more collegiate, and certainly assist our junior members of the profession. The FLC is looking into how we can practically and meaningfully engage with this.

“I have long thought that there should be a greater value in our membership and what we can get out of it in a practical sense. I do agree that there is a fantastic opportunity for the QLS to partner with more organisations to create benefits for our members that also encourage holistic and support to ELC lawyers.

“An idea we are certainly engaging with is discussing how we can implement access to a fitness passport – something like this in my view not only is beneficial from a practical sense but it also helps support mental health and positive lifestyle for ECLs.”

Mathai said the rapid growth of AI over the past number of years had a positive effect on the profession.

“Time is an invaluable currency for the modern lawyer, and anyone can tell you that if there is something that can capitalise on that commodity to ensure its best used; they will rush to it,” he said.

“When it comes to AI in practice I think there are certainly an abundance of useful resources and technology, particular in the legal space. However, as the survey results show, there needs to be a greater focus on the ethical use of AI and certainly more education to assist our ELC lawyers.

“The QLS has a number of fantastic initiatives surrounding AI in practice, I am always eager to see Shane Budden’s presentations on AI in practice because there is always useful knowledge to be shared.

“I think what the results definitely show is that a more solidified framework and CPD education needs to be set for ethical AI use. Similarly so, I think the practice needs to confront this issue and not be afraid of useful AI software which maximises efficiency in practice.

“There is a great opportunity for growth and modernisation in this space.”

The survey showed that 46 per cent did not currently use AI at work with 82 per cent wanting CPD sessions specifically focused on AI tools and their ethical obligations.

The profession also continues to grow with the survey reflecting the larger number of females becoming lawyers.

“I often would hear Justice North’s remarks at Townsville solicitor admissions ceremonies, and he often cited the change in times with the growth of more female lawyers in the profession,” Mathai said.

“This in turn is positive for our profession because it means the next generation of judges, magistrates, and decision makers in our profession are going to come out from this cohort. It shows that over time the profession has balanced out and is becoming a more equitable, balanced and diverse profession.

“It is also encouraging to see that we have more lawyers coming into the profession, whilst the demand for work will always be in Brisbane and South-East Queensland centres, it goes to show that we need to do more to encourage ECLs of the opportunities outside of Brisbane.”

Thirty-three per cent of respondents said additional pay would incentivise them to work in a regional area along with more work-life balance (16 per cent) and opportunities for career advancement (15 per cent).