As current Queensland Young Lawyers Treasurer and former Australian Law Students’ Association President Rebecca Ferguson has worn many professional hats during her burgeoning career, and late last month she donned a new one – graduate lawyer.
The Mullins family law graduate joined more than 60 other new lawyers to be admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland at sittings in Brisbane’s Banco Court on 25 May before Justice Mullins, Justice Brown and Justice Cooper.
“One of the things I remember most from the admission ceremony was Justice Mullins speaking about the importance of engaging with professional organisations such as the Queensland Law Society, and the value of contributing to continuing legal education throughout your career,” Rebecca, who has also been on the Law Council of Australia’s Young Lawyers Committee, said.
“Those comments particularly resonated with me because organisations such as Queensland Young Lawyers (QYL) and the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) have played a significant role in my journey to becoming a lawyer.
“Through those organisations I have developed lasting friendships, professional connections, and leadership skills. They have reinforced the importance of giving back to the profession, and I hope to continue contributing to the legal community throughout my career.”
Rebecca’s journey to the law was a very clear one as she was drawn to the profession early on.
“From a very young age, I was drawn to a career in law. As I grew older and gained a greater understanding of the legal profession, that interest developed into a genuine passion,” she said.
“I have always had a strong sense of fairness and a desire to help people, and law seemed like a meaningful way to put those values into practice.
“What appeals to me most about the profession and in family law specifically is the opportunity to support people through difficult situations, help them understand their options, and work towards fair outcomes. The combination of advocacy, problem-solving, and helping others navigate complex challenges is what ultimately confirmed that a career in law was the right path for me.”
Rebecca’s connection with QYL also made her choice of mover, QLS Councillor and commercial litigator Chloe Parsons-Pope, an obvious one.
“I first met Chloe approximately three years ago through Queensland Young Lawyers, and since then she has been an incredible mentor and source of guidance,” she said.
“Throughout my transition from law student to legal practitioner, Chloe has generously shared her time, experience, and advice. She has always encouraged me to pursue opportunities, become involved in the profession, and back myself.
“Having her move my admission was incredibly meaningful, as she has played such an important role in my professional development and journey to admission.”
Chloe said the admission was a “joyous moment for all who attended from her family, friends and colleagues from Mullins”.
“The admission ceremony was a culmination of Rebecca’s hard work over the last five years. It was particularly special to see Rebecca revel in a full day of celebration surrounded by the people that she loves,” Chloe said.
“As the Court of Appeal President, her Honourable Justice Debra Mullins AO, mentioned admission is an important day for applicants, but it is what practitioners do with their time moving forward in their career that makes the most impact.
“Whilst it is important to work hard (professionally), we are a giving profession at the end of the day, and practitioners should be giving back by way of volunteering or working pro bono.”
Rebecca and Chloe met at the QYL International Women’s Day event in 2023.
“Since then, I have watched Rebecca become ALSA president, join the QYL Committee, been elevated to Treasurer, graduate university with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Government and International Relations from Griffith University and been promoted to a law graduate at Mullins, working closely with Pierce Carstensen in the family law team,” Chloe said.
“It has been excellent to watch her grow over the past years and I can not wait to see what the future holds for her career.
“It was my first time moving an admission. As a theatre kid, I most certainly committed the mover’s speech to memory before the big day. I am hopeful that it won’t be the last admission.”
Rebecca is enjoying her role at Mullins Lawyers and making the most of the opportunities to develop her skills in family law.
“I have always tried not to set overly rigid goals for myself, as I want to remain open to opportunities and experiences that I may not have anticipated,” she said.
“My focus is on continuing to learn, grow, and become the best practitioner I can be. Family law clients are often experiencing some of the most difficult periods of their lives, and I hope to continue developing the knowledge, judgment, and practical skills necessary to guide and support them through those challenges.
“Beyond that, I look forward to remaining actively involved in the legal profession and continuing to contribute to the legal community that has given me so much throughout my journey.”
Admitted on 25 May in Brisbane were: Vaz; Kulakova; Nash; Rayle; Knox; Moore; Pranklin; Bagley-Wilson; Anderson; Perez; Adamson; Loxley; Wiig; Fleming; Sargent; Talbot; Willis; Brazel; Ham; Goetz; Doherty.
Drysdale; Chambers; Douglas; Donovan; Scott; Muia; Follari; Ferguson; Saccardo; Day; Wilson; Bishop; Cosenett; Phung; Di Trapani; Kim; Finch; Mitchll; Vinsek; Hamad; Barrios.
Saponja; Carey-Foster; Murray-Daff; Wihongi; McClelland; Gibson; Knaggs; Van Der Merwe; Garvin; Harvatt; Ison; Kenny; Papadopoulos; Villarin; MacFarlane; Nguyen; Giorgas; Freear; McGown; Attridge; Willmott.
Proctor celebrates all newly admitted lawyers and congratulates them on this significant achievement. Please email details to proctor@qls.com.au. Ensure you include some details of your current role, your admission mover, along with images from your admission sitting.
Share this article