Named in honour of Queensland’s first female solicitor, the Agnes McWhinney Award recognises outstanding female lawyers who are not only leaders in their fields, but who are forging new pathways for themselves and their peers.
Now in its 21st year, the Queensland Law Society award continues to uphold women’s contribution to the state’s legal profession. This year’s Agnes McWhinney Award will be presented at the annual QLS Excellence in Law Awards Gala next month.
Speaking at this year’s International Women’s Day Breakfast, QLS President Peter Jolly said: “It is extraordinary to think that just over a century ago, in 1915, Agnes McWhinney became the first woman admitted as a solicitor in this state. Her achievement opened a door that so many have since walked through.”
In 1910, Agnes McWhinney started her articles of clerkship with Townsville firm Hobbs Wilson and Ryan at just 18. Her brother Joseph was working at the same firm and convinced Agnes to join him rather than pursue medicine in Sydney.
Five years later, on 7 December 1915, Agnes was admitted to the legal profession and became Queensland’s first female solicitor – despite the then Northern Supreme Court Judge, Justice Pope Cooper, being vehemently against women entering the profession.
Agnes was initially paid the same salary as the office boy despite doing the same work as the firm’s male solicitors. She persistently argued against this discrimination until she was finally paid three pounds 10 shillings a week.
At her admission, Agnes stated she intended to practise as a solicitor for three years before sitting for examination as a barrister. She ultimately practised until 1919. After her marriage in early 1920 she never resumed paid employment, opting instead to use her skills in community service.
Six years later, Agnes was in attendance to congratulate Katharine McGregor on becoming the first woman to be admitted as a barrister in Queensland.
One hundred and 10 years after Agnes’ admission to the profession, the Agnes McWhinney Award was presented to Accredited Family Law Specialist Pippa Colman, who deemed Agnes “hero”.
“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,” Ms Colman said during her acceptance speech.
“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.”
She started her firm Pippa Colman & Associates in March 2001 in Maroochydore, having lived and worked on the Sunshine Coast for most of her life. Receiving the award in what was its 20th anniversary year, Ms Colman said she was privileged to have known “many, many wonderful women lawyers”.
The 2026 finalists are:
• Jillian Barrett – Maurice Blackburn
• Leah Nicole Cameron – Marrawah Law and Advisory
• Kristan Conlon – McCullough Robertson Lawyers
• Caroline Snow – Dentons
• Sara Margaret Sugars – Wallace & Wallace Lawyers.
The 2026 QLS Excellence in Law Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, 22 August, at The Star Brisbane. Limited tickets and tables are still available. Registrations close 5pm, Friday 14 August, unless sold out.
View the full list of 2026 QLS Excellence in Law Awards finalists here.
Share this article