Cairns principal Trevor Hauff made light of receiving his 25-year recognition pin at the Queensland Law Society President’s Dinner last week.
“I don’t know if longevity is the basis for an award, but having said that, as we well know, it’s a bit of a battlefield out there, and we are survivors, so on that basis, I’ll take the award,” he said to laughter at Crystalbrook Riley Cairns last Friday.
Mr Hauff was one of three Cairns practitioners recognised for reaching the milestone, alongside WGC Lawyers Director John Hayward and MacDonnells Law Partner Luckbir Singh.
Mr Hayward, who serves as a QLS Senior Counsellor and member of the Ethics Advisory Committee, said it was a privilege to be part the profession and to have so many colleagues he counted as friends and advisors.
Mr Singh, who received the QLS Outstanding Achievement by a Young Lawyer award in 2008, said his both his colleagues and his clients kept him motivated.
“I think in any profession, if you’re going to be practising for a long period of time, we each individually find a purpose, enjoyment,” he said.
“And it’s once we know what that looks like, that we continue to flourish and do the things, day in day out.
“And for me, that’s always been about people.
“I’m hoping that the younger practitioners in the room can find their own purpose and enjoyment, and the beauty of the legal profession is that there’s so many ways to practise law, to enjoy law and to do law.”
QLS President Peter Jolly addressed the audience of almost 60.
“I have been privileged as president this year to meet many members who call regional and rural Queensland home,” Mr Jolly said.
“It has given me a great insight into the work being done across the breadth of our state.”
Mr Jolly pointed to the establishment of the Regional, Rural and Remote Committee this year.
“The committee is an opportunity to ensure the needs, perspectives and challenges of practitioners in regional, rural and remote Queensland are reflected in our policy development, advocacy and service delivery,” he said.
“There is no substitute for hearing directly from those working in regional communities, and we are excited about the contribution the committee will continue to make in ensuring those voices are represented.”
Mr Jolly mentioned the contributions to the Society’s work made by every attendee.
“Every contribution is very much appreciated, and we are very pleased to have this opportunity to publicly thank you for the significant and selfless contribution that you all make,” he said.
Cairns District Court Judge Tracy Fantin delivered a toast to the profession.
A President’s Dinner was also held in Townsville the night before, where Townsville Magistrate Jessica Keir was awarded a QLS honorary membership.
Townsville District Law Association President Adrienne Hollis addressed the crowd of 60 at the Rockpool Pavilion, and Townsville District Court Judge Chris Kahler delivered a toast to the profession.
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