To say Danielle McLachlan has learned the ropes in the legal profession may be an understatement.
The newly admitted Results Legal solicitor has worked hard over the past decade, going from a legal secretary to conveyancing assistant, paralegal to senior paralegal before joining more than 90 others at the April admission sitting in Brisbane.
Although not immediately setting her sights on a law degree and admission, Danielle’s career plan unfolded at the commercial law firm and came to fruition on 27 April.
“I initially fell into the legal industry straight out of school rather than setting out with a clear plan to practise law,” she revealed.
“What started as an entry‑level role quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed. Over time, I found myself increasingly engaged with the work, particularly the problem‑solving and the responsibility that comes with supporting matters in a meaningful way.
“That enjoyment, combined with the opportunity to keep learning and progressing, led me to gradually work my way into a senior paralegal role and ultimately decide to pursue admission myself.”
Danielle enjoyed sharing the sense of achievement in the Banco Court.
“Admission can feel like such an individual and often stressful process, so being surrounded by others who had reached the same milestone made it feel very grounding,” she said.
“It was also incredibly special to look out and see family, friends and colleagues who had supported me throughout the journey.”
Those colleagues included Principal Anna Taylor who Danielle asked to move her admission because “of the friendship and support she has given me over the past eight years whilst working at Results Legal”.
“She has been there for me professionally and personally throughout my journey in the law. Anna is not only a great friend, but also an excellent lawyer whose work ethic, integrity and approach to practice I genuinely admire.
“She is someone I aspire to be like in my own career, which made it incredibly meaningful to have her move my admission.”
Anna said moving Danielle’s admission “felt significant on a number of levels”.
“It wasn’t just about marking a professional milestone, it was about recognising the path she’s taken to get there,” she said.
“Standing alongside her in that moment, you’re very aware of the work, persistence and resilience that sit behind it. It is always a great reminder for me that these admissions aren’t just ceremonial, they represent years of effort and quiet determination.”
Anna said working with Danielle over the past eight years has been “incredibly rewarding”.
“I’ve seen her grow from early on into a senior paralegal who genuinely owns her role,” she said.
“She has built confidence, judgment and presence over time, and now leads matters with a calm assurance that comes from experience. Being alongside that progression has been something I’m very proud of.
“It isn’t the first admission I’ve moved, but it I am always honoured when I get the opportunity to do so. Being part of Danielle’s journey, mentoring her over time and building such a strong relationship made this admission feel deeply personal.
“You don’t just see the end result, you see the years of growth, the challenges along the way, and the person she’s become through it all. Being able to stand beside her at that moment was an absolute privilege and one of my biggest career and life highlights to date.”
Danielle’s new goal is to continue building strong technical skills and confidence in practice, particularly in commercial litigation.
“Looking further ahead, I hope to keep growing as a well‑rounded practitioner and to be someone who can support and mentor others coming through the profession, just as I’ve been supported,” she said.
“Above all, I want to practise in a way that is thoughtful, ethical and genuinely helpful to clients.”
Admitted on 27 April before the Chief Justice, Justice Boddice and Justice Brown were: Hangodi; Horne; Dawe; Humphreys; Nazari; Litchfield; Vayro; Jones; Passaris; Bower; Just; Williams; Kelly; Jespersen; Shewring; Findlay; Robertson; Newton; O’Hara; Bell; Bithar; Kolf; Ngo.
Hanekom; Collingwood; Oglivie; Hodge; Noy; Ren; Lin; Bonutto; Debellis; Faulkner; Schmidt; Gardener; Clarke; Burke; Gardiner; Barnett; Peach; Vreeken; Rawlins; Harvey; Ryan; Adamson; Evans; Harkin.
Behrens; Staveley; Munro; Acutt; Ellis; Dadds; Roberts; Sandhu; Crews; Reeves; Baig; Melville; Housley; Hassan; Wessling-Smith; Galvin; Doyle; Eschler; Parish; Tam; Kelada; Allan.
Hassett; David Fili; Ferguson; Shannon; Nguyen; Pathikirikorale; Warburton; Barling; Devereux; Gutta; Thompson; McConnell; McLachlan; Bond; Faizer; Iverson; Stamatiou; Jangani; Knight; Lynis-Huffenreuter; Moulton-Harris; Hyland; Grevett.
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.
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