Paralegal Jayme-Lee Alderman had not stepped inside a courtroom or worn business clothes for a long time, but on 26 June after two years of maternity leave and remote work, her admission day finally arrived.
The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability and Child Safety paralegal officer was one of seven newly admitted lawyers before Justice Johnstone at the Townsville Courthouse.
“The admission ceremony was a day filled with excitement and nerves,” she said.
“I hadn’t stepped foot in a courtroom for several years, nor had I worn professional attire in quite some time, as I’ve been working from home and spent most of the past two years on maternity leave,” she said.
“My dad flew up from Sydney, and my partner’s family took time off work to attend, which made the day even more special.”
A working mum, Jayme-Lee wanted to share her day with her children who shared her excitement.
“I brought my 10-month-old and two-year old with me, and I was quite anxious about how they would behave in the courtroom,” she revealed.
“At one point, my family had to take the children outside because they were giggling and making noise while His Honour Justice Johnstone was speaking.
“To my surprise and relief, His Honour paused and reassured us that children are welcome to express their emotions and should be part of such a joyous occasion.”
After time away from the court, Jayme-Lee looked around at the other soon‑to‑be lawyers and wondered if they also felt admission-day nerves.
“I remember looking around at the other lawyers about to be admitted, wondering if they felt as nervous as I did,” she said.
“I was so worried I might stumble over my words while affirming. Despite my nerves, it was a truly memorable and heartwarming day.
“It was a bittersweet feeling knowing that four years of a uni degree, many sleepless nights and tight deadlines, and one year of completing practical legal training while pregnant and looking after a baby led to this.
“All seven of us walked away admitted as lawyers after that very special, short 45-minute ceremony.”
Jayme-Lee’s career choice was straight-forward driven by personal experience.
“I’ve always been drawn to the law, particularly in the area of youth justice and child protection. Initially, I wasn’t entirely sure what specific role I wanted to pursue, so I decided to complete a Bachelor of Laws degree to explore my options,” she said.
“After completing my degree, I achieved my dream job of working in a youth detention centre. However, after having children, I realised that working 12-hour shifts wasn’t sustainable for me or my family.
“While on maternity leave, I decided to take the next step and be admitted as a lawyer to broaden my career opportunities. My passion for youth justice stems from my own experiences growing up in a split home and facing challenges that many others don’t have to endure.
“Having been exposed to the child safety and youth justice systems myself, I made a promise to help vulnerable young people facing similar struggles. This commitment has been the driving force behind my decision to pursue a career in law.”
And when it came to moving her admission she looked to a family member, Heidi Avolio, who is Helix Legal Director, to move my admission.
“Having her by my side on this special day was a meaningful experience. It felt incredibly personal and significant to have a family member play such an important role in the ceremony, making it a true family celebration,” Jayme-Lee said.
“Since I completed my work experience remotely, I didn’t have the opportunity to build the kind of connections with lawyers that might have led to them moving my admission. However, I couldn’t be happier that Heidi was able to do it. It’s a moment we’ll always cherish and one that will come up in family conversations for years to come.”
Jayme-Lee is currently working in the child protection space, and I would love to use her skills and knowledge in her role.
“I am deeply committed to using the law as a powerful tool to protect, empower, and advocate for those who need it most,” she said.
“My goal is to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families.
“I carry with me the memory of every person who made a positive impact on my life when I was a vulnerable child.
“Their kindness and support inspired me to pursue a career where I can do the same for others. I hope to be a source of guidance and strength for those navigating the challenges I once faced, and to contribute to creating a more just and compassionate society.”
Townsville admissions on 26 June: Bronte Florence, Maggie Bell, Lillian Williams, Jordain Speechley, Ashleigh Ryalls, Leah Cooke and Jayme-Lee Alderman.
Townsville admissions on 22 May: Grace Heisrath, Patrick Willis, Isabella Tomkinson and Melise Cetinkaya.
Cairns admissions on 19 June: Hae Min Weon and Mirkala Thierauf.
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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