The First Nations Solicitor of the Year Award celebrates and highlights an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander practitioner for their leadership and contribution to justice outcomes for First Nations people in Queensland. Through their work, they have demonstrated a passion for the advancement of First Nations people and their communities and their commitment to change and advocacy has resulted in meaningful impacts on the legal rights and interests of the First Nations people in Queensland.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
  • be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
  • hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
  • be a full member of QLS
  • be Queensland-based.
• Nominees are to meet the following two criteria:
  • be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
  • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.
• Required with the nomination:
  • a brief curriculum vitae (no more than 2 pages)
  • Two referees (one referee must be from community)
  • A short bio
  • Headshot in jpeg format.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Outstanding achievement (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate outstanding achievement in a field of legal endeavour.

Commitment to advancement (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate a passion and commitment towards the advancement of First Nations people and communities in Queensland.

Leadership (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate leadership and substantial involvement in advocating for the rights of First Nations people and communities in Queensland within the legal sector.

Commitment to change (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate a commitment to change, and advancement of First Nations people legal rights and interests in Queensland.

Highlighting exceptional results in study and contribution to improved justice outcomes for First Nations communities, the First Nations Student Award recognises a law student with passion, dedication and positivity. Whilst establishing the foundations of a future career, this student also has a focus on how they can use their legal knowledge to help advance First Nations people and their communities.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate law degree at a Queensland tertiary institution and:
  • they must have completed at least four semesters of their law qualifications
  • they must have maintained full-time or part-time study load
  • they must have maintained a consistent academic achievement in legal study.
• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and
  • nominee must be Queensland-based.
• Nominees are to meet the following two criteria:
  • be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
  • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• The nominee has not previously won this award.
• Required with the nomination:
  • a brief curriculum vitae (no more than 2 pages)
  • Two referees (one referee must be from a Queensland tertiary institution the nominee is presently enrolled in and one referee must be from community)
  • Biography and Headshot

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Community Commitment (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate relevant extra-curricular activities and involvement in First Nations communities that demonstrate a substantial involvement to the advancement of First Nations peoples in Queensland (e.g.: pro-bono work, volunteering, student placements, mentoring work)

Promotion of First Nations people (marked out of 10)
Nominee must have a commitment for further professional development and involvement in promoting First Nations people and communities.

Outstanding academic achievement (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate outstanding achievement in a field of academic endeavour. Items to take into account are additional family and community commitments

Leadership (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate leadership and substantial involvement in advocating for the rights of First Nations people and communities in Queensland.

The award recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment and professionalism of an Accredited Specialist in the Queensland legal profession.

Nominees will be Accredited Specialists who have a demonstrated commitment and contribution to the QLS community of Accredited Specialists through leadership, education to the legal profession, and promotion and awareness of the Specialist Accreditation brand.

The award will be open to those whose accreditation is aligned with the speciality areas of accreditation for that year. In 2020, the award is open to Accredited Specialists in:

• Personal Injuries
• Criminal Law
• Business Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Workplace Relations Law
• Immigration Law.

The Outstanding Accredited Specialist Award will be presented to the winner at the Specialist Accreditation Christmas Breakfast with the Chief Justice.

Note: Due to impact of COVID-19, Queensland Law Society did not offer all of the above programs for the 2020 accreditation year.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:

• be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
• hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
• be a full member of QLS
• be a current Accredited Specialist, for at least three years, in at least one of the six areas of:
• Personal Injuries
• Criminal Law
• Business Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Workplace Relations Law
• Immigration Law.
• be Queensland-based or demonstrate the impact their contribution has made to the Specialist Accreditation Scheme in Queensland.
• Nominees must be of good character.
• Nominations are reviewed by the judging panel and the Society's Regulation and Professional Development departments and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre.
• The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) a review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members.
• Members of the Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist Board or Committees
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees.
• Teams or firms. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Leadership (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has shown outstanding leadership and high achievement in their area of accreditation.

Contribution (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has significantly made a personal and professional contribution in their area of accreditation.

Education (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has significantly contributed to the education of the legal profession within their area of accreditation. This may include publishing papers, mentoring, presenting at conferences and other speaking engagements.

Awareness (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has demonstrated a proactive commitment to building the Specialist Accreditation brand and added to the perception of the Scheme within the legal profession in Queensland.

Lawyers have a special responsibility for upholding the rule of law which thereby underpins peace, order and security within society. The President's Medal distinguishes an individual at the pinnacle of their career who goes above and beyond to uphold the core values of our profession. This award recognises an experienced legal practitioner who has shown great integrity, courage, and responsibility through their commitment to continual improvement of the profession and of themselves.

The President's Medal will be presented to the successful candidate by the President of Queensland Law Society at the 2021 Legal Profession Dinner.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
  • be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
  • hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
  • be a full member of QLS for at least five years
  • be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Legal competence (marked out of 10)
The nominee has an exceptional track record for maintaining standards of competence and for displaying and understanding the complexities that the modern legal system is facing. They show a steadfast responsibility in advancing the profession by developing competencies to meet those challenges.

Service to the community (marked out of 10)
The nominee demonstrates significant personal and professional service or support to the Queensland community that may have been recognised nationally or internationally. This could be through:

• their outstanding contribution to access to justice
• the implementation of a Queensland or national legal policy or legislation.

Personal integrity (marked out of 10)
The nominee shows excellence in their day-to-day work, instilling confidence within the profession and the community at large so much so that they are highly valued by their profession and community.

Professional commitment beyond the call of duty (marked out of 10)
The nominee demonstrates outstanding leadership attributes evidenced by vision, empathy, adaptability and their commitment to bringing these attributes to assist the profession and thereby inspiring others.

This award is named after Queensland's first admitted female solicitor - Agnes McWhinney. An ordinary woman who broke new ground - an accidental hero. In the tradition of its namesake, this award recognises a woman who has facilitated a pathway in the profession for those around her. It also recognises how their ordinary commitment and service to the profession or community has an extraordinary effect.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
• be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
• hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
• be a full member of QLS
• be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Breaking ground (Marked out of 10)
Demonstrate how the nominee has facilitated a pathway, in the profession, that allows those around her to excel. For example through:

• mentoring junior practitioners
• developing new ways, technology, processes or methods that revolutionise ordinary practise
• supporting organisations that contribute to community welfare
• significant service or support for women in the profession.

Ordinarily extraordinary (Marked out of 10)
Demonstrate how the nominee shows excellence in their day-to-day work so much so that they are highly valued by their profession and community.

Leadership (Marked out of 10)
Nominee demonstrates outstanding leadership attributes including examples of how they have been able to adapt and thrive in the profession and thereby inspire others.

Fidelity (Marked out of 10)
Nominee demonstrates their faithful commitment to the profession and serving the community.

This award recognises two individuals in our legal community—one from private practice and one from legal assistance, government or not-for-profit sectors—who have made outstanding contributions to improving fair and equal access to justice for all through advocacy, leadership, innovation and influence. They have demonstrated a passion and commitment for access to justice and/or pro-bono activities, leading to better outcomes for individuals and/or communities.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• This award is open to all solicitors (who are members of the Society) making a contribution to access to justice for individuals and communities.
• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
  • be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
  • be a member of QLS (full membership)
  • be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Contribution (marked out of 20)
Nominee demonstrates outstanding contributions to improving access to justice in the community and/or for individuals.
This can encompass a wide range of activities including:

• offering services pro bono or low-bono to individuals and community organisations
• being a Legal Aid preferred supplier
• volunteering for community legal centres and similar services
• advocacy for the access to justice needs of the vulnerable in the community
• developing innovative service models to fill the access to justice gap
• leadership to inspire, encourage and develop legal assistance and/or pro-bono services
• making a career in the access to justice sector, for example working at a Community Legal Centre, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Centre, Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, Legal Aid service or charity.

Impact (marked out of 20)
Nominee can demonstrate the impacts and outcomes of their contribution to access to justice. This may be from a key access to justice initiative or it may be from a sustained record of service in the delivery of services to clients and/ or the community.

Professional excellence (marked out of 5)
Nominee demonstrates professional excellence in legal practice through examples of quality legal services and embodies the values of the Society in their interactions with clients and other organisations.

Leadership (marked out of 5)
The nominee shows outstanding leadership, influence or innovation to enhance the provision, management and delivery of legal services within their organisation, CLC and/or community.

The QLS Emerging Leader Award encourages and supports emerging lawyers on their journey in the field of law. It recognises a high-performing practitioner with outstanding leadership attributes and a thirst for knowledge and improvement. The award seeks to acknowledge the contribution of an emerging lawyer who has displayed an exceptional aptitude for the practice of law and has actively contributed to the profession in a meaningful and impactful way.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• To be eligible for this award, you must be:
  1. a person admitted to legal practice in Australia who has been in practice for a period of five years or less; or
  2. a person who is 35 years of age or under before 31st December 2020.
• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
  • be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
  • hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
  • be a full member of QLS
  • be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members, Queensland Law Society Council members, Queensland Law Society Future Leaders Commiteee members or Queensland Law Sociey employees are not eligible for nomination
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Performance (marked out of 10)
The nominee has demonstrated an outstanding level of performance at work over the past 12 months in a manner that sets them apart from other lawyers of similar experience.

Leadership (marked out of 10)
The nominee shows outstanding leadership and high achievement in a field of legal endeavour that benefits the profession and/or community.

Personal and professional contribution (marked out of 10)
The nominee demonstrates a personal and professional contribution to community access to justice that has great impact and benefit, in addition to their usual responsibilities.

Significant benefits to Queenslanders (marked out of 10)
The nominee demonstrates how their specific involvement on selected matters contributed to its overall success and/or delivered significant benefits to Queenslanders.

Professional commitment beyond the call of duty (marked out of 10)
The nominee shows attributes of an emerging leader evidenced by their vision, adaptability and commitment to enhancing the reputation of the profession within the community

The award recognises a regional practitioner who exhibits an outstanding commitment to their local profession and community. Their significant contribution personally and professionally has a positive impact on their community, instilling confidence and enhancing the reputation of the profession in their region. An individual whose professional excellence and fidelity inspires others in their region.

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligibility

• Practitioner must be based outside of the Brisbane City Council Local Government Area (LGA).
• A map outlining the Brisbane City Council LGA can be here.
• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations) and:
  • be an individual (organisations can nominate an individual)
  • hold a current practising certificate issued by QLS
  • be a full member of QLS
  • be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members.
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Teams or firms are not eligible. This award is open to individuals only.

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Award criteria

Contribution and impact (marked out of 10)
Nominee demonstrates significant contribution to their region personally and professionally. This can encompass a range of activities or initiatives for example (but not limited to):

• educating and informing their community about their rights and responsibilities under the law
• offering pro-bono services or improving access to justice for their community
• commitment to reconciliation within their community or workplace culture and diversity
• supporting organisations that contribute to their community's welfare.

Nominee can demonstrate the impacts and outcomes of their significant personal and professional contributions to their region.

Implementation of reform of a Queensland or national legal policy (marked out of 10)
Nominee has implemented or contributed to a reform of a Queensland or national policy or legislation that delivers significant benefit to their region.

Professional excellence (marked out of 10)
Nominee demonstrates professional excellene in their day-to-day legal practice, instilling confidence within their local profession and community.

Enhanced the perception of the legal profession (marked out of 10)
The nominee shows outstanding leadership and influence. So much so that their actions have enhanced the perception of the legal profession within their community.

The award recognises a commitment to equity, diversity and wellness initiatives, events and/or activities. The award is presented to one legal practice of any size and one individual, who promotes sustainable, healthy workplace cultures in the profession and embraces workplace diversity and inclusion in a meaningful way.

There will be two winners for this category:

one individual winner

one organisational winner

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Eligibility

Eligible

• Individual nominees must be nominated (no self-nominations).
  • Organisations can nominate an individual
  • Nominee must be a QLS member
  • Individual nominees can be from a government organisation
  • Individual nominees can be part of an in-house legal team.
• Nominated organisations must be a non-government legal practice of solicitors in Queensland, and may include community legal centres.
• Nominations of organisations must be endorsed by the managing partner/director (or equivalent) of the legal practices who must be a full member of Queensland Law Society (QLS).
  • 75% of practitioners in the nominating organisation must be full members of QLS.
• Nominees must be Queensland-based.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award in the past three consecutive years.

Not eligible

• Judging panel members
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.

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Award criteria

Criteria for organisations

Positive impact and outcomes (marked out of 10)
Nominee must demonstrate the positive impact on the workplace as a result of the partners/directors and staff adopting and embracing the organisation's policies and initiatives. This could be demonstrated through quantitative (e.g. workplace metrics, survey results) or qualitative (e.g. staff testimonials) evidence.

Implementation of equal opportunities and a sustainable, healthy, positive workplace culture (marked out of 10)
Nominees must describe one particular initiative and the associated events and/or activities that support equal opportunities, positive culture, wellbeing and the lifestyle needs of a diverse workforce, such as:

• a commitment to reconciliation
• gender, LGBTIQ+, disability, ethnicity and other initiatives and programs
• pro-bono program
• flexible work arrangements
• mental health and wellbeing initiatives

If the nominee is/are the Queensland-based office/s of an interstate or national firm, the nomination specifically highlights Queensland-based initiatives.

Education (marked out of 10)
The nominee demonstrates education of partners and employees in relation to key issues relating to diversity & inclusion, discrimination, unconscious bias, positive workplace behaviours and healthy work culture.

Summary (marked out of 10)
The nomination must include a 100 word summary of the legal practice's key initiatives for use by QLS in promotional material associated with the awards and the completed nomination form.

Optional: Attachments
The nomination may include up to two pages (pdf) of supporting material and evidence, e.g. testimonials, published articles or similar.

Criteria for individuals

Description of initiative and impact (marked out of 20)
The nominated individual must have successfully promoted diversity and inclusion, positive culture or wellbeing in the legal profession, whether by way of:

1. Effective and innovative initiative(s) within the workplace to generate positive change
2. The individual's activities in the wider profession and/or the community.

This may include:

• a commitment to reconciliation
• gender, LGBTIQ+, disability, ethnicity and other initiatives and programs
• pro-bono program
• flexible work arrangements
• mental health and wellbeing initiatives

Summary (marked out of 20)
The nomination must include a 100 word summary of the individual's key initiatives for use by QLS in promotional material associated with the awards and the completed nomination form.

Optional: Attachments
The nomination may include up to two pages (pdf) of supporting material and evidence, e.g. testimonials, published articles or similar.

This award recognises and rewards outstanding activities in the prevention of domestic violence in Queensland. The award recognises the contribution, commitment and professionalism of an individual in the Queensland legal profession who has worked in this space.

The award encourages those who have a demonstrated commitment to addressing domestic violence and advocated for change within workplaces, through fundraising, academia, the legal and/or social systems.

Nominations for this award will open in mid-late 2020.

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Judging panel

The judging panel for the 2019 Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate Award includes:

The Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC Immediate Past President, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland and Chair, Legal Aid Queensland Board

Nicky Davies
Acting CEO, Legal Aid Queensland

Bill Potts
President, Queensland Law Society

Kay McGrath
Chair, Qld State Government Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council

Deborah Awyzio
Queensland Law Society Domestic and Family Violence Committee Chair

Angela Lynch AM
CEO, Women's Legal Service

Ms Rebecca Treston QC
President, Bar Association of Queensland

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Eligibility for individuals

Eligible

• Must have a Bachelor of Laws degree or higher.
• Nominee must be nominated (no self-nominations).
• Only individuals can be nominated.
• Organisations can nominate an individual.
• Nominee does not have to be QLS member.
• Nominee must be Queensland-based.
• Open to barristers and members of judiciary.
• Nominee must have long term commitment to domestic violence prevention advocacy for a minimum of three years.
• Nominees must be of good character. Nominations are reviewed by Queensland Law Society's regulation division and the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre. The due diligence will include (but is not limited to) legal review of the nominee's disciplinary history.
• The nominee has not previously won this award.

Not eligible

• Women's Legal Service Queensland Management Committee or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Queensland Law Society Council members or employees are not eligible for nomination.
• Judging panel members are not eligible.

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Award criteria

Creating change (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee demonstrates outstanding leadership, contribution, service delivery and/or innovation addressing domestic violence in Queensland.This may include how the nominee has demonstrated:

• improving systems, processes and programs to increase efficiency and to maximise the reach for people experiencing domestic violence, and/or ensuring the needs of the most vulnerable are met
• enhancing quality of services
• research and contribution to literature on domestic violence
• development of policies, programs and initiatives
• fundraising to support delivery of services to people experiencing domestic violence
• community awareness raising.

Advocacy (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has advocated on domestic violence and its prevention to the legal and or broader community in Queensland. This may include how the nominee has demonstrated leadership and enacted a proactive approach to domestic violence prevention advocacy within their "creating change" action/s.

Prevention (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee can articulate the intended impact of the domestic violence prevention work and can demonstrate that the work was undertaken to have a positive impact. The impacts of such domestic violence prevention work can take years to be measured, therefore the focus will be on the intended impacts.

Awareness (10 marks) (500 word limit)

The nominee has demonstrated long-term and proactive commitment to domestic violence prevention. The activities must have been enacted for a minimum of three years and may include proactive strategies to raise awareness of the "creating change" activities listed above.