The Womens Lawyers Association Queensland

Dear Colleagues,

Since 1978, WLAQ has successfully brought women lawyers together representing and advocating for their interests in Queensland. As an association we provide opportunities for the development and advancement of women in the legal profession and seek to foster the growth of a collegial spirit among women in the legal profession.

As the incoming President of WLAQ, it is my great pleasure to welcome and introduce to you the new Women Lawyers Association of Queensland Committee for 2013/2014. The Committee is as follows:

Kylie Hillard, Barrister at Law — Vice President

Rachael Taylor, Solicitor, Mackenzie Mitchell Solicitors — Vice President

Gerowyn Schuster, Lawyer, Herbert Geer Lawyers — Secretary

Bree MacLeod, , Solicitor, DCS Global — Social Secretary

Nichola Di Muzio — Accredited Family Law Specialist – Treasurer

Lauren Costanzo, Law Student, McCullough Robertson Lawyers — Student Representative

Kathryn Finlayson (immediate past president), Senior Associate, Minter Ellison Lawyers — Ordinary Member

Susie McNeil (past president), Barrister at Law — Ordinary Member

Ann-Maree David, Chief Executive Officer, The College of the Law Queensland — Ordinary Member

Kara Cook, Solicitor, Women’s Legal Service — Ordinary Member

Amelia Trotman, Senior Associate, Michael Lynch Family Lawyers — Ordinary Member

Yvette Kobayaty, Solicitor – Ordinary Member

Kate Denning, Senior Associate, McCullough Robertson Lawyers — Ordinary Member

Emma Forbes, Lawyer, Norton Rose — Ordinary Member

Anita Clifford, Criminal Lawyer, Queensland Government — Ordinary Member

Elena Sgorlon, Volunteer, Pender &Whitehouse Solicitors — Ordinary Member

I am very fortunate to have the support of such a talented group of women who bring a diverse range of experience, which I believe will greatly benefit our members and the community.

I am honoured to have been elected as President of this prestigious association and am determined to continue WLAQ’s work for the betterment of women in law. WLAQ is committed to promoting the interests of women in the legal profession through a range of activities including:

• networking with other legal professionals;
• liaising with other peak women’s bodies, in the business and academic sectors;
• mentoring junior members of the profession; and
• lobbying on behalf of women in the legal profession.

The Committee is currently preparing WLAQ’s 35th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner which will be held on Saturday, 19 October at Brisbane’s City Hall. This night will mark WLAQ’s 35th anniversary and is set to be a wonderful evening. It will provide an opportunity and structure to recognise the extraordinary achievements of women in law and a vehicle to fund our efforts in advancing women in law. We encourage you to ‘save the date’ and consider nominating one of the many outstanding women in law in Queensland.

Your support helps to fund WLAQ’s advocacy efforts and events such as our Queensland Women Lawyer of the Year Awards Dinner, the Una Prentice Awards, the Women at the Bar networking event, panel discussions and breakfast seminars on matters directly affecting women in law. These are regular features in our events calendar. Our ability to continue to represent the women in law in Queensland, their interests and issues, depends on the contributions of our members.

WLAQ will continue to develop initiatives in programs and events to benefit members, women in law and women broadly. We sincerely hope that you will become more involved this year and encourage your friends and colleagues to join and experience the benefits that WLAQ offers. Visit our website wlaq.com.au/membership for further details about our membership options.

I welcome your comments and suggestions to help strengthen WLAQ.

Every good wish.

Natalia Wuth

President