Friends and colleagues Lola Robinson and Billie Smith have celebrated some important milestones together and this week they were admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland on the same day.
The JCL Law Partners graduate law clerks also both chose Managing Director and Queensland Law Society Committee Member James “Jim” Conomos to move their Monday admissions at Banco Court, where they joined more than 80 other new solicitors.
And Billie also helped ensure Lola’s admission paperwork was filed.
The colleagues also attended university together.
“The admission ceremony was an enjoyable day,” Lola said. “I remember feeling proud of myself for finally finishing my lawyer qualifications after a long road of study, and it felt like a privilege being amongst other hard-working graduates.
“It was special to be admitted into the legal profession the same day as my co-worker Billie Smith, because we graduated university together and have developed a great friendship.
“Another notable memory was the Chief Justice Bowskill delivering a very kind speech about the importance of both working hard and looking after ourselves during our career.
“I would also like to thank my manager Justine Fletcher for kindly supporting me as an undergraduate for the past two years, and Billie for filing my admission papers while I was overseas and overall being a big support.”
Billie agreed that the admission sitting was a memorable occasion which she was happy to share.
“I remember feeling relieved that it was finally happening, as the lead-up to admission can be stressful at times. I was grateful that a lot of my family came to the ceremony to support me,” Billie said.
Billie with her certificate.
“I was also happy that I got to watch and congratulate Lola on her admission. As well as working together, we have gone through university and our practical legal training together, so it was nice that were both able to be admitted on the same day.
“In high school, I knew that I wanted to study law and eventually become a lawyer. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who was a lawyer and therefore wasn’t aware of all that was involved, however, it was still something that always something that appealed to me.
“Now that I have had experience in the profession, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else, it is a career that I am sure will be filled with challenges but one that I am certain I will find rewarding.
“I still have so much to learn, so I am excited to expand my knowledge across many different areas of law. I am hoping that my work will be able to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Lola said she was drawn to the justice aspect of the profession and hoped to make a difference in people’s lives.
Lola after the admission ceremony.
“I picked law because it focused on written English and communication. I had never studied law before in high school, but my best subject was English and my worst was maths,” Lola said.
“I also enjoyed choosing a more academically challenging degree that could open pathways into different career options.
“For now I would like to develop my skills as a Lawyer at JCL Law Partners and learn as much as possible so that I may have a successful career.”
And both are learning from their peers and mentor Jim, who was honoured to move their admissions.
“It is always a great privilege to be able to move a lawyer’s admission and this was special as both Billie and Lola started at the firm during their degrees,” Jim said.
“I enjoy mentoring at all levels and to see the growth that Billie and Lola have achieved prior to admission has been very rewarding.
“Their legal journey so far has been similar. Lola joined JCL Law Partners (previously James Conomos Lawyers) in May 2022 and Billie joined in September 2022. They both worked as research clerks whilst completing their studies at QUT.
“Following this, they attended College of Law for their PLT whilst working full time as graduate law clerks. They even work together on matters under supervision.
“They both have bright futures ahead of them and I look forward to continuing to mentor them and see their continued growth as solicitors.”
Lola said Jim was very supportive during her time studying PLT.
“He was consistently asking how it was going and providing flexibility during work hours to prioritise study when it was required,” Lola said.
“Jim has also been invaluable in providing mentorship, always demonstrating patience and helpful feedback. Overall he has been an inspiring lawyer to work for over the past two years with a wealth of experience and knowledge.”
Billie said she had been at the firm for just over two years and throughout that time Jim had helped her learn more about the profession.
“He has given me several opportunities to gain practical experience and has supported me throughout my university studies and practical legal training, all of which I am grateful for.”
Admissions on 8 October, before the Chief Justice, Justices Flanagan, Freeburn and Crow: Ryan; Dalling; Mackie; Wood; Tasker; Roebuck-Eyles; Shooter; Mannion; Roberts; Wyatt; Draper; E Kelly; Brown; Carlyon; Chien; Bauers; S Gray; Messina; Kwon; Craike; McGovern; Bambling; Mousa; Thorsby; Arribas; Msabah; Murray; Smith; Laman; Fry; M Kelly; Chiswell; Cavanough; Rufus; Snegovaya; Wilkinson; Roggeveen; A Sullivan; Chatterley; Prosvirnova; Clayton; Keevers; Camilleri; Grasso; Law; Hall; Butlin; Hyden; Mount; Jumeau; Kliendienst; Erichsen; Van Wyk; Evans; Saddozai; Robinson; McCall; Walker-Blatch; Micallef; Bridge; Alam; Boileau; Caruso; Bray; Townsend; Day; Arora; Hanna; Hunt; Dolma; Rawat; Lee; Crause; D Gray; Thefs; Melo; T Sullivan; Traucnieks; Nyandwi; Denniston; Leeson; Freeburn; Chai; McIntosh-Rogers; Gill; Tongia; Gibson; Acuil; Joice.
Proctor looks to celebrate all newly admitted solicitors and congratulate them on this significant achievement. Firms or individuals can email details to proctor@qls.com.au along with a quality head-and-shoulders image or images from admission sittings.
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