As a student at Corinda State High School, Ashley Dykstra was inspired by her cousin Bianca Ponting to study law.
And today they stood together at the Banco Court, Brisbane, as Ashley was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland, along with more than 60 others, and Bianca was her mover.
The then high schooler and now Norton Rose Fulbright graduate found her older cousin’s stories “interesting” then was accepted into the Queensland University of Technology in 2016.
Ashley also worked as an analyst for Deloitte and is “open” to areas of law after her admission.
Bianca was the first in the family to enter law and always “had an eye for a good debate”.
Fourteen years after starting out in law, Bianca was described by family members supporting Ashley at the court today as a “good role model”.
It was Bianca’s third time as a mover but today was “the most special”.
Also in the court were Justice Mullins, President of the Court of Appeal, who was supporting her Associate Vivian Zhang, and Acting President of the Land Court Stilgoe for her Associate Dean Cosgrove.
Chief Justice Bowskill said today was the “culmination for hard work and dedication” for the newly admitted solicitors.
She said “fundamental obligations” applied no matter which path the lawyers chose to take.
“Another thing which applies no matter which path you decide to take is the higher duty that we owe as lawyers to service of the community,” she said.
“One of the important elements of the rule of law is the ability of all to have equal access to justice.
“Lawyers have a role to play with judges in protecting and maintaining the rule of law, and in doing so encouraging the public to have trust and confidence in the courts and the judiciary, and also in ensuring members of the community can have access to justice.
“You are privileged to have the knowledge and the skills that you now have and there are great professional achievements that await you.
“But never forget that in the legal profession, service is the ideal.
“So please do what you can to ensure your services are accessible, whether that is through pro bono work or through your paid work, and do what you can, when you can, to help those who are less fortunate in our society to make life a little bit better for those vulnerable people.”
Proctor has have introduced a section called Admissions. We are looking to celebrate all newly admitted solicitors and congratulate them on this significant achievement. Please email details to proctor@qls.com.au. Ensure you include some details of your current role, along with a quality head-and-shoulders image.
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